PhD Studentship: Label-free Method for Real-Time Dynamics of Membrane Proteins

Closing Date: 1^st June 2025

Supervisor: Dr Manish Kushwah

Prospective Start Date: 1 October 2025 

At Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME), 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. 

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact p.r.knobbs@aston.ac.uk, AIME Manager for a chat. 

This three-year studentship offers a comprehensive support package, including fees, a tax-free annual stipend of £20,780 a travel and conference budget, and a generous consumables budget. 

This position will be based on the Aston Campus in Birmingham, UK.

Background: 

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are essential for cell function and represent ~60% of all drug targets, yet fewer than 5% of disease-related IMPs have effective therapies. IMP characterisation and therapeutics development remains challenging due to the presence of hydrophobic, transmembrane domains (TMDs) which requires IMP solubilisation from bilayers using non-physiological membrane mimetics such as detergents, polymer nanodiscs.

To perform IMP oligomerization and protein interactions in physiologically relevant bilayers, this project is leveraging dynamic mass photometry (DMP)—a label-free, single-particle technique capable of measuring both mass (protein interactions) and diffusion (protein-membrane affinity) of membrane-bound proteins with high accuracy. 

Project Aims: 

1. Develop IMP-compatible cushioned supported bilayers.
2. Establish protocols for IMP membrane insertion and interaction analysis using DMP. 

To develop cushioned bilayers, we will use polymer synthetic route to suspend bilayers over polymeric cushion (CBs). CBs characterised by enhanced lipid diffusion will be studied using fluorescence microscopy and DMP.  For IMP insertion, aquaporins, GPCRs, and viral proteins will be used as model protein systems and IMP delivery into CBs using various membrane mimetics will be explored. 

Training Opportunity: 

The project provides an excellent opportunity for candidates with prior practical experience in microbiology, biochemistry, neuroscience. Candidates with physics or physical chemistry background and interest in uncovering physical principles that govern membranes and IMP interactions are welcome to apply.  

Candidates will get hands-on experience in polymer chemistry, protein expression and purification, enzymatic assay, IMP biology, fluorescence microscopy and mass photometry. Candidates will receive full support and training to build a strong foundation for careers in academia or industry. 

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:

• A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1. 

OR 

• A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher.

Qualifications from other countries which are considered by Aston University to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply. 

Desirable experience includes theoretical knowledge of biochemistry, microscopy, enzyme kinetics and lipid bilayers. Practical experience with microbiology and protein expression and purification is desirable but not necessary. Candidates with physics and physical chemistry are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of coding and image analysis is desirable but not necessary. 

As well as supporting documents, applications must include 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. 

Apply for this position via the 'Apply' button above.

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