The Francis Crick Institute is offering a fully funded 4-year PhD position in the field of bioinorganic chemistry, supervised by Dr. Jeannine Hess, Group Leader and Lecturer at The Francis Crick Institute and King's College London. The project focuses on the rational design and synthesis of metal-based molecules to develop new therapeutic strategies, building on the lab's innovative LAMP-D (Light-Activated Metal-dependent Protein Degradation) technology. This research aims to create metal complexes with diverse organic directing and targeting units, exploring their potential as chemical probes and therapeutic candidates to address challenging and 'undruggable' protein targets, particularly in the context of drug-resistant bacteria.

As a PhD student in the Hess Lab, you will investigate the biological activity, uptake, selectivity, and mechanisms of action of these novel compounds. The work will involve state-of-the-art synthetic and analytical methods, including organic synthesis, organometallic chemistry, and a range of biophysical and biochemical techniques such as DSF, ligand-based NMR, ITC, in vitro enzymatic assays, and protein expression. The project is highly interdisciplinary, situated at the interface of chemistry and biology, and offers the opportunity to contribute to pioneering science in a collaborative and creative research environment.

Applicants should have a strong background in organic synthesis, organometallic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, bioinorganic chemistry, or a related field. Excellent communication skills, creativity, and enthusiasm for multidisciplinary teamwork are essential. The position is fully funded, with details on stipend and tuition typically provided by the Crick Institute for eligible students. The application deadline is 17 March 2026. For more information, visit the official Crick PhD project page or contact Dr. Jeannine Hess.