Cracking the carbohydrate code: how carbohydrate-binding modules control starch digestion (KHIMYAK_U27DTP)

Nuclear Inst; Norwich; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Nuclear Inst at the Norwich Research Park invites applications for a fully funded PhD project exploring how carbohydrate-binding modules interact with amylases to shape starch digestion. You will work across materials science, enzymology and advanced NMR to uncover molecular details at solid–liquid interfaces.

Applicants with backgrounds in structural biology, pharmacology, biophysics or materials science, and some experience with NMR, are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Explore starch interfaces structure and dynamics with solid- and solution-state NMR techniques.
• Design and run enzyme assays to study amylase activity on starch substrates.
• Apply multivariate data analysis to interpret experimental results.
• Translate findings to rational food design and potential applications in industry.

Job description

Primary Supervisor - Professor Yaroslav Khimyak

Why this matters:

Starch is the principal source of dietary glucose, and the rate at which it is digested has major consequences for metabolic health. Food science still lacks the mechanistic understanding to rationally design starch-based foods with tailored digestion profiles. Starch digestion is initiated by amylases. How amylases and carbohydrate-binding modules (CBM) shape starch-binding affinity and hydrolysis kinetics is poorly resolved, particularly at the solid–liquid interfaces where digestion occurs.

The project:

You will have an opportunity to link CBM identity directly to their function. Working across carbohydrate hydrogel structure/mobility, digestion enzymology and advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) you will uncover molecular level details of how starch structures interact with amylases at different stages of digestion and their impact on starch hydrolysis in different regions of the human gut. This will benefit rational design of foods with tailored digestive profiles.

What you will do/learn:

• Materials science: starch interfaces structure and dynamics;
• Biomedical methods: enzyme assay design, enzymology and biophysical techniques;
• Spectroscopy: cutting-edge solid- and solution-state NMR for carbohydrates;
• Data analysis; multivariate and correlative statistical analysis;
• Translation: integrate findings with rational food design.

You will be jointly supervised in the Khimyak/ Koev / Warren labs—collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and hands-on.

Who should apply:

We welcome applicants with backgrounds in structural biology, pharmacology, biophysics, materials science, or related fields. Some experience with NMR or other advanced structural tools is a plus, and you should enjoy working across disciplines.

The environment:

You will join the Norwich Research Park—one of the UK’s largest concentrations of life scientists—with outstanding facilities and training. The skill set you will build spans molecular biology, enzymology, biophysics, and advanced NMR —preparing you for career in academia or industry.

Interested?

Informal enquiries are encouraged: Prof Yaroslav Khimyak ([e-mail]) or any member of the supervisory team.

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.

To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).

Mode of study

Full-time

Start date

1 October 2027