Development of new tools and technologies for the analysis of mRNA medicines

mRNA therapeutics currently have a market value of >$40 billion, which is estimated to grow to over $100 billion by 2026. In one of the greatest scientific accomplishments of our generation, mRNA technology has demonstrated the ability to change the timeline for developing and delivering a new vaccine from years to months. The potential of mRNA technology for rapid vaccine development has recently been highlighted by the successful development and approval of two mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Importantly, this RNA-based approach holds promise for treatments beyond vaccines and infectious diseases to diverse biologics as treatments for cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and autoimmune diseases. 

The studentship aims to develop new tools and technologies for the analysis of mRNA medicines which is critical to underpin manufacturing and the development of new therapeutics/vaccines. There is currently significant demand for the development of faster, more sensitive, robust analytical methods for the characterisation of mRNA medicines.

Training will be offered in a wide range of biochemical and analytical methods including mRNA synthesis, mRNA purification, mass spectrometry, agarose gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis and HPLC.

This PhD project is in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield and is associated with research focussing on developing end-to-end automated, continuous, compact, multi-product mRNA process-in-a-box: the RNAboxTM.

For more information about the research work of Prof. Dickman and Dr. Kis, please visit:

• Prof. Mark Dickman (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cbe/people/academic-staff/mark-dickman) 
• Dr. Zoltan Kis (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cbe/people/academic-staff/zoltan-kis)  

For inquiries or additional information, please reach out to Prof. Mark Dickman (m.dickman@sheffield.ac.uk).

Please see this link for information on how to apply: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cbe/postgraduate/phd/how-apply. Please include the name of your proposed supervisor and the title of the PhD project within your application.

Applicants should have a first class or upper second class honours degree in chemistry, bioscience, biochemical engineering or a related discipline, or a merit or distinction in a suitable MSc. Experience working in a research laboratory is desirable. All applicants should have a strong interest in analytical science.