Program Overview

Nigel Groome Studentship: Dissecting the initial stages of basal body assembly in trypanosomes

Key Facts

• Start dates: September 2025 / October 2025
• Application deadline: 12 noon, Friday 17 January 2025
• Location: Headington
• Course length: Full time: 3 years
• School(s): School of Biological and Medical Sciences
• Eligibility: Home UK/EU and International applicants
• Bursary p.a: Equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (current 2024/25 bursary rate: £19,237)
• University fees and bench fees: Will be met by the University for the 3 years of the studentship

Overview

Cilia and flagella are whip-like structures that extend from the surface of eukaryotic cells and are important for motility and sensory functions. They are constructed from microtubules which originate at a structure called the basal body/centriole which is highly conserved in eukaryotes.

Many protozoan pathogens, such as trypanosomes which cause a devastating disease in humans, also build a flagellum from a basal body. Importantly, the trypanosome flagellum is essential for its ability to cause disease, so it is vital to understand how the basal body is duplicated in these parasites.

The Vaughan lab has identified a cohort of 15 proteins including delta and epsilon tubulin that are likely involved in the early steps of basal body duplication and the characterisation of these proteins forms the foundation of this project. Ultimately, this project will transform our understanding of basal body and flagellum assembly across eukaryotes.

Additional Details

We have an exciting discovery that delta and epsilon tubulin are part of the initial assembly process, and the student will build on this. They will use a range of molecular parasitology and advanced microscopy techniques to identify the precise timing of candidate protein expression during the early stages of basal body assembly.

Ultra-Expansion microscopy will precisely identify the localisation of these candidates. Inducible RNAi will be used to examine the basal body defects after specific depletion of candidate proteins. The Vaughan lab has a wide range of expertise in imaging and parasitology and training in all techniques will be provided.

The studentship requires you to undertake the equivalent of up to 6 hrs of teaching per week on average, during semester time, and to include preparation and marking (but no more than 20 hrs per week), and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

• Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification.

English Language Requirements

• EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.

Application Process

Please download and follow the guideline instructions available on this page.

This project is advertised on a competitive basis alongside other current Nigel Groome PhD studentship advertisements for Biological and Medical Sciences projects. Part time MPhil/PhD study will be exceptionally considered (Home Fee status applicants only)

Tuition Fees

2025 / 26

• Research degree fees and project costs
• University fees and bench fees will be met by the University for 3 years.
• Bursary is equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend (current rate for 24/25 - £19,237)