Studentships for October 2026 entry

Title

New Methodology for Constructing Structurally Expanded RNA Display Libraries (xRDL)

This project is generously funded by the Faculty of Natural Sciences

Supervisors

• Professor Jason Micklefield, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr Louise Walport, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor James Bull, Department of Chemistry, Imperial

Abstract

Currently, more than 80 peptide drugs have been approved, with many others in clinical trials. The discovery of bioactive peptide leads has been significantly accelerated by advances in peptide-display technologies (e.g. mRNA display). While peptides identified through such screening methods often demonstrate high affinity and selectivity, extensive synthetic modification is typically required to enhance their properties for use as therapeutics or as tool compounds for in vivo studies. In this project, we aim to develop an alternative approach for generating structurally expanded mRNA-display libraries (xRDL). By using novel enzymatic methods to barcode site-selective derivatization reactions on peptide scaffolds, we seek to streamline the discovery of more potent lead compounds with improved properties. xRDL will circumvent the need for labourious and costly post-screening medicinal chemistry campaigns, providing a more direct route to functionally optimised peptides that are suitable for therapeutic development and mechanistic exploration in complex biological systems.

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Wednesday 7th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Engineering Carbon Capture Synthetic Cells via Closed-loop Discovery

This project is funded by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology

Supervisors

• Professor Laura Barter, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr James Hindley, Kings College London
• Professor Oscar Ces, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor Nicholas Long, Department of Chemistry, Imperial

Abstract

Limiting the global, systemic impacts of climate change will require a concerted effort to reduce greenhouse gas (primarily CO2) emissions, as well as creating routes to capture existing atmospheric CO2 through biomass and novel carbon capture systems. Whilst there has been significant progress in the use of chemical approaches for CO2 capture, there is an absence of bioinspired, sustainable and biocompatible technologies. We will address this in this studentship by engineering synthetic cells - biomimetic entities constructed from non-living and living components to create molecular assemblies with life-like behaviours – with the ability to capture and transport fixed CO2 for the first time. Such technologies could be readily integrated with biomass cultivation (e.g., algae), producing feedstocks in situ which can in turn be converted to biofuels and valuable chemicals by the algal culture.

Here, inspired by the CO2-uptake mechanisms employed in photosynthesis and in red blood cells, we propose to develop synthetic cell carbon capture devices that can (a) chemically fix CO2 within the synthetic cell and (b) export it into the external environment via protein transporters, generating a driving force for continuous carbon capture from CO2 in solution. To rapidly engineer such technologies, we will develop high-throughput methodologies for carbon fixation mimetics involving synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry.  In addition, we will employ closed-loop synthetic cell engineering, develop automated approaches to both construct and characterize synthetic cells in high-throughput and pair this with machine learning approaches to design synthetic cells with highly efficient carbon capture functionality. 

The successful PhD candidate will work on a highly multi-disciplinary project, with the student being trained in a wide range of techniques including chemical synthesis, membrane protein expression, synthetic cell engineering, lab automation, and machine learning - working across world-leading laboratories at both Imperial and King’s College London throughout the project. We envisage that this studentship will generate both fundamental and translational impact, ultimately leading to new carbon capture biotechnologies that contribute to a net zero future.

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Transforming EPR into a novel surface sensitive probe to investigate photodegradation on biologically relevant surfaces

This project was made possible via the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and the Norris Plant Chemical Biology Postgraduate Scholarship

Supervisors

• Professor Maxie Roessler, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor Laura Barter, Department of Chemistry, Imperial

Abstract

This project aims to transform electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy into a surface-sensitive technique, unlocking the ability to investigate the photodegradation mechanisms/pathways of agrochemicals at biologically relevant interfaces. Building upon recent discoveries of ROS-mediated photodegradation of model agrochemicals in solution, the project will develop a novel platform using superconducting microresonators and biomimetic leaf surfaces to detect and characterize light-induced radical species under physiologically and environmentally relevant conditions. The methodology will integrate advanced surface science, plant chemical biology, and EPR method development to enable high-sensitivity, spatially resolved measurements of transient radicals. Together this will enable a study into the role of the leaf surface/composition on a photodegradation pathway. 

This studentship requires physical science innovation in spectroscopy, light irradiation, thin-film deposition of biomimetic surfaces and concomitant data analysis, which together will be used to explore photostability across promising novel agrochemical candidates. Outcomes will include a toolkit for assessing compound photostability, insights into surface-driven radical mechanisms, and a scalable, cost-effective technology with broad applications in sustainable agriculture, biosensing, and photocatalysis.

