Three Marie Curie Ph. D Studentships in Biophysics, Molecular Modelling, and Mathematical Biology
The University of Warwick
United Kingdom
Closing date: 19th April 2013Gross Pay
62000 euro per year (includes mobility allowance; paid in pounds sterling, subject to UK tax deductions)
Start Date
1st September 2013
Description
Three interlinked projects that focus on Bacterial Cell Division.
- The first project aims to construct a meso-scale analytical and numerical physical model to describe the responses of the membranes to forces exerted by FtsZ and associated divisome proteins. Combined force and kinetic modelling of the process of cell membrane constriction using data from state-of-the-art EM, optical and force microscopy and spectroscopy will be undertaken. A final aim is to extend the theory to interactions between the inner and outer membrane.
- This project has an experimental and a theoretical component. Mass spectrometric imaging, optical microscopy, and spectroscopic methodologies will be used to identify co-location and orientation of molecular structures and membrane components (lipids and proteins). Molecular dynamics and course-grain modelling will be used to understand the atomic-level organisation of molecular complexes in and at membranes on the scale of 10-100 nm with time resolution in the milliseconds.
- Prokaryotes are subject to stringent selective pressure to optimize biomass yield in the face of changing ambient conditions. Key is the availability of the substrates required to support the cell's metabolic activities. Various kinds of molecular machinery capture and assimilate these substrates and channel them into core metabolism. Which allocation of investment (i.e. the relative copy numbers of the various types of machinery) gives the best growth yield? This project aims to investigate this fundamental problem using mathematical models, based on available data.
Eligibility
Applicants are expected to have a BSc or an MSc in physics, physical chemistry, mathematical biology or equivalent subject and must have less than 4 years' research experience. Applicants may not be citizens of the UK, and must not have resided, worked, or studied in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment.
Training Programme
The work will be carried out as part of a European Marie Curie Initial Training Network that involves regular meetings and timely delivery of results. The student will visit and collaborate with both an academic and an industrial partner by means of 3-month visiting researcher placements, and will participate in planned training events and workshops covering topics such as team working and leadership, business, intellectual property, industrial biotechnology, and science communication.
Equal Opportunities
The University of Warwick is committed to the principles of the Athena Scientific Women's Academic Network and the HR Research in Excellence agenda.
To Apply
go to http://www.go.warwick.ac.uk/pgapply, select the MOAC Doctoral Training Centre PhD programme F1P7 and state ``CAS-IDP" under the heading ``funding".
Info and Contact
a.rodger@warwick.ac.uk
**Mention you saw it on the AustMS website**