PhD Studentship: Visualising How Plants Make Rubisco

Primary Supervisor - Dr Michael Webster 

Increasing the photosynthetic capacity of crops is a promising strategy to meet the urgent global demand for increased food production. Central to various efforts to increase crop yield through improved photosynthetic capacity is the carbon-fixing enzyme Rubisco. Given its importance, surprisingly little is known about the molecular mechanisms of gene expression that support production of Rubisco and thereby maintain photosynthetic activity. In this project, we will investigate how translation in the chloroplast allow plants to produce Rubisco. We will also explore the question of how Rubisco expression is selectively activated or repressed in different cell types of C4 plants.  

This exciting project will employ a variety of cutting-edge methods. Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) will be employed to visualise the structure of gene expression complexes. Biophysical methods, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR), will be used to measure molecular interactions of proteins with other proteins and with RNA. Proteomic methods and biochemical assays will be employed. These discoveries will support the long-term effort to better control photosynthetic output and timing for improved crops and biotechnologies. They will also shed new light on fundamental biological questions of how genes are read, and the evolutionary relationship between chloroplasts and bacteria.  

The student will be trained in diverse and transferrable scientific skills. Special attention will be given to training in cryo-EM, a speciality of our team that represents an increasingly powerful method of visualising large and dynamic molecular machines. National and international conference attendance is expected. The JIC hosts a wealth of expertise in plant biology, gene expression mechanisms, and structural biology, and is therefore an excellent research environment for this project.  

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2025 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP CASE students undertake a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic partner during their study. The placement offers experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply.  

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 28, 29 or 30 January 2025.  

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. 

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information 

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2024/5 stipend rate: £19,237), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship. 

Closing Date: 25 November 2024 (at 11.59 pm)

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