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Understanding Antibody Uptake to Improve Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and GSK

Supervisors

• Dr Francesco Aprile, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor Ed Tate, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr Joanne McGregor, Director, Head of ADC Platform team at GSK

Abstract

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are often described as “magic bullets” because they deliver toxic payloads selectively to cells that display a chosen antigen. In reality, they can also enter cells that lack the antigen, through routes that are not yet fully understood. This off-target uptake reduces safety and effectiveness, and it is a major challenge for the field.

In this PhD you will investigate the chemical and structural features that control ADC uptake and intracellular behaviour. You will design antibody and ADC variants by altering features such as isotype, surface charge, glycosylation, antigen binding affinity, and the type of payload and linker. You will then test how these changes affect uptake and routing to endosomes, recycling pathways, or the cytosol.

This is a unique opportunity to gain broad training across cell biology, proteomics, structural biophysics, and translational drug discovery, while helping to shape the next generation of ADCs with improved selectivity, safety, and clinical impact. You will combine live-cell assays, proteomics, and advanced biophysics (including neutron reflectivity) to track antibody–cell interactions in real time. By linking uptake mechanisms to biological outcomes such as viability and pathway activity, you will define the fundamental rules of non-specific ADC internalisation.

This studentship would ideally suite candidates with a strong background and interest in the interface between chemistry and biology. You will join a large and dynamic team of scientists at Imperial's White City campus, which brings together outstanding expertise across these areas, from fundamental biomolecular studies to cell and chemical biology, as well as experience translating ADC science towards the clinic in industry (GSK) and through biotech spinouts (Myricx Bio, SiftrBio).

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Cysteine-selective bioconjugation warheads for ADCs

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and GSK

Supervisors

• Professor James Bull, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor Ed Tate, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr  David Battersby, GSK 
• Dr Karina Chan, GSK

Abstract

Antibody-drug-conjugates (ADCs) are promising therapeutic modalities enabling the selective delivery of highly potent payloads to a disease tissue. ADCs are often coined “magic bullets” referring to their intrinsic targeting nature that results in deeper, on-target exposure of the payload and increased therapeutic window and have resulted in 17 approved ADC medicines to date. An ADC comprises of four key components: the antibody that drives tissue selectivity, a chemical warhead to attach onto the antibody’s native amino acids, a linker and a pharmaceutically active payload. Out of these marketed ADCs, 11 utilize cysteine capping conjugation employing a maleimide as the electrophilic chemical warhead. While highly selective for cysteines and offering fast rates of conjugation, the maleimide linkages can suffer from issues of buffer or serum instability resulting in deconjugation of the linker-payload and diminishing drug-antibody-ratio (DAR) over time. This project will develop alternative cysteine selective, non-reversible capping bioconjugation warheads to overcome the intrinsic reversibility problems of maleimides on antibodies. Moreover, highly functionalisable warheads will be developed to enable the incorporation of one or multiple linkers and payloads leading to higher DAR or dual-payload ADCs. This project will assess the feasibility and utility of novel warhead structures to use as ADC conjugation chemistry, aiming to provide improved options for antibody conjugation.  

This project would ideally suit candidates with a strong first degree in molecular sciences, for example chemistry, chemical biology, or medicinal chemistry. Whilst some prior experience in working with biological systems would be an advantage, training in all relevant techniques will be provided.

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Molecular engineering tools in filamentous fungi for controlled production of high-value molecules

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and Bayer 

Supervisors

• Professor Rodrigo Ledesma Amaro, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial
• Dr Francesca Ceroni, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial
• Simon Klaffl, Bayer
• Timo Wolf, Bayer

Abstract

Filamentous fungi are emerging as versatile microbial platforms for sustainable biomanufacturing of high-value chemicals, offering unique advantages over traditional hosts due to their innate capacity for protein secretion and growth on low cost and complex substrates. This project focuses on developing advanced molecular engineering tools for filamentous fungi, enabling precise control of gene and metabolic expression. By integrating synthetic biology, robotics, and computational modelling, we aim to create modular systems for programmable “on-demand” production of high-value compounds. Analytical techniques such as single-cell Raman and metabolomics will support product characterisation and iterative strain optimisation. In collaboration with Bayer, we will perform fermentation trials and scale-up experiments to quantify and structurally characterise produced compounds. As a proof of concept, we will engineer the biosynthesis of heme and hemoglobin to address iron deficiency. The project’s interdisciplinary approach, bridging engineering biology, analytical chemistry, and fungal biotechnology, will unlock the translational potential of filamentous fungi for applications in agriscience, food, and therapeutics.

