A fully funded PhD studentship is available at the University of East Anglia, supervised by Amr El-Demerdash (Group leader and Assistant Professor in Chemical Biology) and Professor Rob Field. The project focuses on biocatalytic diversification of complex natural products to enhance their therapeutic performance, using green chemistry approaches for drug discovery. Students will work at the interface of chemistry, biology, and sustainability, tackling challenges in drug development through innovative, eco-friendly methods.

The research involves modifying natural products such as plumbagin, lithocholic acid, and camptothecin using advanced biocatalysts (cytochrome P450s, hydroxylases, flavin-dependent halogenases). The aim is to improve solubility, metabolic stability, and reduce toxicity, thereby increasing clinical potential. The project includes collaboration with Prozomix Ltd., an industrial leader in enzyme development, offering a three-month placement for industrial experience in enzyme production and biocatalytic process development.

Training will cover biocatalysis, enzyme screening, natural product derivatization, analytical chemistry (NMR, LC-MS, HPLC), and mammalian cell-based pharmacology. Applicants should have a background in biological chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, or related disciplines, and a strong interest in enzyme-enabled drug discovery. The studentship is fully funded by the BBSRC NRPDTP, covering tuition and stipend. Applications are open until 2nd December 2025, with the program starting on 1st October 2026. For more details and to apply, visit the Norwich Research Park DTP website.