ZAP-KHNYN Antiviral Researcher

Crick; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Crick Institute invites applications for a 2027 PhD project focused on the zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) and its cofactors KHNYN and Trim25. The project will explore how ZAP restricts a range of viruses, including retroviruses and SARS-CoV-2, using structural, biochemical and enzymological approaches.

The student will purify ZAP, KHNYN and Trim25 domains and full-length proteins, analyse RNA-binding and degradation, and determine cryo-EM structures of ZAP-KHNYN complexes to elucidate

Qualifications

• Background in molecular biology or biochemistry.
• Interest in structural biology and virology.
• Experience with protein purification and structural analysis.

Responsibilities

• Purify ZAP, KHNYN and Trim25 domains and full-length proteins to analyse complex formation, RNA-binding and RNA degradation.
• Determine cryo-EM structures of ZAP-KHNYN, ZAP-KHNYN-RNA and ZAP-KHNYN-Trim25 complexes.
• Make mutations in ZAP and KHNYN to test effects on complex formation or nuclease activity and viral replication inhibition.

Skills

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Structural biology

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Tools

Cryo-EM

Protein purification

Job description

Crick Institute invites applications for a 2027 PhD project focused on the zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) and its cofactors KHNYN and Trim25. The project will explore how ZAP restricts a range of viruses, including retroviruses and SARS-CoV-2, using structural, biochemical and enzymological approaches.

The student will purify ZAP, KHNYN and Trim25 domains and full-length proteins, analyse RNA-binding and degradation, and determine cryo-EM structures of ZAP-KHNYN complexes to elucidate