Phd Student

**PhD in Bottom-up assembly of multi-compartment synthetic cells**

Do you want to design and construct synthetic life-like cells? A major goal of synthetic biology is to create life-like artificial cells from non-living components, i.e. the bottom-up approach. This exciting project will focus on designing, constructing, and testing synthetic cells with multiple sub-compartments. Just like their living counterparts (i.e. eukaryotic cells), synthetic cells with different inner compartments allow multiple and advanced functionalities.

**Possible outcomes and goals**:

- Setting-up enzymatic reactions between sub-compartments to model and understand eukaryotic cellular metabolism.

**Methods**:

- Lipid vesicle preparation
- Microfluidics
- Confocal microscopy
- Membrane protein reconstitution
- Cell-free protein expression

**Location and skills**:
The project will be carried out at the Institute for Bioengineering (IBioE) at the University of Edinburgh. The student will attain skills in microfluidics, lipid chemistry, membrane protein reconstitution, optical microscopy, as well as data and image analysis. The student will also learn various experimental techniques including microfabrication, protein preparation, lipid handling, and confocal microscopy. These skills will be essential for a student perusing an industrial career in the biotechnology sector; in addition they will be important for an academic career in Chemical or (Bio)engineering.

**Career development**:

- **Institutional and Peer Support**: you will benefit from an excellent supportive environment at the School of Engineering within the Institute for Bioengineering at The University of Edinburgh.
- **International Collaboration**: the successful student will also have to opportunity visit and interact with our network of international collaborators.
- **Impactful publications and dissemination**: the student will also benefit from strong support towards publications in world class journals (including the ACS Nano and Lab on a Chip) and participation in major conferences (including the Biophysical Meeting and the European Biophysical Congress).
- **Teaching and Research Development**: the potential student will have the opportunity (once trained and familiar with relevant materials) to become a teaching assistant for courses offered at the School of Engineering.

Further information about the lab:
Relevant publications:
Shetty, S. C. et al. (2021) ‘Directed Signaling Cascades in Monodisperse Artificial Eukaryotic Cells’, ACS Nano. American Chemical Society, 15(10), pp. 15656-15666. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04219.

Yandrapalli, N. et al. (2021) ‘Surfactant-free production of biomimetic giant unilamellar vesicles using PDMS-based microfluidics’, Communications Chemistry. Nature Publishing Group, 4(1), p. 100. doi: 10.1038/s42004-021-00530-1.

**Principal Supervisor**

Dr Tom Robinson

**Eligibility**

Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in any of these areas Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering or related discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree.

Experimental experience in one or several of the following areas would be advantageous:

- Microfluidics
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Image analysis / analysis of reaction kinetics data

Previous experience with biological samples, such as protein reconstitution, lipid vesicles (e.g. GUVs or LUVs), or cell-free expression.

Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

**Funding**

Full funding (tuition fees + stipend) is available for Home and Overseas applicants.

**Deadline**

Please note this position will remain open until filled.

**Apply**

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: £22,880.00-£62,353.01 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Work from home

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 01/09/2025