PhD Studentship in Protein Kinases: The University of Leeds offers a fully funded PhD studentship under the guidance of Professor Adam Nelson and Dr. Megan Wright. This research project focuses on the innovative area of covalent drug discovery, with an emphasis on targeting conserved lysine residues in protein kinases. The successful candidate will develop and utilize high-throughput chemistry and chemical proteomic approaches to discover novel covalent modifiers.
PhD Studentship in High-Throughput Discovery of Lysine-Directed Probes for Protein Kinases
Designation
PhD Studentship in Chemistry
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Project Start Date | Wednesday, 1 October 2025 |
| Application Deadline | Monday, 31 March 2025 |
| Funding Amount | Full academic fees + tax-free maintenance grant of £19,237 per year |
| Duration | 3.5 years |
| Funding Source | EPSRC Research Grant APP5370 |
| Location | University of Leeds, UK |
Research Area
- Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry
- Structural Biology
Eligibility/Qualification
- Applicants should possess at least a first-class or upper second-class British Bachelor’s Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
- A Master’s degree may be required for some research degrees.
- Evidence of meeting the English language requirement: IELTS score of 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent.
Description
This PhD project aims to harness high-throughput chemical approaches to create diverse sets of lysine-directed probes for protein kinases. The objectives include:
- Developing high-throughput chemistry for synthesizing kinase probes.
- Discovering novel covalent modifiers of protein kinases using high-throughput experimentation.
- Characterizing the mechanisms of action of the discovered probes through various biochemical and structural biology methods.
The research will take place within the esteemed Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, utilizing state-of-the-art structural biology and chemical proteomics capabilities.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the University’s online application portal:
- Indicate your intention to apply for PhD Chemistry.
- Specify “High-throughput discovery of lysine-directed probes for protein kinases” in the research information section.
- Mention Professor Adam Nelson as your proposed supervisor.
- State that you are applying for the “School of Chemistry Scholarship 2025/26 (EPSRC Research Grant APP5370)” in the finance section.
- If English is not your first language, ensure you meet the minimum English language requirements.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their application informally with the supervisors beforehand.
Supporting Documents Required:
- Full Transcripts of all degree studies (or current transcripts for final year students).
- A Personal Statement outlining interest in the project.
- CV.
Last Date to Apply
Applications should be submitted by Monday, 31 March 2025.
For further inquiries, you may contact Professor Adam Nelson via email at A.S.Nelson@leeds.ac.uk or the PGR Admissions team at phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk.
