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European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

PhD in Glycosylation of Therapeutic Proteins using Advanced X-ray Scattering European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Biochemistry

Funding

Fixed-term PhD contract for 4 years, co-funded by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and the University of Southampton. Year 1 may be mainly at Southampton, years 2-3 mainly at ESRF, and year 4 flexible between sites.

Deadline

Sep 11, 2026

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Country

France

University

European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

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Keywords

Biochemistry
Computer Science
Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering
Biophysics
Biology
Structural Biology
X-ray Scattering
Medical Science
Glycosylation
Physics

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About this position

PhD position at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France, in collaboration with the University of Southampton.

This project focuses on glycosylation in therapeutic proteins and uses advanced X-ray scattering at the BM29 BioSWAXS beamline to resolve glycan conformation and occupancy directly from solution scattering data. The work combines structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry, computational glycobiology, and scientific programming to build and validate a computational pipeline using tools such as GlycoShape, Re-Glyco, and SWAXS-based scoring.

You will work across four benchmark glycoprotein systems, including therapeutic antibody fragments, viral envelope immunogens, and IgG Fc glycoforms, with relevance to cancer therapeutics, autoimmune disease, antiviral research, biopharmaceutical quality control, and vaccine design.

Training is split between two institutions. At Southampton, you will learn protein production, purification, LC-MS/MS glycan profiling, and computational glycobiology. At ESRF, you will learn SWAXS data collection, beamline operation, and model fitting, with exposure to the international BM29 user community and nearby MXIS beamlines.

The position is a fixed-term PhD contract for 4 years and is co-funded by ESRF and the University of Southampton. The first year may be mainly based at Southampton, years 2-3 mainly at ESRF, and year 4 flexible between sites.

Eligibility: a degree enabling PhD enrolment in biochemistry, computational biosciences, biophysics, natural sciences, structural biology, or a closely related discipline. Experience in solution scattering, structural biology, computational protein modelling, or glycobiology is advantageous. Strong English and willingness to learn Python/data analysis are expected.

Deadline: 11 September 2026.

Funding details

Fixed-term PhD contract for 4 years, co-funded by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and the University of Southampton. Year 1 may be mainly at Southampton, years 2-3 mainly at ESRF, and year 4 flexible between sites.

What's required

Degree enabling PhD enrolment in biochemistry, computational biosciences, biophysics, natural sciences, structural biology, or a closely related discipline. Strong interest in integrative structural biology and bridging computational with experimental approaches. Prior experience in solution scattering, structural biology, computational protein modelling, or glycobiology is a strong advantage. Comfort with or willingness to learn scientific programming such as Python for pipeline development and data analysis. Excellent written and spoken English. Ability to work independently and collaboratively across an international, multi-site team.

How to apply

Apply via the ESRF application page linked in the post. Review the full vacancy details and submit your application through the portal before the deadline. Contact Dr Hayden Fisher for further information if needed.

More information can be found here

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