Zatsepin Lab

Interested in joining the lab?

We are actively seeking PhD and Masters students! We have at least one PhD scholarships available now (until filled) and are accepting SUPRA applications (Swinburne PhD scholarships for top performing students), and will support your application for other scholarships (see below).

Projects

We have projects for students interested in time-resolved crystallography, X-ray free-electron laser crystallography, structural biology, chemical crystallography (small molecules, peptides, MOFs etc), and we particularly value coding skills (python) and experience in protein crystallisation. Our current projects include

pushing the boundaries of microcrystallography: technique development and radiation damage studies; enabling room temperature microcrystallography and time-resolved crystallography at the new high-performance macromolecular crystallography beamline of the Australian Synchrotron, MX3;
time-resolved crystallography studies of biomolecular mechanics: understanding the dynamics of disulphide bond-forming enzyme A (DsbA); studying redox reactions and disulfide bond formation; and small molecule binding studies to DsbA (to aid in drug development for combating antimicrobial resistance) using XFELs and synchrotrons;
developing new simulations and world first experiments at the Compact X-ray Light Source and future Compact X-ray free-electron laser at Arizona State University;
ultrafast electronic damage in XFEL crystallography.

PhD / Masters scholarships and opportunities

There are two PhD scholarships available (starting in 2025 and 2026) funded by my group for projects in my ARC Future Fellowship (topics 1, 2 and 3 above).

Australian Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship

Full time PhD scholarship for 3 years (extendible to 4), or Masters program for up to 2 years. See https://www.education.gov.au/research-block-grants/research-training-program/research-training-program-frequently-asked-questions-students

Swinburne University Postgraduate Research Awards

In 2024, Swinburne Research Scholarships are open for application during two scholarship rounds (for domestica and international students):

Round 1 closes Friday 17 May 2024, 5pm AEST for a late 2024 start. Outcomes announced 2nd July. Domestic students must enrol by 31st Oct 2024. International students must enrol by 31st Jan 2025.
Round 2 closes Friday 25 October 2024, 5pm AEDT for an early 2025 start. Outcomes announced 4th Dec 2024. Domestic students must enrol by 28th Feb 2025. International students must enrol by 30th May 2025.

How to apply and more info: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/options/scholarships/510/swinburne-research-stipend-scholarships/

Top-up scholarships

Honours / Masters students: AINSE offers $5,000 to support Honours or Masters students working on AINSE sponsored experiments/data: https://www.ainse.edu.au/pathway/ Applications open Dec 1st 2024 and close 15th March 2025.

PhD students: AINSE offers $9,000 per annum top up scholarships: https://www.ainse.edu.au/postgraduate/ Applications open 1st Feb 2025 and close 15th April 2025. These should be available regardless of the source of your main scholarship.

European XFEL / La Trobe collaboration projects

We also have opportunities for spending 3-12 months at the European XFEL (Germany) during your PhD, available for particular topics.

ATSE Elevate HDR scholarships

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Elevate program offers scholarships for new students in 2025, who are women and non-binary STEM students. Valued at ~ $37,206 per annum, for up to 3.5 years. See here and here for details. Applications close 30th August 2024.

Postdocs

We will be advertising a Postdoctoral Fellow position in the coming months (to start in 2025).

Contact me directly (via nzatsepin at swin.edu.au) if interested in Honours, Masters, PhD positions or other opportunities (there are various application deadlines and scholarship opportunities for domestic and international students).