The University of Cambridge in the UK is inviting applications for the International PhD Studentship in Molecular Mechanisms of piRNA-guided transposon silencing in 2020.
Project details:
The Hannon laboratory has a long-standing interest in small RNA biology. In recent years, the lab has focused on the study of the PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in Drosophila melanogaster. The piRNA pathway is an RNA-based immune system that protects the germline of animals from uncontrolled transposon mobilization, thus safeguarding genome integrity. Their lab has pioneered this field, being amongst the first describing the pathway, carrying out large-scale genomic screens to identify the main players and characterizing their role within the pathway.
This project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that underlie the piRNA pathway using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model. While a rough framework of the piRNA system has been established, the precise hierarchy of the events that result in silencing is not yet fully understood. This aim will be achieved by combining biochemistry, proteomics, cell biology, genomics (RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, CLIP-seq, ChIP-seq), imaging and bioinformatics and by exploiting in vitro cell culture models as well as fly genetics. Overall, this project will lie at the interface between small RNA-mediated silencing, chromatin biology and development.
Worth of Award
- This project is funded by a Cancer Research UK studentship that includes full funding for University and College fees and in addition;
- A stipend of £19,000 per annum, initially for 3 years, with funding for a further year possible as required.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria are as follows;
- No nationality restrictions apply to Cancer Research UK funded studentships.
- Applications are invited from recent graduates or final year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a first/upper second class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognized university worldwide.
How to Apply
To apply for the International PhD Studentship;
- All applications need to be made using the University Applicant Portal.
- To complete your on-line application, you need to provide the following:
- Reference Request: The names and contact details of two academic referees who have agreed to act on your behalf.
- Research: If you wish to be considered for more than one studentship, please enter the names of all of the supervisors you wish to consider your application in the ‘Research summary’ text box.
- If you only wish your application to be considered by a single supervisor, then please enter their name in the ‘Research Supervisor’ text box. Please describe your past ‘Research experience’ in the appropriate text box.
- Course Specific Questions: Your statement of interest (limit of 2,500 characters) should explain why you wish to be considered for the studentship and which qualities and experience you will bring to the role. Please also state how you learned of the studentship.
- Supporting Documents: Please upload your CV (PDF file), which should include a list of the examinations taken at the undergraduate level and if possible, your examination results.
- Please visit https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrpdmsc for further information about the course and to access the applicant portal.
Deadline: Application closes November 15, 2019, with interviews expected to take place in December/January.