PhD Studentship: Alternative splicing regulation by snRNA modifications

Overview

This full-time, fixed-term PhD studentship investigates the regulation of alternative splicing by snRNA modifications. The research takes place at the University of East Anglia within the School of Biological Sciences, based on site in the United Kingdom. The project focuses on how spliceosomal snRNA modifications regulate RNA splicing, utilizing molecular biology, genetics, and RNA sequencing to examine gene-specific splice site choice and transcript isoform expression in Caenorhabditis elegans and human cells. The student will join Dr Alper Akay's group in collaboration with the groups of Dr Wilfried Haerty and Dr James Smith. The start date for the position is 1 October 2027.

Who can apply

Funding is available to UK applicants.

What you get

The successful candidate receives funding that comprises home tuition fees and an annual stipend for three years. The current institutional PhD stipend rate is £21,805 per annum, which is subject to an agreed inflationary uplift for the 2027 and 2028 period. The project is part of a competition for a Faculty of Science funded studentship within an RNA epigenetics laboratory supported by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the standard minimum entry requirement of a 2:1 degree in biological sciences, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a relevant discipline. The project is suited for students interested in RNA biology, biochemistry, and RNA sequencing analysis.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 24 February 2027. The program begins on 1 October 2027.