PhD Studentship: Chemical Biology to Defend Crops – Disrupting Protein Interactions Pathogens Use to Invade Plants
[Fully funded 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD CASE studentship with Inspiralis Limited. Includes payment of tuition fees, a stipend of £20,780 (2025/6 rate), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per annum.] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia offers an exciting opportunity to address the global challenge of crop protection and food security. With the world population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, plant pathogens pose a significant threat to crop yields and sustainable agriculture. This project, supervised by Dr Andrew Beekman and Professor Wenbo Ma, aims to disrupt the protein-protein interactions that pathogens exploit to invade plant hosts. The successful candidate will design, synthesise, and test compounds—such as peptides and small molecules—that specifically block these essential interactions, thereby preventing disease in plants. The project leverages an innovative platform developed in the supervisor’s lab for computational design and synthesis, and will provide comprehensive training in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, protein biochemistry, cellular biology, and plant biology. The student will have access to state-of-the-art facilities across the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and The Sainsbury Laboratory, and will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment. The position is part of the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP), which offers a 4-year PhD CASE studentship in partnership with Inspiralis Limited. The studentship covers full tuition fees, a stipend of £20,780 per year (2025/6 rate), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) to enhance their professional development. Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, at least a UK 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a related field. English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each category) is required. The start date is 1 October 2026, and the application deadline is 2 December 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early February 2026. For further information on eligibility and application procedures, visit the NRPDTP website. Informal enquiries are welcomed by email to Dr Andrew Beekman or Professor Wenbo Ma.
