Engineering Endogenous Peptides for Brain-Targeted Therapeutics and Drug Delivery Systems

Delivering medicines to the brain is a major challenge in biomedical science due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts most therapeutic compounds from entering the central nervous system (CNS). This PhD project at Queen’s University Belfast aims to engineer peptides and biomimetic platforms that enable safe, targeted, and efficient delivery of drugs to the brain. The research will focus on designing molecules capable of traversing the BBB without compromising its integrity, and selectively interacting with specific brain targets. The ultimate goal is to create a new platform technology for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders that currently lack effective CNS delivery solutions. The student will work at the intersection of organic chemistry, chemical biology, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence, gaining experience in both experimental and computational techniques. The project is led by Dr Lucia Lombardi (Queen’s University Belfast), with collaboration from Dr Sophie Morse (Imperial College London), Dr Yuval Elani (Imperial College London), and Dr Paulina Quintanilla (University College London), providing a rich interdisciplinary environment. Candidates should have a strong background in chemistry, especially organic chemistry lab skills, and knowledge of drug delivery systems and basic machine learning concepts is highly desirable. The position is open to UK/ROI and international candidates who meet the Department for the Economy (DfE) academic criteria. The successful applicant will join a vibrant research community, learn cutting-edge laboratory and AI-driven analytical techniques, and contribute to the development of advanced drug delivery solutions for brain disorders. Applications must be submitted via the Queen’s University Belfast online portal by January 16, 2026.