AstraZeneca Non-Clinical PhD Studentship in Next-generation TPD for Oncology: Harnessing Ubiquitin-independent Pathways University of Cambridge in United Kingdom

[Funding is available for 4 years and covers the student's stipend and tuition fees at the Home rate. Overseas students may apply if they meet UK residency requirements (home fees) or can cover the extra international fee difference through external scholarships or funding schemes. Students may not self-fund the fee difference.]

PhD studentship in next-generation targeted protein degradation for oncology at the University of Cambridge, in partnership with AstraZeneca. The Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge is offering a funded PhD studentship in Central Cambridge focused on proteasome-targeting tools and novel approaches to Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD). The project sits at the interface of cell biology, biochemistry, and drug discovery, with a strong translational emphasis on oncology.

Research theme. The successful student will investigate Midnolin, a protein that can deliver substrates directly to the proteasome, and explore how it can be co-opted for ubiquitin-independent degradation. The programme includes studying Midnolin biology and its endogenous regulation across cellular time and space, discovering binders that can harness the cell’s endogenous Midnolin pool, and engineering exogenous Midnolin-based degrader tools for directed degradation of oncology targets.

Supervision and research environment. The student will join the lab of Dr Catherine Lindon in the Department of Pharmacology. The supervisory team also includes Dr Gustavo Gutierrez (Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca), Professor Laura Itzhaki (Department of Pharmacology), Dr Sharan Bagal (Oncology Chemistry, AstraZeneca), and Dr David McGarry (Oncology Bioscience, AstraZeneca). This creates a joint academic–industry environment spanning basic mechanistic biology and therapeutic discovery.

Funding. The studentship is funded for 4 years and covers the student stipend and tuition fees at the Home rate. Overseas applicants may be eligible if they meet UK residency requirements for home fees or can cover the additional international fee costs through scholarships or external funding schemes. Self-funding of the fee difference is not allowed.

Eligibility. Applicants should have, or shortly expect to obtain, a first or high 2:1 bachelor's degree from a UK university, or an equivalent degree from an overseas university, in a relevant subject. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, able to work independently, and have good knowledge and/or experience in both biochemistry and cell biology, with a strong interest in TPD approaches.

How to apply. Applications must be submitted through the University of Cambridge application portal. Candidates should apply for the PhD in Pharmacology and use the studentship title as the proposed project title. Instead of a standard research proposal, applicants are asked to upload a one-page A4 statement covering motivation, relevant skills, what they hope to achieve, and long-term career aspirations. The application deadline is Monday 16 November 2026. Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Catherine Lindon at [email protected]. Quote reference PL51373 in the application and all correspondence.