With ever-increasing demand to feed our growing global population, engineering proteins to optimise carbon fixation may deliver step changes in our ability to grow more efficient and more productive crops.

The role: The aim of this project is to develop a new type of engineered protein-based organelle that could increase the efficiency of carbon fixation by the enzyme Rubisco, starting by prototyping protein designs in vitro and in E. coli, before porting the highest performers into plant chloroplasts.

In addition, there will be fundamental research opportunities to engineer these cage-like proteins (encapsulins) to control their shape, porosity, and assembly - with diverse downstream applications ranging from drug delivery to heavy-metal remediation.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work on a highly topical area and within a world-class research team. The project is to be conducted within the School of Chemistry at the University of Sydney (top 30 in the world), along with our expert plant biology collaborators at the Australian National University.

The candidates: Applicants must have been awarded or must be completing a first-class undergraduate degree with a high grade (>85% Honours in Sydney, or equivalent Master degree etc.) in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related fields. Applicant must have at least 1 year of research experience, or be completing a degree that contains at least 1 year of research as part of their studies (equivalent to an Honours degree in Sydney).

The scholarship is available to Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, as well as international students with a Master degree (or equivalent) from a reputable university (ranked in the top 400 in the world).

Contact: For more information, please contact Assoc. Prof. Yu Heng Lau.

Send your CV and academic transcripts by email, along with a clear succinct explanation of why you are interested.

Closing date: Always taking applicants

With ever-increasing demand to feed our growing global population, engineering proteins to optimise carbon fixation may deliver step changes in our ability to grow more efficient and more productive crops.

The role: The aim of this project is to develop a new type of engineered protein-based organelle that could increase the efficiency of carbon fixation by the enzyme Rubisco, starting by prototyping protein designs in vitro and in E. coli, before porting the highest performers into plant chloroplasts.

In addition, there will be fundamental research opportunities to engineer these cage-like proteins (encapsulins) to control their shape, porosity, and assembly - with diverse downstream applications ranging from drug delivery to heavy-metal remediation.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work on a highly topical area and within a world-class research team. The project is to be conducted within the School of Chemistry at the University of Sydney (top 30 in the world), along with our expert plant biology collaborators at the Australian National University.

The candidates: Applicants must have been awarded or must be completing a first-class undergraduate degree with a high grade (>85% Honours in Sydney, or equivalent Master degree etc.) in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related fields. Applicant must have at least 1 year of research experience, or be completing a degree that contains at least 1 year of research as part of their studies (equivalent to an Honours degree in Sydney).

The scholarship is available to Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, as well as international students with a Master degree (or equivalent) from a reputable university (ranked in the top 400 in the world).

Contact: For more information, please contact Assoc. Prof. Yu Heng Lau.

Send your CV and academic transcripts by email, along with a clear succinct explanation of why you are interested.

Closing date: Always taking applicants