UK funded vacancies
Funded by research councils, charities and industry, these studentships cover tuition fees and, for most UK students, provide more than £18,000 per year towards living expenses. They last four years, or three if you already have an MRes, MSc or other postgraduate degree.
How to use the table
We've listed specific positions with secured funding in the table below. Clicking on a member of staff's name will take you to their personal home page whereas clicking on a PhD title will show more details about that particular project. If your research interest isn't listed, please contact us to talk about potential opportunities.
Current research opportunities
Supervisors: Dr Karen Alvey, Dr Robert Owen, Dr David Scurr, Professor Cameron Alexander
Subject areas: Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Immunology, Manufacturing Engineering, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacy, Polymer Chemistry, Polymers,
About the project
Join our dynamic research team and be at the forefront of ground-breaking drug delivery advancements. We are offering a fully-funded 36 month PhD studentship (to UK students only) to tackle skin variability challenges through the development of personalised microneedles using cutting-edge 3D printing technology. Personalised microneedle patches offer a revolutionary approach to drug delivery by enhancing drug permeation and providing precise control over release rates. There is growing interest in formulating biotherapeutics such as nucleic acids into microneedle patches to enhance their thermal stability but the potential for personalisation through 3D printing remains unexplored. In this project you will have the opportunity to develop a personalised 3D-printed biotherapeutic microneedle patch with customisable permeation and release profiles, guided by material selection and microneedle design principles. New insights will be gained through the application of world-leading characterisation techniques, such as OrbiSIMS analysis (Starr et al, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2114380119), working within a team with an established track record in biotherapeutic formulation and delivery.
Candidate Requirements:
Applications are invited from students with a background in chemistry, pharmaceutical science, biomaterial science or a related discipline, who have or expect to graduate with a first-class or strong 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level. The starting date for the project will be October 2024. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Karen Alvey and/or Dr Robert Owen for more details or enquiries about the project.
The School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham was ranked 7th in the world in the 2020 QS World Rankings for pharmacy and pharmacology and 96% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021 Results).
Eligibility
- The studentship is only available for UK candidates. The studentship will provide full-time UK tuition fees and stipend, in line with UK stipend rates for 36 months
- Candidates must possess or expect to obtain, a minimum of a first class or strong 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in a related subject
How to apply
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Karen Alvey and/or Dr Robert Owen for more details or enquiries about the project.
Formal applications should include CV, cover letter and academic transcripts, and should be made online through the University of Nottingham’s online application system, indicating “Pharmacy” for the School and “Dr Karen Alvey” as the supervisor.
Application deadline: the application deadline for this project is 30th June 2024.
AstraZeneca and University of Nottingham funded PhD Studentship - Oligonucleotide therapeutics: Characterisation of oligonucleotide stereochemistry and diastereoisomeric profiling to improve product quality
Supervisors: Professor Jonathan Aylott, Dr David Scurr
Subject areas: Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Data Analysis, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry
About the project
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship supported by AstraZeneca (AZ) to study the stereochemistry of oligonucleotides. More than 18 small nucleic acid-based drugs, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs), have been commercially approved in the US and the EU and have entered the marketplace with demand for these oligonucleotide drugs expanding rapidly. However, the structural complexity of nucleic acids offers many synthetic and characterisation challenges. For phosphonothioate oligonucleotides that contain large numbers of stereoisomers structural complexity increases many fold – potentially 32,768 stereoisomers for a 16-mer oligonucleotide!
This is of critical importance as the stereochemistry of an oligonucleotide sequence may affect its pharmacological activity, including nuclease resistance, binding affinity, and toxicities. Consistent composition between batches is essential for ensuring drug safety and efficacy as well as meeting regulatory requirements. Working together with AstraZeneca this project will develop sensitive analytical methods using chromatography, mass spectrometry and other bioanalytical techniques that establish stereochemical comparability between batches. This approach to improved characterisation of oligonucleotide drugs will enable consistent product manufacture and enhanced product performance ensuring optimal patient benefit.
The applicant will work as part of a world leading team within The School of Pharmacy (ranked 8th in the world in the 2023 QS World Rankings for pharmacy and pharmacology and 96% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021 Results) utilising unique state of the art facilities such as the 3D OrbiSIMS (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nmrc/facilities/orbisims/orbitrap-sims.aspx). The project applicant will also work closely throughout the project with AstraZeneca a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company. AZ are focused on creating genuinely innovative medicines and improving access to them, delivering the greatest benefit to patients, healthcare systems and societies globally.
Candidate Requirements:
Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a 2.1 degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Life Sciences or another relevant Physical Science. This PhD project will be multidisciplinary, encompassing oligonucleotide synthesis, enzyme digestion assays, chromatography, mass spectrometry and associated data analytics. The successful candidate should have the following skills:
- Strong analytical skills (to be applied to chromatography and mass spectrometry)
- Independence and self-motivation
- An ability to work independently and in a team
- A strong aptitude for working with industrial partners
- A high level of proficiency in English
- An excellent work ethic and commitment to the job
Experience in or knowledge of any of the following would be advantageous; oligonucleotide chemistry and mass spectrometry.
Eligibility
- The studentship is only available for UK candidates. The studentship will provide full-time UK tuition fees and stipend, in line with UK stipend rates for 36 months
- Candidates must possess or expect to obtain, a minimum of a first class or strong 2:1 honours degree, in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Life Sciences or another relevant Physical Science.
How to apply
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Jonathan Aylott (jon.aylott@nottingham.ac.uk) for more details or enquiries about the project.
Formal applications should be made online through the University of Nottingham’s online application system, indicating “Pharmacy” for the School and “Professor Jonathan Aylott” as the supervisor.
Application deadline: the application deadline for this project is 22nd July 2024.