Working in YSBL

The York Structural Biology Laboratory is a dynamic collaborative grouping of staff and students working across disciplines, departments and buildings. It is a lively and sociable group in which ideas and expertise are shared and provides a supportive and stimulating working environment.

Where we work

The groups that make up YSBL are mainly based in the Biosciences Building of the University (blocks K & L in the Biology Department), with a further two groups (Fascione and Willems) and close collaborators (the Walton and Parkin groups in particular) based in the Department of Chemistry. The location of YSBL within the Department of Biology builds and strengthens our links with the biologists with whom we collaborate, as well as providing easy access to the Bioscience Technology Facility for our researchers.

Talks and seminars

YSBL's main seminar series is held jointly with Biology colleagues. The Chemical and Structural Biology seminars are held on the first Wednesday of every month throughout the academic semester. Talks bring high-profile speakers to York and often include an opportunity to meet the speakers.

We also hold the YSBL and Biophysics Lab Talks during semester time, which is a more informal internal series in which researchers from PhD students upwards present their work to an audience of colleagues. PhD students also take their turn at chairing these talks.

Outreach

Members of YSBL participate in public engagement events such as the annual “YorNight” research showcase and give talks and run events for school students from primary level to sixth form.

Social activities

YSBL has a communal tea/coffee break every morning, where there is fresh coffee (not infrequently accompanied by cake) and a chance to catch up with colleagues away from the work bench.

There is good representation from YSBL in the (broadly bioscience-based) staff/postgraduate badminton club. Lab members also get together for bike rides and organise fundraising events such as an annual Macmillan Coffee Morning.