Strathclyde GSKStrathclyde-based Opportunities

Current opportunities

As part of our industry-based PhD programme, we can offer a number of collaborative studentships that are based at the University of Strathclyde and funded by the University, the EPSRC & GSK.

Students are co-supervised by chemistry academics and a senior chemist from GSK.

The successful candidates will be based at the University of Strathclyde and will have the opportunity to spend at least three months of the studentship at the GSK Medicines Research Centre in Stevenage, England.

For these outstanding training and development opportunities in chemistry, you will need or be in line to obtain:

  • A very good MSci or MChem degree, or equivalent, in chemistry
  • Excellent theorectical and practical skills, together with a dedicated and conscientious attitude, and the ability to provide creative and innovative solutions to complex problems
  • To be highly motivated for chemistry and broader areas of science
  • Strong communication skills

Dr David Lindsay & Professor Billy Kerr

Proposed start date: flexible

Duration of the project: 4 Years

Project Summary

The general interests of the Kerr and Lindsay laboratories cover a broad range of metal-mediated synthetic organic chemistry and, in particular, in the development of new preparative techniques, the creation of asymmetric processes, and the use of these emerging methods in total synthesis programmes.

The available project will explore new methods for directed C-H activation and C-C bond formation, based on a class of iridium(I) complexes developed at Strathclyde, which are state-of-the-art in ortho-C-H activation. Recent work has employed this catalyst class in a limited range of substrates within the proposed transformation. This project will develop a theoretical understanding of the process, including substrate and ligand parameterisation, to design new catalyst systems that will considerably broaden the scope of this process, and allow access to new heterocyclic scaffolds of pharmaceutical interest.

The successful applicant will join an extremely motivated and industrious research team and will receive elevated levels of training in the areas of preparative chemistry, organometallic-based synthesis, reaction mechanism, computational methods, and the associated analytical/spectroscopic requirements.

Proposed start date: flexible

Duration of the project: 3.5 Years

Project Summary

The available project will specifically expand upon Kerr’s iridium-based catalysts for application in a portfolio of important transformations in organic synthesis and of direct relevance to the pharmaceutical industry. More specifically, Kerr has been heavily involved in the development of new iridium-catalysed methods for C-H activation, including applications in hydrogen isotope exchange, hydrogenation, and C-C, C-O, and C-N bond formation, areas which are now primed to be appreciably extended.

The successful applicant will join an extremely motivated and industrious research team, and will receive elevated levels of training in the areas of preparative chemistry, organometallic-based synthesis, reaction mechanism, computational methods, and the associated analytical/spectroscopic requirements. 

 

Dr Craig Jamieson

Proposed start date: flexible

Duration of project: 4 Years

Project Summary

Dr Jamieson is an internationally recognised researcher in the area of Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology and has generated a broad portfolio of co-authored publications in collaboration with GSK.  Scientists from GSK and the University of Strathclyde have collaboratively designed the proposed study, with both parties contributing to the development of the workplan. Specifically, this will focus on the development of a new generation of stapled peptides with tuneable physicochemical and functional properties.

Peptide staples are an emerging class of ‘chemologic’ molecules which represent hybrids of chemical and biological constructs, and have wide ranging applications from target validation to new therapeutics. Currently, only a limited palette of synthetic approaches is employed to create the ‘staple’ and hence modulate secondary structure. The proposed study aims to exploit novel reactivity identified in Strathclyde laboratories using a reactive intermediate generated photochemically in order to create a modular, heterocyclic-based staple with tuneable molecular and functional properties. The approach will be exemplified using a workhorse biological system of disease relevance, enabling comparison with current stapling approaches.  The outcomes of this programme will positively impact in the broad area of chemical biology, enabling access to a new generation of peptide constructs with strong relevance to diseases of societal need. 

Professor Nicholas Tomkinson

Proposed start date: flexible

Duration of the project: 4 Years

Project Summary

Professor Tomkinson has a long-term track record in working collaboratively with GSK in both chemical biology and medicinal chemistry research projects applying a fundamental understanding of chemical processes to the development of methods that can be applied to the discovery, development and preparation of new medicines. 

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) define an exciting and active area of new medicines discovery research.  This project will deliver tool molecules that can be used to screen libraries of reactive fragments against the zDHHC family of enzymes, which are responsible for S-acylation, a key PTM.  This screening will provide significant analytical datasets that will enable the rules governing acyl chain selectivity to be established. Based upon a new reactive fragment screening platform collaboratively developed by the supervisors we will deliver workflows to validate targets within this emerging area of discovery research.  

The project will provide a fundamental training for the student at the chemistry/biology interface with the provision of critical experience in using an interdisciplinary approach to solving industry relevant challenges.

This project will reside within the national capability theme of Physical Sciences under the challenge theme of Healthcare Technologies and within the research area of Chemical Biology and Biological Chemistry.

Further Information

Please submit your application by e-mail to Dr Laura C. Paterson (laura.c.paterson@strath.ac.uk), which should include:

  • Cover letter, detailing your experience and motivation for PhD studies 
  • CV with two referees details included 
  • Full transcripts from your undergraduate degree
  •  Other pertinent information (e.g., publications, awards, and other distinctions)

Please clearly state in your email to which project(s) you are applying.