disease, and rare developmental diseases) and to genetic engineering, where we study how mutations change gene expression and RNA splicing.
MAVEs depend on being able to screen thousands of variants in one experiment, which is typically done using DNA barcodes. However, many mutations act at the protein level, for example by changing protein abundance or protein binding, and these effects are hard to capture with a DNA-level readout. To study them, we aim to develop a protein barcoding technology for MAVEs. Starting with a library of Green Fluorescent Protein genes available in the lab, we will design a collection of protein barcodes, integrate them into our genes, and analyse barcode levels with quantitative mass spectrometry. After validating the barcode analysis technique, we will apply it to gene and protein engineering, including context-dependent codon optimization and engineering of a therapeutic protein for increased stability.
This 4 year PhD project is part of a competition funded by EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). Detailed guidance on the application process, and the EASTBIO Application and Reference Forms can be found at How to Apply | Biology.
Please send your completed EASTBIO Application Form along with a copy of your academic transcripts (as a pdf) to student-admin@igc.ed.ac.uk. You should also contact your referees and ask them to submit their references (on the EASTBIO reference form template) to student-admin@igc.ed.ac.uk by the application deadline of 16th November 2026.
Funding Notes
This opportunity is open to UK and international students and provides funding covering stipend and UK level tuition fees. The University of Edinburgh covers the difference between home and international fees meaning that the EASTBIO DTP offers fully-funded studentships to all appointees. There is a cap on the number of international students the DTP recruits. It is therefore important for us to know from the outset which fees status category applicants will fall under when applying to our University.
Please refer to the UKRI website and Annex B of the UKRI Training Grant Terms and Conditions for full eligibility criteria.
