About the BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (YBDTP):
The YBDTP brings together world-class bioscience research and innovation, as well as excellence in doctoral supervision, across the Yorkshire and Teesside region. The YBDTP will fund postgraduate researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside forming a strong regional training partnership. In YBDTP you'll benefit from a regional doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to enable you to develop a range of research skills in biological, biotechnology and biochemical areas as well as equip you with core data analysis and professional skills that are necessary for bioscience research and related non-academic careers.
https://www.yorkshirebiosciencedtp.ac.uk
Project Description:
Biomolecular condensates are crucial organisers of cellular biochemistry and hence physiology. Paraspeckles are stress-responsive nuclear condensates dysregulated in human diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration and infectious diseases. In contrast to most phase-separated assemblies, paraspeckles are highly ordered, with their size and structure dictated by the properties of the scaffolding RNA molecule. Paraspeckles represent a unique model system for the studies of condensate assembly and function. Recent work from the supervisors' labs has uncovered novel molecular principles of paraspeckle assembly and dysregulation in human disease, such as neurodegeneration and viral infections. However, so far, structural studies of paraspeckles have been limited to fluorescent imaging approaches with a ~100 nm resolution limit. Going beyond this limit and dissecting the single molecule-level organisation of paraspeckle complexes should answer important questions of paraspeckle biology and pathology.
Methodology: The internal structure of paraspeckle complexes formed in different cellular contexts will be interrogated by cryogenic Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (cryo-CLEM). This will be performed utilising cell models with fluorescently labelled paraspeckle complexes, neuronal models with altered paraspeckle states, and models with virally induced paraspeckle-like structures. Structural studies will be performed in the Sheffield cryoEM facility and the Diamond Light Source.
Aims:
1. Establish a pipeline for ultrastructural analysis of paraspeckles using cryo-CLEM.
2. Build a structural (cryo-EM based) model of the canonical paraspeckle condensate.
3. Characterise the ultrastructure of non-canonical paraspeckles such as those formed in virus- infected cells.
4. Characterise changes to the ultrastructure and stoichiometry of paraspeckle complexes elicited by physiological and pathological conditions.
In addition to cryo-EM, the student will gain experience in mammalian cell culture, RNA biology, advanced imaging and disease modelling (neuronal and viral infection cell models). This project is an excellent opportunity for a flexible and open-minded student to gain scientific knowledge that may become transformative for the field.
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Tatyana Shelkovnikova (t.shelkovnikova@sheffield.ac.uk)
Link to website: https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/people/academic/neuroscience/tatyana-shelkovnikova
Eligibility:
Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.
You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, we welcome applications if your background is in any biological, chemical or physical science or mathematics and are interested in using your skills in addressing biological questions. International students should check if they meet the entry requirements for the host university.
We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a very limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme.
The YBDTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.
English language: If English isn't your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. Please see the English language requirements for the host university.
How to apply:
Application deadline: 5pm (UK time), Wednesday 7th January 2026
To submit your application, click on the link to the Expression of Interest form (also found in the Funding Notes section) of any of your chosen projects. You can apply for up to two YBDTP projects (which can be at different universities).
If you have any questions about the application process, please email YBDTP@leeds.ac.uk
If you have any questions about the project you are interested in, please email the project supervisor.
How we allocate:
Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. If you're shortlisted, you'll be invited for an interview on a date to be confirmed in February 2025. You'll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.
Terms and conditions:
The studentships are fully funded for four years, and you must complete your PhD in four years.
You'll receive the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular installments. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax free and does not need to be paid back.
International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa, NHS health surcharge, travel insurance and travel to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.
