The Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2Ri) draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. The vision is to be the leading provider of applied research excellence delivering materials, computing, science and engineering innovations meeting the development needs of industry.
This project is part of a Graduate Teaching Assistants scheme, in which the successful applicant will undertake certain teaching duties associated with the student experience, in addition to working towards a PhD qualification. They contribute to up to 180 hours of support for research or teaching related activity per academic year. This activity forms part of the scholarship award and there is no additional payment.
PhD Research Topic
Cancer is currently one of the leading causes of death and has huge social and economic impacts worldwide. The quest for new anticancer treatments is therefore as urgent as ever. The main challenges in this field are the existence of therapeutic resistant cancer cells and the need to selectively kill cancer cells whilst leaving normal cells unaffected. Metal-based therapeutics offer significant advantages over purely organic compounds due to their versatile electronic and structural features which can be fine-tuned through modifications to ligand architectures. Incorporating a bioactive molecule as a ligand in a transition metal complex can enhance solubility and passive cellular uptake, and where the metal is also biologically active can provide a dual-action drug which can circumvent resistance mechanisms.
In this project novel gold(I) complexes will be prepared with plant-derived polyphenol-based ligands. Polyphenols have recently gained interest as compounds which have anti-cancer activity and can also enhance the efficacy of standard chemotherapy agents. Their incorporation into a metal complex can allow co-delivery of two bioactive components to a cancer cell. Gold(I) has not only been shown to be better tolerated in vivo than the widely used platinum-based drugs, but also acts through a different mechanism of action and consequently has improved selectivity and fewer side-effects.
The complexes will be screened in a panel of cell lines using 2D and 3D cell culture techniques and the mechanism of action and subsequent cell death pathways analysed to provide insight into structure-activity relationships. This multidisciplinary project will combine synthetic chemistry with state-of-the-art analytical and cell culture techniques.
Eligibility
Applicants should hold a 1st or 2:1 Honours degree in either Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related discipline. A Master’s degree in a related area is desirable. Cell culture experience would also be beneficial. We are offering this as a full-time PhD scholarship. We welcome applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.
Information for International applicants
We have a mandatory English language requirement of IELTS 7 with a score of at least 6.5 in all test areas, or equivalent language qualification, for all applicants to whom English is not their first language. This qualification should have been taken within the last two years.
Further information about equivalent English language qualifications can be found here
Generally, the shortfall between the Home and International fee, currently around £10,300 per year, will need to be covered by the student for the duration of the studentship. As part of the Sheffield Hallam PhD scholarship programme, additional funding may be made available to assist International students with this fee gap. This additional funding is limited, though, and will only be offered to exceptional International applicants. Allocation of this additional funding will be based on information obtained through the standard GTA recruitment process, and no additional application will be required.
How to apply
We strongly recommend you contact a member of the supervisory team before making an application.
To apply for this GTA scholarship, please use our online application form.
You must ensure that you upload:
1. A letter of intent (1 page maximum) detailing why you are interested in the project and how your experience and background can make you the best candidate for this project. Please also identify potential areas you can contribute to within the teaching departments associated with this project. (Please upload this in place of a proposal)
2. Two letters of reference, one must be from an academic and both must be dated within the last 2 years (if you are not able to collate these by the application deadline please include referee details and these can follow afterwards).
3. Copy of your highest degree certificate (if available).
4. Non-UK applicants must submit IELTs results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years and a copy of their passport.
The closing date for all applications is 11:59pm (UK time) 12 May 2023. Ensure that applications are submitted before the deadline as late applications will not be accepted.
Interviews are scheduled for: 6 June 2023 onwards
Further information about our research degrees can be found here
An Overview of the GTA scheme can be found here
The Conditions of the Award can be found here
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