Defining the Membrane Protein Folding Rulebook

About the Project

If a suitable candidate is found, this project will close before the stated deadline. Please be sure to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

At Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence, we are passionate about equity diversity and inclusion, and are dedicated to cultivating a diverse cohort of PhD researchers from a range of academic backgrounds

AIME is a first-of-its-kind institute that synergistically combines world-leading expertise in membrane biology and novel polymer chemistries. No other institute in the global research and innovation landscape has the platform, potential or promise for major breakthroughs that AIME heralds.

We are focussed on recruiting and training female scientists in this exciting multi-disciplinary arena, acknowledging current gender disparities. All AIME PhD projects feature:

• Flexible working.
• Comprehensive mentorship for all students.
• Supported opportunities for secondments in international labs.
• Diverse scientific and transferrable skills training, equipping all graduates for leading roles in academia or industry.

If you have any questions, please contact AIME Manager Paul Knobbs at p.r.knobbs@aston.ac.uk

Project Summary

AlphaFold has transformed our understanding of protein structure, but how proteins fold during synthesis remains elusive. In this unique project, you will capture structural snapshots of human membrane proteins as they fold into bilayers, combining advanced bioanalytical approaches with real-time measurements to identify the key molecular players and mechanisms involved.

Project Details

Membrane proteins are essential for cell signalling, transport, and drug targeting, yet how they fold correctly during synthesis remains poorly understood. This fully funded PhD will investigate the cotranslational folding of membrane proteins, a fundamental process with important implications for misfolding and disease.

This interdisciplinary Leverhulme Trust project will combine native nanodisc technology, proteomics, lipidomics, and biophysical methods to isolate and study membrane‑bound ribosome–nascent chain complexes from human cells. By examining how nascent polypeptides interact with lipids, chaperones, and the translocon, the work will reveal key mechanisms governing membrane protein folding and integration.

Surface‑enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) will monitor membrane protein folding in real time during in vitro translation. Coupling cell‑free expression with synthetic bilayers or nanodiscs enables direct observation of structural changes as nascent proteins fold and insert into membranes, linking molecular interactions identified by multiomics with dynamic folding behaviour. SEIRAS will be conducted in collaboration with researchers at King’s College London (KCL).

The student will be based in AIME and work in newly established membrane‑protein research laboratories. Training will include advanced mass spectrometry, membrane biochemistry, and structural biology, using state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation such as the Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid mass spectrometer at AIME and SEIRAS facilities at KCL.

Objectives

• Produce snapshots of membrane proteins folding on the ribosome and purify in their natural setting so we can study their physical properties.
• Understand the environment in which these proteins fold, using biochemical tests and advanced analytical techniques.
• Examine the protein intermediate structures to see how certain factors affect how they fold.
• Follow structural changes as they happen in real-time to better understand the process.

Supervisory team

Dr Grant Pellowe

Dr Ivana Milic

Dr Alice Rothnie

Prof. Paula Booth

The project offers training in interdisciplinary approaches spanning biochemistry, proteomics, lipidomics, and membrane biophysics, while maintaining strong collaborative links between Aston and KCL, and would suit a student with a strong interest in molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology or mass spectrometry.

Person Specification

Applicants should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree in a relevant subject with a 60% or higher weighted average, and/or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution).

Any Desirable / Essential Skills or Experience

Essential Skills:

• A strong background in biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, or a related discipline
• Practical laboratory experience in biochemistry
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently & collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
• Strong written & verbal communication skills.

Desired Skills:

• Previous experience with molecular biology and cloning; mammalian tissue culture; recombinant protein expression and purification (including membrane proteins); use of copolymer technologies; SDS-PAGE and Western blot; protein reconstitution into synthetic lipid systems; cell-free expression systems; mass spectrometry; and development of protein activity assays

Location

This position will be based on the Aston Campus in Birmingham. The successful candidate will need to be located within reasonable distance of the campus and will be expected to visit in person regularly. SEIRAS instrumentation is located at King’s College London. The candidate would need to regularly travel between Birmingham and London to undertake experiments.

Interviews

Interviews will be conducted in person at Aston University where possible. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.

Submitting an application

We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected.Your application must include:

1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
2. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count.
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience.
4. A Curriculum Vitae (Resume) which details your education and work history.
5. Two academic refereeswho can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary.
6. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage.
7. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Apply for this position here

Funding Notes

This project covers the home tuition fees and includes an annual stipend of £20,780. International applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees each year.

Please note that the successful candidate will be responsible for any costs relating to moving to Birmingham and/or visiting the Aston campus. International students must meet the financial requirements for the visa, flights, and NHS Surcharge. Applicants should be confident that they can meet these costs before applying.

Further information can be found here: Financial Requirements | Aston University