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Proteome-wide molecular glue discovery unlocked by chemical proteomics and machine learning

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and Ternary Therapeutics

Supervisors

• Professor Ed Tate, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor Christian Speck, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial Faculty of Medicine
• Dr Jack Houghton, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr Rosa Cookson, Associate Director, Chemical Biology at Ternary Therapeutics
• Dr Naail Kashif-Khan, CADD at Ternary Therapeutics

Abstract

Molecular glues are transforming the landscape of drug discovery. By inducing or stabilising protein–protein interactions, they can modulate targets long considered “undruggable”, offering powerful new ways to reprogramme cellular networks. Unlike traditional inhibitors or PROTACs, molecular glues are small, drug-like molecules with the potential for exquisite selectivity and pharmacological breadth. Yet their discovery remains largely serendipitous, limited by the absence of high-throughput screening platforms and structural data essential for rational design.

This project will pioneer a breakthrough molecular glue discovery platform: an integrated proteomic and computational workflow capable of mapping the interactions of all proteins against all proteins in the cell, in the presence of thousands of potential glues. By coupling chemical proteomics to advanced computational deconvolution, we will generate the first large-scale database of molecular glue induced protein–protein interactions. High-throughput modelling and machine learning will then transform low-resolution proteomic signatures into high-resolution models of ternary complexes at scale, revealing the molecular logic of induced proximity and unlocking a new era of rational glue design.

You will develop and automate workflows for proteome-wide analysis of structural changes, and implement AI-enabled scoring algorithms to distinguish direct binding from productive ternary complex formation. You will then apply the validated platform to screen focused compound libraries, discovering new molecular glues of immediate relevance to therapeutic development.

This is an ambitious, multidisciplinary project at the intersection of chemical biology, proteomics, and computational drug discovery. It will suit candidates with a strong first degree in chemistry, chemical biology, or medicinal chemistry, ideally with experience in proteomics or structural biology and a keen interest in machine learning. Full training will be provided by the supervisory team across Imperial College London and Ternary Therapeutics, with the project based in the Molecular Sciences Research Hub and the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences at White City, in close collaboration with Ternary Therapeutics in London and Stevenage.

Keywords: Molecular glues, drug discovery, proteomics, machine learning, automation, docking, co-folding

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Tuesday 10^th February 2026, 5pm.

First round interviews Wednesday 4^th March 2026.

Title

Expanding the structural diversity of cyclic peptide libraries with encoded chemistry

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Supervisors

• Dr Louise Walport, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor James Bull, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr Michael Wright, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

In the quest to drug every disease-relevant protein in the human proteome, cyclic peptides are a powerful modality with the capacity to bind to proteins traditionally thought to be undruggable, such as those involved in protein protein interactions and transcription factors. To facilitate their discovery, powerful encoded library discovery platforms, such as mRNA display, have been developed that can be used to identify hits from trillions of different sequences. 

To expand the application of peptides even further, many approaches are now being developed to encode chemistries beyond the 20 naturally occurring amino acids into peptide libraries, including through genetic code reprogramming, enzymatic transformations and synthetic manipulations. As an alternative, in this exciting industry collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, we will expand on a recently developed strategy to encode new chemistries into peptide libraries with DNA to create topologically diverse cyclic peptide libraries. You will apply your new libraries to generate chemical probes for a range of therapeutically relevant proteins. You will have the opportunity to learn a wide range of cutting-edge chemical biology approaches including mRNA display of cyclic peptides and DNA templated synthesis and will use a wide range of biophysical, biochemical and cell-based assays to characterise your hit peptides.

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Developing high specificity pesticides to minimise environmental impact

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and BASF

Supervisors

• Professor Nick Brooks, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor Oscar Ces, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr Joachim Dickhaut, BASF

Abstract

One of the greatest global priorities is finding strategies that will support the supply of high quality, nutritious food for the worlds fast-growing population. A vital strand that will enable this is the development of novel, efficient and sustainable pesticides with low environmental impact.

In this project, we will develop high-throughput approaches to understand the interactions between pesticides and key biological membrane barriers that lie between the site of application and site of action. This data will represent a step change from that produced by current approaches and will feed directly into training predictive machine learning models and enable development of pesticide formulations with lower applied concentrations, increased specificity and improved environmental performance.

