PhD student position
Imperial College London - Department of Medicine
Viral modulation of host telomere chromatin
Supervisor: Dr Grzegorz Sarek
The laboratory of Telomeres & Genome Stability in the Molecular Virology Section at the St Mary’s
Campus of Imperial College London invites applications for a 3 year PhD position starting in
November 2016.
The studentship is open to both home/EU and overseas students. It includes payment of
home/EU fees and an annual stipend of £17,500. Overseas students should be able to
demonstrate adequate financial support to cover the difference between the home/EU fee
and the overseas fee.
Research:
Genome integrity mechanisms actively suppress expansion of genetic instability in cells. Several
human viruses provoke genetic instability by subverting the host's control of genome homeostasis.
Human viruses have their own specific tactics for genome maintenance, which can modify natural
host telomere structure and chromosome stability. The central goal of the project is to understand
the function of molecular events arising at telomeres and propagated in host cells upon viral
infection, the influence these have on the execution of telomere homeostasis, and how these
events contribute to the ageing of immune system, systemic inflammation, and cancer. The
student will employ a combination of genomic, molecular virology, and biochemical approaches to
examine consequences of conformational, epigenetic, and functional alterations occurring at
telomeres during viral infection. He/she will also advance established projects into animal models,
which will allow assessing virus-induced telomere dysfunction on a cellular and whole organism
level.
Techniques and responsibilities applied to this project will include, but are not limited to:
- performing a wide variety of virology, molecular biology, and biochemistry techniques (e.g. virus
production and cell infection, cloning, protein purification, telomere assays, etc.)
- using advanced microscopy techniques (confocal microscopy, single molecule methods, superresolution STORM microscopy)
carrying out data analysis, developing and planning research projects, and writing research
manuscripts.
Student profile: Applicants should be highly motivated, creative, and independent individuals with
an excellent academic record. Applicants need an upper second class honours degree. A Master’s
degree in biological sciences is preferable but not essential. Experience in biochemistry and/or
molecular biology are preferred. Experience with experimental research and with microscopy
techniques would be advantageous. Applicants must also meet Imperial College’s English
language
requirements
–
further
details
can
be
found
at
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/registry/admissions/pgenglish
Candidates must fulfil College admissions criteria. To apply, please send your CV, the names and
addresses of at least two academic referees and a personal statement of no more than 500 words
explaining your interest in the project to Dr Grzegorz Sarek [email protected]
Closing date for all applications: 30-04-2016