TWO PHD RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE (BIOCHEMISTRY/CELL BIOLOGY/DRUG DISCOVERY)
Two funded PhD positions are offered at Rhodes University in South Africa. Both projects will be supervised by Prof Adrienne Edkins and carried out in the Biomedical Biotechnology Research Unit (BioBRU) in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology.
PhD fellowship 1: Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) proteostasis and drug discovery
A funded PhD position is available to understand proteostasis in KSHV (the oncogenic virus associated with development of Kaposi sarcoma) towards identification of novel therapeutic strategies. This PhD project will be conducted in collaboration with groups at Leeds University and UCT.
Funding: This PhD position is tenable for 3 years starting as soon as possible in 2024 and includes an annual tax-free fellowship of R230 000 (which can be used to cover fees and living expenses).
PhD fellowship 2: Anti-Tuberculosis drug discovery
A funded PhD position is available in the field of TB drug discovery and development. The candidate will be part of the in vitro protein biochemistry team on a multidisciplinary project to establish an African-based TB drug discovery platform across four Southern African sites, including Stellenbosch University, UKZN and KEMRI.
Funding: The PhD position is tenable for 3 years starting as soon as possible in 2024 and includes an annual tax-free fellowship of R160 000 (which can be used to cover fees and living expenses).
Note that the Rhodes University 2024 PhD fee for South African candidates is R29 181.00. Non-South African candidates will be required to pay an additional international fee that ranges from R8 567.00 to R12 630.00 depending on your country of origin.
Requirements
MSc degree or equivalent in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, or closely related fields, as well as basic computer literacy (e.g. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). There is no restriction on nationality.
Previous experience with laboratory-based techniques including mammalian and bacterial cell culture, SDS-PAGE and western blotting, cloning, PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, protein production in E. coli and performing biological assays would be an advantage but is not required as full training will be provided as needed.
Both projects will require the candidates to work collaboratively with other researchers in BioBRU and collaborating institutions. As such, candidates need to be highly motivated team players with strong communication skills, good time management, strong problem-solving skills, and independent thinking.
Application
Applicants may apply to be considered for one or both available PhD positions in a single application. Please send the following by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Complete academic CV
- Academic transcript(s)
- 1-page cover letter indicating a) why you want to do the PhD, b) your relevant skills and c) indicating if you wish to be considered for one or both PhD positions.
Closing date for applications is 31st January 2024.
