The Francis Crick Institute
2 weeks ago
Funded PhD in Supramolecular Lipid Nanoparticle Functionalisation for Targeted Nucleic Acid Delivery The Francis Crick Institute in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Biochemistry
Funding
Successful applicants will receive a non-taxable annual stipend of £27,715 plus payment of university tuition fees. Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply.
Country
United Kingdom
University
The Francis Crick Institute
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About this position
Funded PhD opportunity at The Francis Crick Institute / King’s College London
This PhD project, supervised by Dr Charlie McTernan, focuses on supramolecular chemistry, lipid nanoparticles, and targeted delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics. The research aims to develop a host-guest conjugation platform for modular functionalisation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), enabling precise and high-throughput attachment of targeting groups for improved tissue-specific delivery beyond the liver.
The project sits at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry, and nanotechnology. Students will work on supramolecular approaches to create robust, purification-free targeted LNPs and then evaluate them using analytical and biological methods. The work includes organic synthesis, peptide synthesis, HPLC, flash chromatography, crystallisation, NMR, mass spectrometry, SPR, ITC, nanoparticle synthesis and analysis, cell culture, and microscopy.
Ideal background: chemistry or biochemistry, with an interest in interdisciplinary research. Experience or interest in organic synthesis is an advantage, and applicants should be willing to learn new techniques.
Funding: successful applicants receive a non-taxable annual stipend of £27,715 plus university tuition fees. Students of all nationalities are eligible.
Location: London, United Kingdom, with research activity across the Francis Crick Institute and King’s College London.
Application prompt: applicants are asked to answer a lab-specific question about what aspect of the lab’s research they would like to explore further and what perspective, skill, or approach they would bring.
Funding details
Successful applicants will receive a non-taxable annual stipend of £27,715 plus payment of university tuition fees. Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply.
What's required
Candidates should have a background in chemistry or biochemistry and an interest in working at the interface between disciplines. An interest in organic synthesis would be an asset, and applicants should be willing to learn new techniques. The project also involves training in organic synthesis, supramolecular chemistry, peptide synthesis, nanoparticle synthesis and analysis, cell culture, microscopy, HPLC, flash chromatography, crystallisation, NMR, mass spectrometry, SPR, and ITC.
How to apply
Review the project details and answer the lab-specific question in the application. Apply through the FindAPhD listing or the institution's PhD application route if provided on the project page.
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