This project is co-sponsored by the EPSRC CDT in Chemical Biology and T he NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)

Supervisors

• Dr Yuval Elani , Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial
• Professor Oscar Ces , Department of Chemistry, Imperial
• Professor Rongjun Chen , Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial

Abstract

The rise of biomolecular therapeutics — DNA, RNA, and protein-based therapies — has revolutionised the pharmaceutical industry, redefining modern medicine. These modalities increasingly depend on nano-delivery vehicles, but progress in nanoparticle design has struggled to keep pace. While hundreds of advanced biomolecular cargos are advancing through clinical pipelines, most lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) remain rudimentary in architecture, lacking structural and functional diversity.

This disconnect limits their therapeutic potential, as structure and function are deeply interconnected — more sophisticated LNP architectures hold the key to unlocking new functionalities and will allow long-standing bottlenecks in the sector to be addressed.

This PhD project aims to revolutionise LNP design by developing novel physical science innovations, combining microfluidic technologies with biomembrane engineering principles. By integrating these approaches, we will establish a Lab-on-Chip Micro-Foundry — a platform for the precise manufacture, manipulation, and characterisation of multi-compartment LNPs. This will enable the discovery of new LNP architectures with enhanced targeting capabilities (including intracellular delivery), improved endosomal escape, and multi-stage release of drugs and antigens, which collectively optimise immunogenic and therapeutic profiles.

This project is ideal for candidates with a strong first degree in molecular sciences (e.g., chemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering). We seek collaborative and open-minded individuals to join our dynamic, ambitious, and supportive teams at Imperial College London.

Studentship Information and Eligibility

This 1+3 [1-year MRes and 3-year PhD] studentship will form part of the 2025 entry cohort (Cohort 2) of the Institute of Chemical Biology's EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Chemical Biology: Empowering UK BioTech Innovation (ICB CDT).

The project will commence in October 2025, where the successful candidate will undertake a number of transferrable skills training courses with their cohort.

This project is available to candidates with both Home and Overseas fee status. For information on what this means, please review the eligibility criteria on our website .

We will only consider candidates who have achieved an upper second or first class degree in a relevant subject, with at least 50% physical sciences background.

To apply for this studentship, please apply via My Imperial , and select 'Postgraduate Taught (Postgraduate Masters/MRes, Intercalated)' and ‘Chemical Biology and Bio-Entrepreneurship [1+3] (MRes 1YFT + PhD 3YFT)’.

Once your application has been submitted, please e-mail [email protected] to confirm.

Application Deadline: 27 April 2025

This studentship opportunity was released on Thursday 20 March 2025