The development of pesticides has been highly successful at targeting specific active protein sites, however the optimisation of these products has been limited by our current understanding of the interactions that take place between the active molecules and the biological membrane barriers that lie between the site of application and the site of action. Interactions with these barriers and the efficiency of transport through them are also critical to developing engineering based approaches to product formulation, where additional components are often included to promote uptake of the active compound.

While there has been progress in both modelling and machine learning approaches to predicting the transport and efficacy of pesticide formulations, these approaches are also severely hampered by lack of input characterisation data relating to membrane transport.

We aim to develop a high throughput measurement assay that will allow rapid characterisation the transport of pesticides across in-vitro membrane barriers. This data will allow direct rapid screening and prediction of efficiency of candidate molecules, and optimisation of formulation, and will feed into machine learning approaches that will allow us to predict membrane transport based on molecular structure. The approaches employed here will be aligned with those used within BASF and so will feed directly into their supervised and unsupervised predictive models to significantly enhance the efficiency and targeting of insecticide discovery and development.

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Targeting intractable cancer targets through universal proximity-induced pharmacology

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and The Institute of Cancer Research Division of Cancer Therapeutics

Supervisors

• Professor Ed Tate, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr Agnieszka Konopacka, ICR 
• Professor Dima Kozakov, The University of Texas at Austin

Abstract

Despite remarkable advances in medicine, cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Many cancers still lack effective treatments, and numerous cancer-driving proteins remain undruggable by conventional small molecules. The recent emergence of proximity-induced therapeutics has created a unique opportunity to selectively eliminate such proteins through targeted degradation. This strategy harnesses the cell’s natural protein disposal machinery by recruiting E3 ubiquitin ligases using small-molecule drugs such as PROTACs or molecular glue degraders.

Although the human proteome encodes over six hundred E3 ligases, only a handful have been validated for use in targeted protein degradation (TPD), with Cereblon and Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) being the most commonly exploited. While these E3s have enabled the degradation of more than a hundred targets, their activity is inherently limited, and many cancer-relevant proteins remain refractory to degradation. This highlights the urgent need to identify new E3 ligases suitable for TPD and to define the optimal binding sites that facilitate efficient ubiquitin transfer.

To address these challenges, we have developed a novel chemical biology platform termed Site-specific Ligand Incorporation-induced Proximity (SLIP). SLIP provides a universal and high-resolution approach to map ligandable sites on effector proteins by leveraging genetic code expansion (GCE) to incorporate unnatural amino acids (UAAs) at precisely defined positions. This enables systematic exploration of ligand–effector interactions with minimal structural perturbation. By focusing on ligandable cysteine residues and employing targeted covalent ligands, we will use SLIP-derived data to optimise induced-proximity kinetics, potency, and selectivity, thereby accelerating the design of next-generation therapeutics.

This innovative platform opens access to previously intractable targets, streamlines rational drug discovery, and has the potential to transform the treatment of inflammatory and cancer-related diseases by overcoming the inherent limitations of traditional small-molecule approaches.

We welcome applications from candidates with a strong molecular science background (e.g. chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, or related fields) who share our vision to combine cutting-edge chemistry and molecular biology to shape the future of drug discovery. We seek open-minded and curious scientists who will both enrich and benefit from joining our dynamic, diverse, and supportive teams, comprising over twenty nationalities and spanning a wide range of disciplines.

Keywords: Cancer, Drug Discovery, Chemical Biology, Targeted Protein Degradation, PROTACs, Molecular glues

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Precision Nanogel Platforms for Intracellular Activation and Delivery of Potent Anti-Cancer Prodrugs

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and The Institute of Cancer Research Division of Cancer Therapeutics

Supervisors

• Dr Nazila Kamaly, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor Swen Hoelder, ICR 
• Dr Benjamin Bellenie, ICR

Abstract

This project addresses a major barrier in cancer therapy, the poor intracellular delivery of charged, hydrophilic drugs such as phosphate-, phosphonate-, and sulphonate-bearing pro-drugs - by developing stimuli-responsive covalent nanogels for precise, controlled release within tumour cells. These biocompatible polymeric nanogels, assembled under mild aqueous conditions, incorporate cleavable covalent linkers that respond to intracellular triggers such as reductive environments (e.g., glutathione). The dual-function design protects labile therapeutics from systemic degradation while enabling targeted activation within the tumour microenvironment. By tuning crosslinking density, linker chemistry, and surface functionality, the system will be optimised for cellular uptake, endosomal escape, and subcellular release. Proof-of-concept studies will employ representative phosphate- and sulphonate-based anti-cancer pro-drugs, with in vitro imaging and cytometric analyses used to quantify delivery kinetics and pharmacodynamic effects. The outcome will be a versatile, modular nanocarrier platform capable of delivering chemically diverse, hard-to-deliver anti-cancer agents, offering significant translational potential in precision oncology.

