PhD Studentship: Uncovering the Molecular Mechanisms Governing Transcription of the Protein-Coding and Non-Coding Genome

Funding amount: Funding will cover tuition fees for UK students (at the Home rate), a stipend at the UKRI rate, and a consumables budget.

This is a 3.5-year PhD studentship funded by the School of Life Sciences, starting on 1^st October 2026 under the supervision of Dr Lidia Vasilieva, School of Life Sciences. 

Project description: 

Recent technological advances have revealed a plethora of diverse long non-coding (nc) RNA molecules produced from eukaryotic genomes in addition to protein-coding mRNA. Mutations in non-coding regions of the genome and altered expression of ncRNAs underpins a number of pathologies including cancer. Yet, very little is known about mechanisms involved in production of ncRNAs preventing us from understanding their role in health and disease. Our previous work lead to discovery that in contrast to mRNAs, nc transcripts rely on distinct and poorly understood mechanisms that control their RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription. As a result, ncRNAs are non-polyadenylated and targeted by the cellular RNA degradation machinery, RNA exosome.

The PhD project aims to fill the key gaps in our understanding of the transcriptional mechanisms involved in synthesis and maturation of ncRNA. This will be achieved through the Aims 1-3. A PhD student will identify and characterise factors linked to production of ncRNA biochemically (Aim 1) and investigate how these are recruited to Pol II during transcription and how they control biogenesis of ncRNA and contribute to gene expression regulation using state-of-the-art genomic approaches (Aim 2 and 3). The lab employs several model systems including yeast, C. elegans and mammalian cells.

References:

www.vasilievalab.com

profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p634884-lidia-vasilieva

www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/research/vasilieva

1. Kus, K., Carrique, L., Fournier, M., Audin, E., Kilchert, C., Grimes, J., Urlaub, H., Schnell, J and  Vasiljeva, L. (2025) The role of DSIF factor Spt5 in coordinating Pol II processivity and Xrn2 exoribonucleolysis for timely termination of transcription. Nature Commun 16(1):10. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-55063-7.

2. Birot, A., Kus, K., Priest, E., Al Awash, A., Castello, A., Mohammed, S., Vasiljeva, L., and Kilchert,   C. (2021) RNA-binding protein Mub1and the nuclear RNA exosome act to fine-tune environmental stress response. Life Sc. Alliance, 5, 2: e202101111.

Eligibility & How to apply:

Please submit a formal application using the online admissions portal (via the 'Apply' button above) attaching a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, and two academic referees. A research proposal is not required. Instead, please upload a personal statement describing your subject areas of interest, skills and previous experience, motivation for Doctoral Research, future goals, and why you are applying to this project.

On the application system select Programme of Study – PhD Biochemistry. Please select ‘funding obtained’ and state the supervisor’s name where required.

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree. An MSc degree is advantageous. Your qualification should be in Biochemistry or a related subject area. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall or equivalent proficiency - English language requirements 

For enquiries about the application process, please email Emma Chorley: lifesci-rec@sussex.ac.uk  

Applicants are encouraged to make Informal enquiries about the project to Lidia Vasilieva at L.V.Vasilieva@sussex.ac.uk

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