NMR Spectroscopy and Computational Design of Drug Conjugates supported by AstraZeneca

A PhD position is available to explore the computational design and NMR analysis of linker units used to connect targeting and warhead components of drug conjugates. We are looking for a motivated researcher (UK or EU) with a 1st class degree interested in both computation and spectroscopy who can work within a multi-disciplinary team (computation, NMR, synthesis) working on design, synthesis and control of 3D molecular structure of flexible molecules in solution. This project will develop (i) new designs of drug conjugate linkers that will improve bioactivity and physico-chemical properties of pharmaceuticals (ii) computational approaches to predicting and understanding NMR structural parameters that reflect 3-dimensional structure (scalar and dipolar couplings, chemical shift anisotropies). For representative publications of our applications of NMR and computation to 3D structure determination, see: Nature, 2014, 513, 183-188; Org. Biomol. Chem., 2011, 9 (1), 177 – 184; Chem Commun., 2011, 1193-1195. Potential applicants are invited to contact Dr Butts ([Email Address Removed]) or Professor Mulholland ([Email Address Removed]) for further information. The position will commence in September 2017 and be funded for 42 months.