The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.
You will join a thriving and expanding multidisciplinary group of photosynthesis researchers, currently including 5 PIs and their research teams. Prof Mullineaux's group currently includes 3 PhD students and 2 postdocs working on aspects of photosynthesis and cell biology of cyanobacteria. We have access to state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopes, plus full facilities for molecular biology, biochemistry and spectroscopic measurement of photosynthesis.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.
This project will offer specific training in microbiology, molecular genetics, bacterial cell biology, biochemistry, fluorescence microscopy and image analysis. Many of the techniques that you will learn are applicable across a broad spectrum of the biosciences.
Cyanobacteria are a widespread and ecologically crucial phylum of photosynthetic prokaryotes. Their cell structure is unusually complex for bacteria. In addition to the plasma membrane and the outer membrane typical of Gram-negative bacteria, nearly all cyanobacteria have thylakoid membranes, a complex internal membrane system which houses the photosynthetic light reactions. The plasma membrane and the thylakoid membranes house very different sets of proteins, but the mechanism that sorts different proteins into different membranes remains unclear.
We need understand this process both for insight into the evolution of thylakoid membranes and to enable precision engineering of cyanobacteria for solar-powered biotechnology. Our recent work based on visualising the location of specific mRNA molecules in cyanobacterial cells suggests that specific features of the mRNAs may be crucial for directing protein synthesis to a specific membrane, and highlights the role of a family of RNA-binding proteins in controlling mRNA location. The aim of this project will be a definitive experimental test of our concepts. You will make mutants with altered mRNA structures and probe for effects on the subcellular location of the mRNA and the protein that it encodes.
This studentship is open to students applying for China Scholarship Council funding. Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses for 4 years and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must be:- Chinese students with a strong academic background.- Students holding a PR Chinese passport.- Either be resident in China at the time of application or studying overseas.- Students with prior experience of studying overseas (including in the UK) are eligible to apply. Chinese QMUL graduates/Masters’ students are therefore eligible for the scheme.Please refer to the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English Language ability. Please see our English Language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Prof Conrad Mullineaux at c.mullineaux@qmul.ac.uk
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 31st January 2024 for consideration, including a CV, personal statement and qualifications. You must meet the IELTS/ English Language requirements for your course and submit all required documentation (including evidence of English Language) by 14th March 2024. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements. Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship by in March 2024 with the support of the supervisor.
Only applicants who are successful in their application to CSC can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme. For further information, please go to: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/items/china-scholarship-council-scholarships.html
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1. Mahbub M, Hemm L, Yang Y, Kaur R, Carmen H, Engl C, Huokko T, Riediger M, Watanabe S, Liu L-N, Wilde A, Hess WR, Mullineaux CW (2020) mRNA localization, reaction center biogenesis and thylakoid membrane targeting in cyanobacteria. Nature Plants 6: 1179-1191. 2. Mahbub M, Mullineaux CW (2023) Locations of membrane protein production in a cyanobacterium. J Bacteriol. in press