Cryo electron microscopy of the exocyst complex on membranes

• Funding – self-funded/externally sponsored applicants (PhD Fees can be found here)
• Applications are accepted year round
• Standard Entry dates – January and September
• Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline. 

Cell communication requires both a sending and a receiving cell. To send messages, Metazoan harness trafficking machinery. Yet, despite basic knowledge of the components and regulatory factors involved, we lack molecular mechanism.  

We aim to determine high-resolution structural ensembles of the human exocyst complex. This structure is required to understand functional adaptability, flexibility, and the fundamental biology of cargo delivery to the plasma membrane. This work will have high-level impact to many fields, as nearly all constitutive and specialized cargo secretion uses this machinery. Thus, we are interested in an ambitious and driven student.  

The student will emerge an expert in protein expression and purification from eukaryotic systems, large protein complex biochemistry, membrane methods, alongside hybrid structural approaches including cryo electron microscopy and tomography. We have collaboration opportunities available with international partners.  

Please do not hesitate to contact the PI, David Murray, at [email protected] if interested. 

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research.  We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.