Prof Ali Tavassoli, Prof Peter Roach
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Application Deadline: rolling, appoint as soon as suitable candidate identified.
PhD Description:
We are seeking a highly motivated student for an interdisciplinary PhD spanning chemical biology and microfluidics. This project aims to develop an ultra high-throughput platform for the generation and screening of cyclic peptide libraries.
Cyclic peptides are increasingly used in drug discovery against challenging targets such as protein-protein interactions. There are several advantages to the cyclic peptide scaffold, such as resistance to proteolysis and limited conformational freedom conferred by backbone cyclization, which yields molecules that engage their targets with high selectivity and affinity. However, current methods used for the generation and screening of cyclic peptide libraries have several limitations. Here, we aim to develop a platform that overcomes the limitations of current methodologies.
The project will be supervised by Professor Ali Tavassoli. The Tavassoli lab have expertise in the discovery and development of several first in class cyclic peptide protein-protein interaction inhibitors.
Prior experience with chemical biology and/or microfluidics would be an advantage, although this is not essential; the successful candidate will receive training in the required techniques. The optimal candidate will be inquisitive and enjoy problem solving and developing novel technologies. The multidisciplinary nature of the project will provide outstanding training for the successful applicant. They will benefit from the existing expertise of the Tavassoli lab, receiving training in a wide variety of techniques and disciplines, and becoming expert in a range of experimental techniques, a skillset that will undoubtedly leave the students very well placed in terms of finding future positions.
Funding Notes
The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain at least an upper second class degree in chemistry or allied subjects/relevant disciplines. Funding will cover fees and a stipend at current research council rates of £ 14,553per annum.
References
Applications for a PhD in Chemistry should be submitted online at https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Search
Please ensure you select the academic session 2017-2018 in the academic year field and click on the Research radio button. Enter Chemistry in the search text field.
Please place Prof Ali Tavassoli in the field for proposed supervisor/project
General enquiries should be made ali1@soton.ac.uk. Any queries on the application process should be made to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk
Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified
Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified
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