PhD Studentship in the Protein Folding of Antibody Drugs at the University of Cambridge

In collaboration with MedImmune, the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications is inviting applications for a fully funded 1+3 years MRes + PhD studentship commencing in October 2016.

This fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship is available at the University of Cambridge, jointly between the departments of Chemistry (Dr Sophie Jackson) and Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (Dr Jonathan Phillips). The student will be enrolled in the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications (http://cdt.sensors.cam.ac.uk). The first year involves a highly interdisciplinary programme consisting of lectures, practicals and research projects covering a wide range of technologies and applications in sensing and imaging. Successful completion of the first year will lead to a Master of Research qualification (MRes) and optimal preparation for the PhD project in years 2-4.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student with a strong academic background in natural sciences and an interest in biophysical methods to study protein structure, dynamics and folding. The successful applicant will be undertaking research focused on antibody drugs in partnership with a leading antibody drug discovery company - MedImmune Limited. The top-selling drug in the world – Adalimumab (Humira) – is an antibody discovered at MedImmune and antibody drugs are now a major focus of the pharmaceutical industry.

This PhD project will focus on studying antibody folding by innovative techniques and in new drug formats in cancer therapy, such as antibody-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles. This will require the application of analytical techniques, such as optical spectroscopies, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and super-resolution microscopy. The project is funded through a productive collaboration with MedImmune Ltd (the biopharmaceutical subsidiary of AstraZeneca).

The successful candidate must:
1. Be highly motivated and able to work independently.
2. Have an excellent academic basis in physics/chemistry/biochemistry or a related subject. The project will be interdisciplinary with emphasis on physical methods to study protein structure, dynamics and folding.
4. Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate collaborative work.
5. Obtain (or be about to obtain) a First Class or high 2.1 degree in a relevant field from a UK institution or the equivalent from a non-UK university. (If you hold a non-UK degree, please see
http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-students/international-qualifications to determine if your final grade/mark will satisfy that requirement).
6. Meet the graduate admissions entrance requirements of the University of Cambridge which can be found at http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/gradadmissions/prospec/studying/entryreq/

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Sophie Jackson ([Email Address Removed]) or Dr Jonathan Phillips ([Email Address Removed]).

For more information about the Sensor CDT and how to apply for this position please visit http://cdt.sensors.cam.ac.uk/how-to-apply