Skip to main content

Programmable membrane proteins for nanoscale transport and sensing

Contribute to Materials & Devices for Life Sciences at EIT, redefining nanopore technologies and progressing new approaches in tissue engineering, as a Graduate Ellison Scholar.

Key facts

Project description

Protein pores are central to biotechnology and synthetic biology, mediating the transport of ions and molecules across membranes. Their finely tuned assembly, featuring defined subunit numbers, pore diameters and lengths, combined with highly diverse sequences, offers rich opportunities to create bespoke interior and exterior chemistries for sensing and sequencing.

We have extensive nanopore engineering expertise, but have only just begun to cover the potentially vast design space. Recently, we have engineered photoresponsive nanopores and extended pore lengths, leading to unexpected performance advances as biotechnological tools. We welcome motivated candidates from diverse backgrounds to join us in programming a broad range of pore-forming proteins. By combining state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical, and/or computational techniques, candidates will systematically explore and characterise structural variation, probe the fundamental principles of protein folding and assembly, and create functions that do not occur in natural evolution.

Skills Required

  • Undergraduate-level training in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science); computational or biophysical background an advantage but not essential
  • Laboratory research experience in protein biochemistry, molecular genetics, or organic or physical chemistry
  • Strong motivation and capacity for independent research, combined with an interest in multidisciplinary research
  • Quantitative data analysis and interpretation
  • Clear written and verbal communication 

Skills to be Developed

  • Protein design and engineering
  • Single-molecule biophysical characterisation
  • Computational and theoretical modelling approaches
  • Interdisciplinary research skills, integrating experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches
  • Scientific writing and presentation and cross-disciplinary collaboration 

Relevant Background Reading

  1. Wang, X. et al. ON-OFF nanopores for optical control of transmembrane ionic communication. Nat. Nanotechnol. 20, 432–440 (2025).
  2. Qing, Y., Ionescu, S. A., Pulcu, G. S. & Bayley, H. Directional control of a processive molecular hopper. Science 361, 908–912 (2018). 

How to apply

Stage 1: Apply to Ellison Institute of Technology

Submit an application to Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) by 5pm UK time on Tuesday 1 December 2026.

We encourage you to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Learn more and apply

Stage 2: Apply to the University of Oxford 

If selected by EIT, you will receive conditional funding and will be invited to apply to the University of Oxford by following the instructions on the course page.

Your application will then follow the standard graduate admissions process and will be assessed against the entry requirements shown on the course page.