AI-driven metrology for sequence-to-function links with accuracy of one DNA base pair: traceability at scale
An EPSRC industrial doctoral landscape award between the University of Oxford and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is available from Oct 2025.
The persistent lack of protein sequence-to-function links remains one of the most intractable problems in biology. This PhD project will focus on establishing metrology foundations for AI-driven protein design through experimentation run at scale and high throughput.
The studentship is an important part of research programmes at the University of Oxford, the NPL and the Rosalind Franklin Institute (RFI) and the successful applicant will be exposed to additional collaborations with IBM, Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation and Wellcome Sanger Institute.
The student will be involved in building an experimental capability to support predictive AI-models describing relationships between DNA, protein sequences and function, and will make use of state-of-the-art correlated imaging, in particular electron microscopy, from cryogenic to in situ, and molecular biophysics.
The studentship is linked to the priority developments in the NPL’s newly launched synthesis bio-foundry and the RFI’s theme of correlated imaging. The technical role of NPL will complement that of RFI and Oxford in the development of correlated datasets for data-driven protein design and will provide metrology for biophysical assessment of function. The student will have access to metrology training, and to all relevant NPL capabilities during the entire course of their studies, with their time spent between Oxford, NPL and RFI. They will also work alongside scientists at the RFI who are developing the next generation of advanced imaging instruments using optical and X-Ray photons and electrons.
Applicants with Home or Overseas fees status are eligible to apply. However, applicants with overseas fees status should note our ability to offer a studentship to a candidate with this fee status is restricted by the EPSRC stipulation that no more than 30% of students funded by a specific EPSRC IDLA training grant held by an institution may be of overseas fees status.
Information on fee status can be found at http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/fees-and-other-charges
About NPL
The NPL is the UK’s National metrology institute and a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.
About the RFI
The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a National research centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology.
About the University of Oxford and the Department of Materials
The University of Oxford is a collegiate research University currently ranked number one in the world. The Department of Materials is one of nine within the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division of the University of Oxford, and one of world’s leading materials teaching and research institutions.
