PhD Studentship - Investigating the mechanisms of mitophagy.

Location: Highfield Campus

Closing Date:  Monday 13 March 2017

Reference: 834017BJ

PhD Studentship – Investigating the mechanisms of mitophagy.

PhD Supervisor: Dr David Tumbarello                             

Application Deadline: 13 March

Interviews will be held in late March or early April

PhD Description: 

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship working in the laboratory of Dr David Tumbarello within Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton. The project will investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of an essential cellular degradation pathway with broad implications in many diseases from Parkinson's to cardiomyopathies. This specialised cytosolic pathway known as autophagy plays a crucial role as the cell's rubbish bin, which degrades unwanted or damaged components within the cell. This studentship project will investigate the mechanisms of a selective form of autophagy, known as mitophagy, which effectively degrades mitochondria following damage. This will involve interrogating the function of key protein complexes, implicated in regulating vesicular trafficking and cell signalling events, during mitophagy and determining how they regulate this process. These details are important to ascertain because the mitochondria is prone to substantial damage throughout life and therefore efficient degradation of these damaged  organelles is essential to maintain the healthy state of the cell and to limit production of harmful products that would otherwise lead to cell death.

This project will utilise cell biology approaches, combining molecular biology, biochemical and advanced microscopy techniques to investigate the mechanisms of mitophagy and its relationship to disease. The project will utilise both established cell models and patient-derived cell lines to delineate the role of essential protein complexes in regulating this process. This will entail using siRNA and gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, to interrogate protein function and localisation studies to understand spatiotemporal regulation of this process. We are looking for an enthusiastic person interested in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of vesicular trafficking and cell signalling, while having an interest in the relationship to disease phenotypes.

The project is funded for 4 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain at least an upper second class degree in Biological Sciences or allied subjects. Funding will cover fees and a stipend at current research council rates of £ 14,533 per annum for 2017.18 entrants.

Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK/EU applicants

Applications for Biological Sciences should be submitted online at:

https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Login?pos=4973&majr;=4973&term;=201718  Please place David Tumbarello’s name in the field for proposed supervisor.

General enquiries should be made to Dr David Tumbarello at D.A.Tumbarello@soton.ac.uk.  Any queries on the application process should be made to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

The University of Southampton and Biological Sciences both hold an Athena Swan Silver & Bronze Award, respectively, demonstrating their commitment to provide equal opportunities and to advance the representation of women in STEM/M subjects: science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.   Due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break.  University benefits include onsite childcare facilities, state-of-the-art on-campus sports, arts and culture facilities, a full programme of events and a range of staff discounts.