The Volkov lab are interested in understanding the role of mechanical forces in regulation of cell division. In particular, we investigate molecular mechanisms of generation and sensing of forces at the kinetochores, multi-protein complexes that form at the centromeric regions of chromosomes and regulate cell division. The PhD project will focus on reconstitution of force-generating kinetochore-microtubule attachments in vitro, and studying these attachments using cutting-edge microscopy methods. The lab has established methods and equipment to probe the stoichiometry of force-transmitting multivalent oligomers of kinetochore proteins using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. We also have access to sample preparation and data collection facilities for cryoEM and cryoET, enabling us to study the structures of force-generating microtubule ends and molecules binding to them.
We are a small and collegiate research group, please find the information about current members on our website: www.volkovlab.com. We are located in the Biochemistry Department of SBBS, with access to all necessary research infrastructure. In particular, we take advantage of Protein Production facility and Insect Cell facility to express and purify high-quality protein complexes. We also use cutting-edge fluorescence microscopes located at the Centre for Cell Dynamics, including a TIRF/FRAP microscope, and a super-resolution SIM microscope. We use the cryoEM facility on campus to prepare samples for cryoET, and we have access to data collection equipment via the LonCEM consortium. The PhD student will be trained by the PI and the group members in all techniques relevant for the project.
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
We are looking for candidates to have or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology or a related discipline.
Previous experience with protein biochemistry, or microscopy methods (either fluorescence or electron) would be highly advantageous but are not required.
You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 1st March 2025. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.
Please find further details on our English Language requirements page.
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 29th January 2025 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Vladimir Volkov AT v.volkov@qmul.ac.uk Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL 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 with the support of the supervisor.
For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.
Apply Online