BBSRC DTP Studentship Applications
PhD Studentship Positions
Project 1: Single-molecule dissection of mitochondrial, bacterial and chloroplast electron transfer complexes with atomic force and cryo-electron microscopies
Prof Matt Johnson (Sheffield), Prof Jamie Blaza (University of York), Dr Andy Hitchcock (Sheffield)
How does life move electrons? Every breath you take, and every calorie a plant captures, depends on electron-transfer reactions between tiny mobile carrier proteins and the large membrane machines of respiration and photosynthesis. Many of these machines cluster into ‘supercomplexes’, and cells that cannot form them are less fit, yet why supercomplexes matter has remained a mystery, because conventional methods only measure averages over billions of molecules.
This PhD will change that. Using a newly developed single-molecule atomic force microscopy technique, together with fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy and cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy, you will watch individual carrier proteins meet, bind and hand over electrons to their partner complexes, one encounter at a time. You will build novel supercomplexes in the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides using CRISPR genome editing, then ask whether re-arranging these machines can make electron transfer faster and more efficient.
You will be trained across biophysics, structural biology, biochemistry and molecular genetics, working between the Sheffield Photosynthesis Research Group (Prof. Matt Johnson and Dr Andy Hitchcock) and the York Structural Biology Laboratory (Prof. Jamie Blaza), with access to world-class single-molecule and cryo-EM facilities. You will join a large, diverse and supportive research community, present at national and international meetings, and complete a professional placement (PIPS).
The work addresses fundamental questions about the rules of life while pointing towards real-world applications: new antibiotic and therapeutic targets, more productive crops, and light-powered cell factories for fuels and medicines. We are looking for a curious, motivated student, excited to master state-of-the-art tools and to answer one of the longest-standing questions in bioenergetics: what supercomplexes are actually for.
Project 2: Designing de novo protein biomaterials for solar energy capture and quantum sensing
Prof Jenny Clark (Sheffield), Dr Andy Hitchcock (Sheffield)
Photosynthesis is one of nature’s most successful processes, efficiently capturing sunlight and converting it into useful energy. Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence now make it possible to design entirely new proteins from scratch, opening exciting opportunities to create biological materials with novel functions.
This PhD project will combine machine learning protein design, synthetic biology, and advanced spectroscopy to develop a new generation of artificial light-harvesting proteins. Building on recent breakthroughs in de novo protein design and biomolecular modelling, the project will use state-of-the-art tools such as RoseTTAFold, RFdiffusion, AlphaFold 3, and LigandMPNN to create proteins that bind natural and synthetic pigments with tailored optical properties (1-3).
The student will design, produce, and characterise new protein-chromophore complexes, investigating how protein structure controls energy transfer, fluorescence, and other photophysical processes. The project combines computational design with experimental work, including protein engineering, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and ultrafast laser techniques. There will also be opportunities to develop biohybrid materials by integrating engineered proteins with organic semiconductor chromophores.
This is a highly interdisciplinary project suitable for students interested in structural biology, synthetic biology, biophysics, photochemistry, or materials science. The successful candidate will receive training in cutting-edge computational methods, molecular biology, and advanced spectroscopic techniques while working within a collaborative research environment spanning biosciences, physics, chemistry, and engineering.
This project will provide new insights into how nature harvests light, and may contribute to future applications in sustainable energy, biotechnology, biosensing, and advanced photonic materials. The student will join an internationally connected research team with expertise in protein design, photosynthesis, spectroscopy, and biomolecular engineering, offering opportunities in many biotech applications.
1.DOI: 10.1126/science.adl252
2.DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6c00166
3.DOI: 10.1039/d6sc01202g
Project 3: Imaging the ionic landscape of a living cell: how Chlamydomonas coordinates photosynthesis, carbon fixation and respiration
Prof Jamie Blaza (University of York), Prof Luke Mackinder (University of York), Prof Matt Johnson (Sheffield),
Are you fascinated by how life powers itself and grows at the nanoscale? This PhD offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate the 'ionic landscape' of the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using state-of-the-art cryo-EM and specialised ‘focused ion beam’ technology that subjects nanometre-sized volumes in the cell to detailed mass spectrometric analysis, called ‘cryo-FIB-SIMS’ (Ochner et al, Nat Methods, 2026).
In this project, you will pioneer a transformative approach, mapping the distribution of ions between organelles, within living cells, in different growth modes. You will reveal how organelles coordinate carbon fixation, photosynthesis and respiration to balance the cell’s energy demands. And you will obtain insights into how Chlamydomonas is such a powerful organism for green biotechnology, informing efforts to engineer algae for more efficient biofuels and carbon capture applications.
This PhD is highly interdisciplinary, bridging biophysical imaging with algal cell biology. You will gain hands-on expertise with cryo-FIB-SIMS, volume imaging, and high-resolution cryo-ET. Developing a unique skill set at the intersection of biophysics and cell biology will equip you for a career in academia or the rapidly evolving biotechnology sector.
About the BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (YBDTP):
The YBDTP brings together world-class bioscience research and innovation, as well as excellence in doctoral supervision, across the Yorkshire and Teesside region. The YBDTP will fund postgraduate researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside forming a strong regional training partnership. In YBDTP you'll benefit from a regional doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to enable you to develop a range of research skills in biological, biotechnology and biochemical areas as well as equip you with core data analysis and professional skills that are necessary for bioscience research and related non-academic careers.
https://www.yorkshirebiosciencedtp.ac.uk
Eligibility:
Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.
The YBDTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, we welcome applications if your background is in any biological, chemical or physical science or mathematics and are interested in using your skills in addressing biological questions.
We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a very limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme. International students should check if they meet the entry requirements for the host university.
English language: If English isn't your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. Please see the English language requirements for the host university
Entry requirements | University of Sheffield.
Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.
How to apply:
Application deadline: 5pm (UK time), Wednesday 6th January 2027
To submit your application, click on the link to the Expression of Interest form in the Funding Notes section of any of your chosen projects. You can apply for up to two YBDTP projects (which can be at different universities).
If you have any questions about the application process, email YBDTP@leeds.ac.uk.
If you have any questions about the project you are interested in, email the project supervisor.
How we allocate:
Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. If you're shortlisted, you'll be invited for an interview on a date to be confirmed in February 2027. You'll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.
Terms and conditions:
The studentships are fully funded for four years, and you must complete your PhD in four years.
You'll receive the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax free and does not need to be paid back.
International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa, NHS health surcharge, travel insurance and travel to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.