About the Project

We are looking for a PhD student with strong computational skills interested in structural bioinformatics, and infection biology. The PhD project will be supervised by Dr. Gorka Lasso at the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Transplantation at UCL. Dr. Gorka Lasso, the primary supervisor, holds a joint appointment in the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Transplantation and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology.

The Lasso lab works at the intersection of computational biology and virology. The lab applies computational approaches—including structural bioinformatics, network biology, and machine learning—to study sequence-to-structure-to-function relationships in viral and host proteins that drive infection by (re)emerging zoonotic viruses.

About the role

How do viruses rewire host cells during infection, and can AI help us predict these interactions at scale? This PhD project will develop next-generation computational approaches to identify pathogen-host protein-protein interactions (PPIs) using advances in machine learning and structural biology.

This project will develop a new computational method to predict pathogen-host protein-protein interactions (PPIs) by integrating recent developments on AI and structural bioinformatics. The student will implement computational tools, analyse large-scale biological datasets, and collaborate with other computational and experimental researchers.

About you

The project offers an opportunity to gain research training in AI, structural bioinformatics and computational biology, one of the fastest growing areas in biology today.

We are looking for a motivated and committed individual who is excited to contribute to advances in structural bioinformatics and computational biology. We will consider students from a STEM discipline (e.g. computer science, physics, biochemistry, chemistry…) and provide training as necessary to work in the interdisciplinary environment required. However, willingness to engage in advanced computational methods is essential. Experience with programming and Linux/Unix environment would be advantageous.

Desirable skills include:

• Programming experience (Python, or similar)
• Experience working in Linux/Unix environments
• Familiarity with biological data analysis
• Interest in machine learning and structural biology
• Strong quantitative and problem-solving skills

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for Home fee status. You must have (or about to be awarded) a First or Upper Second (2.1) Bachelor and/or Masters level degree in a relevant subject.

Application process

Please prepare a single PDF document in the following order:

• A covering letter outlining motivation, interest, and suitability for this project
• CV / resume
• Contact details for two academic referees

What we offer

This is a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship funded by the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Transplantation at UCL. The studentship covers tuition fees at home rate, and a non-taxable annual stipend of £24,643 per year.