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Dr Andrea Vernall
Applications accepted all year round
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Research project
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join an interdisciplinary team at the University of Otago, to undertake research developing chemical probes for the cannabinoid receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). This project primarily involves the design and multi-step organic synthesis of small molecule ligands for the cannabinoid receptor. Further details of this project can be discussed upon application.
This project will involve techniques such as anhydrous reaction conditions, silica column chromatography, HPLC, NMR, MS and HPLC. Some research experience in laboratory-based multi-step organic synthesis is essential (e.g. a minimum of a synthetic Honours or Masters research project). There is also scope for the student to expand their organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry skill set by undertaking experiments in other disciplines during this project, for example molecular modelling and/or biological assays.
This project will be based at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand (https://www.otago.ac.nz/chemistry/index.html), primarily supervised by Dr Andrea Vernall (https://www.otago.ac.nz/chemistry/people/otago743128.html).
Eligibility
The candidate will hold a BSc (Hons) or MSc in organic or medicinal chemistry or synthetic drug discovery or a related discipline, or a BPharm (Hons) or MPharm with a significant chemistry component. The candidate will have completed a practical multi-step organic chemistry project (e.g. not a taught Masters) and will be enthusiastic and passionate about research.
The student must apply for and successfully gain a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship. A GPA equivalent to an Otago GPA of 8.0 (A) or above on a 9 point scale is necessary for Scholarship application. This University Scholarship application is made with the support of the potential PhD supervisor, so please contact Dr Vernall (andrea.vernall@otago.ac.nz) as the first step.
To Apply / Express interest in this project
Please send your CV and academic transcript to Dr Vernall. Please note for Scholarship application an English language test document may also be required, for instance if English is not your first language.
Funding Notes
The applicant must be eligible for admission to the PhD programme at the University of Otago, and apply and be awarded a University of Otago doctoral scholarship (View Website). The PhD scholarship provides NZ$30,696 stipend per annum plus a domestic tuition fees waiver for 36 months (excludes student services fee and insurance). International candidates receive the same package as New Zealand residents provided they reside in New Zealand for the duration of the project and study under a New Zealand student visa.
References
Liddle, I.; Glass, M.; Tyndall, J. D.A.; Vernall, A.J.; Covalent cannabinoid receptor ligands – structural insight and selectivity challenges. RSC Med. Chem., 2022,13, 497-510
Trinh, P. N. H.; Chong, D. J. W.; Leach, K.; Leach, A. R.; Hill, S. J.; Tyndall, J. D. A.; May, L. T.; Vernall, A. J.; Gregory, K. J. Development of Covalent, Clickable Probes for Adenosine A1 and A3 Receptors. J. Med. Chem. 2021, doi.org–10.1021–acs.jmedchem.0c02169.
Singh, S.; Oyagawa, C. R. M.; MacDonald, C.; Grimsey, N. L.; Glass, M.; Vernall, A. J. Chromenopyrazole-Based High Affinity, Selective Fluorescent Ligands for Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor. ACS Med. Chem. Lett. 2019, 10 (2), 209–214.
Trinh, P. N. H.; Chong, D. J. W.; Leach, K.; Leach, A. R.; Hill, S. J.; Tyndall, J. D. A.; May, L. T.; Vernall, A. J.; Gregory, K. J. Development of Covalent, Clickable Probes for Adenosine A1 and A3 Receptors. J. Med. Chem. 2021, doi.org–10.1021–acs.jmedchem.0c02169.
Singh, S.; Oyagawa, C. R. M.; MacDonald, C.; Grimsey, N. L.; Glass, M.; Vernall, A. J. Chromenopyrazole-Based High Affinity, Selective Fluorescent Ligands for Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor. ACS Med. Chem. Lett. 2019, 10 (2), 209–214.
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