Peter Swain

This PhD project at the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences investigates how eukaryotic cells, specifically budding yeast, coordinate ribosome levels with cellular growth rate. While previous research has focused on bacteria, this project explores the distinct and evolutionarily conserved molecular machinery in yeast, including nutrient-sensing kinases such as TOR kinase, AMP kinase, and Gcn2, which are also present in human cells. The successful candidate will characterize how the mass fraction of ribosomes changes over time under various nutrient conditions and stresses, including exposure to translation-inhibiting drugs. Experimental approaches will include the use of fluorescent reporters, plate readers, and time-lapse microscopy. To probe the underlying mechanisms, the project employs synthetic biology techniques to manipulate the activity of nutrient-sensing kinases, thereby altering how cells sense and respond to ribosomal demand. Collaboration opportunities are available with researchers in the Department of Mathematics at Imperial College London, where the candidate will integrate experimental data into predictive frameworks using mathematical modelling and machine learning. This interdisciplinary approach aims to reveal fundamental principles of cellular growth and ribosome regulation, providing a calibrated model of a eukaryotic host for applications in synthetic biology. Funding is available through the Darwin Trust-funded PhD studentship, which is open to International and EU candidates. The studentship covers full tuition fees and provides an annual stipend of £22,700 for the 2025-26 academic year. Applicants interested in this funding must apply both to the Biological Sciences PhD programme via the University’s EUCLID admissions portal and separately to the Darwin Trust. Applicants should have a strong background in biological sciences or a related discipline, with skills in cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, or quantitative analysis being advantageous. The start date for the programme is 1 October 2026, and the application deadline is 7 January 2026. For further details, applicants are encouraged to contact Prof Peter Swain and refer to the project listing on FindAPhD.