Elucidating Biophysics of Starch Granule Assembly (KHIMYAK_U25DTP2)

Primary Supervisor – Professor Yaroslav Khimyak 

Wheat is by far the UK’s most important crop in terms of production and wheat-based foods are a staple component of our diet. Most of the calories from wheat grains come from starch, which comprises ~80% of the grain weight.  

We still do not fully understand how starch is synthesised during grain development. Recently our team have identified a set of conserved proteins that control the number and timing of starch granules formation. By mutating the genes that encode these proteins, they have generated enormous diversity in starch granule morphology. However, how these changes affect the polymer structure and the biophysics of starch granule assembly is not understood. 

This studentship will utilise mutant starches to address the knowledge gaps in starch biosynthesis by building structure-function relationships across different length scales. The student will gain understanding on how the activity of enzyme complexes defines the chain length structures of amylopectin and amylose, and how polymer structure affects granule morphology and organisation.  

We are looking for a motivated PhD student with skills in either structural biology, biosynthesis or advanced structural tools including NMR spectroscopy willing to learn how to work across different disciplines.   

By joining an interdisciplinary team of research leaders in UEA, Quardam Institute Bioscience and John Innes Centre the student will have the opportunity to master cutting edge NMR spectroscopy, carbohydrate characterisation tools and biosynthetic approches and apply them to understand the formation of starch granules with differnet properties. As a student you will join the Norwich Research Park, one the largest concentrations of biological researchers in the UK, offering exceptional graduate research and training opportunities. This unique set of scientific and research management skills is relelavant across many areas of modern Biosiences for a successful future careeer in academia or industry. 

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2025 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP CASE students undertake a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic partner during their study. The placement offers experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. 

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 28, 29 or 30 January 2025.  

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/ 

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. 

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 or UK equivalence Master’s degree. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Mode of study

Full time

Start date

1 October 2025