UKRI Guarantee Doctoral Network Student (ArcTech)

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

A UKRI Guarantee Doctoral Network Student (ArcTech) post is available from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027. The 3-year post includes a PhD programme within the Living Systems Institute at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

The post

The Doctoral Candidate will work on a project entitled “The molecular architecture of the archaeal cell envelope” as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA DN) project called ArcTech: Harnessing the potential of Archaea Training Europe’s next visionaries for an innovative and sustainable future. ArcTech is an EU Horizon Europe funded project [grant agreement 101120407] and the UK element of the project is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee [grant number EP/Y031407/1].

The 3 year post includes a PhD programme within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and will use the research undertaken as part of their studies.

The successful candidate work in the group of Dr Bertram Daum and will employ advanced bioimaging techniques such as electron cryo-microscopy (cryoEM), electron cryo-tomography (cryoET), and super-resolution fluorescent light microscopy to generate a comprehensive view of the cell envelope across scales. The candidate will focus on the roles of surface layers, pili, and archaella in cellular communication, adhesion, biofilm formation, motility and viral infection. This research aims to provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which these structures contribute to cellular protection, motility, and biofilm development.

As part of their project, the candidate will undertake two secondments, one at the lab of Martin Pilhofer (ETH Zürich) to learn the method of cryo-FIB milling, and a second to the company Interherence (Erlangen, Germany) to learn learn advanced live-cell imaging techniques.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will possess an undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) or equivalent in a relevant science field and possess excellent communication skills. They must be eligible to be appointed as Doctoral Candidates in the UK under the EC Horizon Europe Marie-Skłodowska Curie Action, Doctoral Networks (DN) scheme. Therefore, at the time of recruitment, the candidate should;

• be a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment). Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

Salary Details

The starting salary will be a spot salary in the range from £32,332 to £38,205 per annum on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience. In addition, allowances are payable in line with the Marie Curie Horizon Europe requirements for Doctoral Candidates as follows: a mobility allowance of £5,090.58 per annum.

Additional allowances may be payable in line with Marie Curie EU Horizon Europe requirements for researchers. Salary and allowances will be paid in pounds sterling.

The University pay scale will be subject to a cost of living review each year, but you will not receive annual increments.

The successful applicant will be enrolled on a PhD and will use the research undertaken as part of their studies. There is a fee waiver in place for any successful candidate that meets the MSCA DN criteria and the University of Exeter criteria.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.
• An exand inclusive research environment at the uniquely interdisciplinary Living Systems Institute
• A vibrant PhD community at the Living Systems Institute

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

How to apply
To apply, please note that you will be asked to upload your CV and a cover letter. Please note that you will also be asked to provide references.

Further information

For further information please contact Bertram Daum, [email protected] or telephone (01392) 727455.

If you have any general enquiries about the application process, please email [email protected].

The closing date for completed applications is 12th May 2024 at 23:59 BST. Interviews are expected to take place in July.