PhD opportunity for students interested in instrument development and biophysics of virus particles

We invite applications for a 3-year PhD studentship commencing January 2025. The successful candidate will form a part of the Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry Training Network (MobiliTraIN), funded by UKRI/Horizon Europe: Marie Curie-Skłodowska Actions and led by top academic and industrial researchers in Ion Mobility – Mass Spectrometry (IM-MS).

This studentship will be hosted by Waters Corporation Mass Spectrometry Head Quarters in Wilmslow, UK (Dr Jakub Ujma, MS Research), in collaboration with the University of Manchester (Prof. Perdita Barran, Michael Barber Centre, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology). As a secondment, you will spend time at CNRS, Strasbourg, France, with Prof. Sarah Cianferani. Being based at an R&D centre of a major MS manufacturer will provide you with a unique opportunity to work alongside world-class science and engineering teams, while collaborations with other researchers within the MobiliTraIN will expose you to the frontiers of IM-MS field.

In this project, you will contribute to the development of new analytical methodologies to examine the shape and mass of macro-ions (e.g. virus particles). You will use state-of-the-art commercial instrumentation (Waters SELECT SERIES Cyclic IMS and Waters Synapt XS) as well as Waters R&D prototypes to investigate the signal stability, transmission, and separation of model species. Once the critical instrumental performance attributes are verified, further research will be undertaken to improve them as necessary. This will involve theoretical modelling of the novel instrumentation, (macro)-ion-molecule phenomena occurring in the gas phase, construction of instrument prototypes and characterisation of biologically relevant particles.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent degree in Chemistry, Physics, or Biophysics.
• Excellent data analysis, writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experience in the use and troubleshooting of mass spectrometers, with a particular focus on in-house built and prototype instrumentation.
• Experience in mechanical, electronics, and software engineering. This may include hobbyist/DIY/creative interests, such as model building, 3D printing, machining, PCB design/assembly, programming, etc.

Applicants must comply with the MSCA/UKRI mobility rule: they must not have spent more than 1 year (365 days) out of the last 3 years in the UK at the point when they are recruited to the network.

Interested candidates should email their CV, personal statement and details of two referees to: jakub_ujma@waters.com