Eligibility

This project is open to both Home and Overseas applicants. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Synthesis and evaluation of tumour-targeted chemotherapeutics that induce immunogenic cell death

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and CRUK Convergence Science Centre

Supervisors

• Professor Ramon Vilar, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr Esther Arwert, ICR 
• Dr Francesco Aprile, Department of Chemistry, Imperial

Abstract

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment which harnesses the patient’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells, often with greater precision and longer-lasting effects than traditional therapies. However, one key limitation arises when tumours become unresponsive to immune-based treatments. A promising strategy to overcome this challenge is inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) with small molecules. However, there is still a significant lack of structure-activity correlation in this area. For example, while oxaliplatin is a known ICD inducer, the structurally related cisplatin is not as a stand-alone agent. In this project we will use a combinatorial and automated approach to synthesise focused libraries of metal-based chemotherapeutics and evaluate their ability to induce immunogenic cell death. This approach will allow us to screen hundreds of new compounds and identify leads; these will be then conjugated to cancer-targeting nanobodies and studied in-depth to establish their effect on tumour microenvironment and the underlying mechanism of ICD.

Eligibility

This 4-year PhD studentship project is only open to applicants with Home fee status. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

This project does not include an MRes, but successful candidates will be part of both the ICB CDT TechExpert training programme and CRUK Convergence Science Centre training programme and expected to attend all training elements.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Synthetic cells for cancer therapeutics

This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and CRUK Convergence Science Centre

Supervisors

• Professor Oscar Ces, Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Dr Adam Sharp, ICR
• Professor Charlotte Bevan,  Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial
• Dr James Hindley, Kings College London

Abstract

Synthetic cells are engineered, cell-like systems built from the bottom-up using defined molecular components including lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and polymers—that mimic key cellular functions without biological complexity. They can be designed to emulate cellular functions and can sense signals, process information, and actuate responses, such as releasing therapeutics. As such these biological microrobots offer exciting opportunities for programmable, controllable biomedical applications. This studentship will exploit the exciting therapeutic potential of synthetic cells to tackle advanced prostate cancer (PCa).

Despite increases in overall survival afforded by the development of multiple new treatments PCa remains lethal due to eventual, inevitable treatment resistance. Current therapies are associated with undesirable side-effects and systemic toxicities which decrease compliance and adversely affect patients’ quality of life. Thus, there is an urgent unmet clinical need in inoperable, therapy resistant PCa for the  development of innovative treatment strategies with novel mechanisms of action that are effective and well-tolerated. We have identified novel apoptotic treatment strategies targeting the anti-apoptotic protein MCL1, alone or in synergistic combinations, that drive cancer specific cell death in lethal PCa. We aim to exploit this breakthrough by loading these drugs into “synthetic cells” that can respond specifically to the prostate tumour microenvironment to release their payload in a targeted, tumour cell-specific manner.

The project will exploit a variety of techniques to design and make the synthetic cells before going on to test their therapeutic potential.  This will include the use of microfluidics, microscopy, automation, AI and machine learning to undertake closed-loop development of synthetic cells including their manufacture and drug loading capabilities. These de novo programmable nanorobots have the downstream potential to target other types of cancer and disease through systematic modification of their payloads and targeting motifs.

Eligibility

This 4-year PhD studentship project is only open to applicants with Home fee status. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

This project does not include an MRes, but successful candidates will be part of both the ICB CDT TechExpert training programme and CRUK Convergence Science Centre training programme and expected to attend all training elements.

Deadline

Friday 30th January 2026, 5pm.

