PhD Studentship in Medicinal Chemistry: High-throughput Chemistry and Direct-to-Biology Testing to Accelerate Drug Discovery Newcastle University in United Kingdom

[£20,780 stipend (2025/26 UKRI rate) plus 100% fees covered. Additional project costs provided. Funded by EPSRC and Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals.]

PhD Studentship in Medicinal Chemistry: High-throughput Chemistry and Direct-to-Biology Testing to Accelerate Drug Discovery

Newcastle University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship focused on developing innovative high-throughput chemistry methods to accelerate drug discovery. The project aims to overcome key barriers in the design, synthesis, and testing of new drug candidates by streamlining the process through rapid parallel synthesis and direct-to-biology testing. You will work on solution-phase chemistry combined with solid-phase reaction clean-up using tethered reagents, enabling the production of pure compounds ready for biological screening without further purification. This approach allows for the parallel synthesis and testing of approximately 100 compounds in a single operation, potentially reducing the time required to less than a week for each cycle.

The research will apply these methods to the optimization of drug candidates targeting selected cancer pathways, demonstrating the practical impact of high-throughput approaches in medicinal chemistry. The project is supported by EPSRC and Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals, ensuring robust funding and industry relevance. You will join a dynamic research environment at Newcastle University, collaborating with leading academics and industry partners.

Supervision and Support
Supervisors for this studentship are Professor Mike Waring and Dr. Hannah Stewart, who bring extensive expertise in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. You will benefit from their guidance and the resources of Newcastle University’s chemistry department.

Funding and Duration
The studentship provides a stipend of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate), full coverage of tuition fees, and additional project costs. The award duration is four years, starting on 1st October 2026.

Eligibility
Applicants should hold at least a 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. The admissions process values prior experience, enthusiasm for research, and independent working ability. Excellent analytical and communication skills are essential. A Masters qualification is not required if you meet the minimum degree or can demonstrate equivalent experience. International applicants must meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in all sub-skills) and may require ATAS clearance for visa purposes.

Application Process
To apply, register and create a postgraduate application via the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal. Search for 'PhD Chemistry (full time) - Chemistry' using programme code 8100F. Upload a completed personal statement using the provided template and enter studentship code DLA2629. Select 'Write Proposal' and type the project title; no separate research proposal is needed. Only one application per studentship is permitted.

Contact
For further details, contact Professor Mike Waring at [email protected]. For independent advice, email [email protected].

This opportunity is ideal for candidates passionate about medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and innovative research methods, offering excellent funding and the chance to contribute to impactful cancer research.