Postgraduate research opportunities Development of New Chemical Biology Probes for Medicinal Chemistry Applications

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Key facts

  • Opens: Wednesday 3 December 2025
  • Number of places: Up to 4
  • Duration: 48 months
  • Funding: Equipment costs, Home fee, Stipend, Travel costs

Overview

This project focuses on developing novel tool compounds for diseases of societal need in collaboration with GSK. It involves creating chemical biology compounds to study protein targets, with options including drug-like molecules, fragments, peptides, oligonucleotides, or ADCs. Applicants should have a strong interest and experience in synthetic or medicinal chemistry. UK nationals only; secondment to GSK Hertfordshire possible.
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Eligibility

Students must have, or be on track for, a strong upper second or first class MChem degree in Chemistry or a related discipline.

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner
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Project Details

The studentship is based in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, which houses state-of-the-art analytical facilities and newly refurbished laboratory space for Chemical Biology. The student will join a vibrant research group whose primary interests align with the opportunity available.

This project will centre around the development of novel tool compounds for diseases of societal need, and is collaborative with GSK as an industrial partner. The overarching goal will be on the preparation of chemical biology compounds to interrogate protein targets associated with diseases of societal need.  The tool compounds of interest can be chosen from a broad palette (drug-like, fragment-based, peptide, oligonucleotide, or Antibody-Drug Conjugate) with the selection of molecule class being dependent on the student’s own interests and training aspirations, although the project is best suited to applicants who have a firm interest and relevant experience of synthetic or medicinal chemistry. The work will involve close collaboration with the industrial partner, including the option of undertaking a secondment to their research site in Hertfordshire. Please note, due to funding restrictions, only UK nationals are eligible for consideration.

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Funding details

Funding includes stipend at UKRI levels and covers tuition fees for UK nationals only.

While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.

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Supervisors

Professor Jamieson

Professor Craig Jamieson

Pure and Applied Chemistry

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Professor Craig Jamieson

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Number of places: Up to 4

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Pure and Applied Chemistry

Programme: Pure and Applied Chemistry

PhD
full-time
Start date: Oct 2025 - Sep 2026