Title

Decoding mechanisms and drug targets in protein lipidation

This project is funded by the Department of Chemistry, Imperial

• Criteria: Masters level degree in a molecular science; open to Home fee status students only
• Starts: October 2026
• Location: Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial White City Campus and the Francis Crick Institute
• Benefits: UK/Home fees, enhanced stipend (ca. £31,000 pa.) under the TechExpert programme
• Deadline: 10th February 2026, 5pm, interviews in late February 2025

• Email contact: e.tate@imperial.ac.uk

• Website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/tate-group/

Supervisors

• Professor Ed Tate, GSK Chair in Chemical Biology, Imperial College London and the Francis Crick Institute

Abstract

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year PhD studentship in the Tate group at Imperial College’s White City Campus, on understanding mechanisms and identifying novel drug targets in protein lipidation post-translational modification (PTM). The specific focus of this project will be on enzymes modulating long-chain acylation at cysteine, known as S-acylation (or protein palmitoylation). Candidates will require a strong molecular sciences background at the Master level (e.g. MRes or MSci in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, or molecular biology), and a passion for discovery science which can lead to therapeutic advances. Technologies we are currently applying to this challenge include enzyme/substrate engineering to enable discovery of S-acylation substrates in cells, chemical proteomics and interactomics, novel assay development for high-throughput screening and medicinal chemistry, encoded libraries (DELs, mRNA display), synthetic biology (DNA library design/selection), structure determination by cryoEM, genetic code expansion, and cell line engineering.

The studentship will be part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Chemical Biology: Empowering UK BioTech Innovation, at the Institute of Chemical Biology at Imperial, and is available to start in October 2026. Applicants must qualify for UK/Home fee status, and the successful candidate will receive an enhanced stipend of £10,000 above the UKRI minimum (total ca. £31,000 pa.) under the government’s  TechExpert pilot to help grow the UK’s national capability in chemical Biology and AI research, part of the UK’s modern industrial strategy. In return, you will take part in additional TechExpert activities for up to 10 days each year including outreach to promote tech careers, networking with the TechFirst community and engagement with the biotech industry.

Protein S-acylation is a rich and widespread class of protein post-translational modification (PTM), with key roles in signalling, cell death, immunity, protein stability and trafficking. More than 1000 proteins are S-acylated, including 150 cancer drug targets which are not amenable to traditional drug discovery. Intervening in the extensive network of enzymes regulating protein lipidation presents a unique opportunity to target these ‘undruggable’ proteins. The Tate lab has developed chemical proteomic technologies to study all the major classes of protein lipidation, including the first chemical genetic systems to map enzyme-specific S-acylation. We have also delivered target validation and novel lipidation inhibitors, co-founding Myricx Bio to translate our work to benefit patients. To date, Myricx has raised over $120  million, and will take our lipidation inhibitors into clinical trials in 2026, as first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) payloads.

You will join a multidisciplinary team at Imperial, and collaborate with scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and nationally, through a recent £6.4M BBSRC strategic award focused on protein S-acylation (https://www.ukri.org/news/bbsrc-injects-20-million-into-long-term-discovery-research/). You will have the opportunity to work on chemical probe design, chemical genetics, proteomics, structure, and mechanistic drug target validation using modern gene editing and screening approaches. You will receive training in all relevant aspects of chemical biology and cell biology.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a CV and cover letter detailing their suitability for this studentship along with at least two references to Prof Tate (e.tate@imperial.ac.uk). The first applications will be considered by 23rd January and the opportunity will then be filled once a suitable candidate is identified.

Representative references:

• “A palmitoyl transferase chemical genetic system to map ZDHHC-specific S-acylation”, Nature Biotechnology 2024, 42, 1548.
• “Protein lipidation in cancer: mechanisms, dysregulation and emerging drug targets”, Nature Reviews Cancer 2024, 24, 240.
• “Palmitoyl transferase ZDHHC20 promotes pancreatic cancer metastasis”, Cell Reports 2024, 43, 114224.
• “Structure, mechanism, and inhibition of Hedgehog acyltransferase”, Mol Cell 2021, 81, 5025.
• “Proteome-wide analysis of protein lipidation using chemical probes”, Nature Protocols 2021, 16, 5083.
• “High-resolution snapshots of human N-myristoyltransferase in action”, Nature Comms 2020, 11, 1132.
• “FSP1 is a glutathione-independent ferroptosis suppressor”, Nature 2019, 575, 693.
• “Dual chemical probes enable quantitative system-wide analysis of protein prenylation and prenylation dynamics”, Nature Chemistry 2019, 11, 552-61.
• “Fragment-derived inhibitors of human N-myristoyltransferase block capsid assembly and replication of the common cold virus”, Nature Chemistry 2018, 10, 599–606.

Eligibility

This project is only open to  applicants with Home fee status. For further information, please review our Eligibility criteria and How to apply.

Deadline

10th February 2026, 5pm. The first applications will be considered by 23rd January and the opportunity will then be filled once a suitable candidate is identified.

Interviews will be held in late February 2026.