Eugen Stulz

[Fully funded studentship with UK tuition fees covered plus salary, consumables, and travel budget; funding noted as £40,000 to £50,000 per annum subject to bi-annual exchange-rate review.] A fully funded PhD studentship is available at the University of Southampton as part of the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network ON-TRACT (OligoNucleotide Technologies for Rapid Advancement of Cancer Therapies). The project is based in the School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering and focuses on the design and evaluation of novel oligonucleotide (ON) analogues and related model systems for medicinal applications. The research aims to develop ON systems that can target specific structures in oncogenic mRNAs, with the goal of avoiding global translation inhibition while testing therapeutic efficacy in organoid models. This is an interdisciplinary doctoral opportunity for an outstanding Doctoral Candidate. The role includes defining research questions, carrying out independent research, collaborating with ON-TRACT partners, participating in training, and disseminating results in high-impact research venues. The studentship offers the chance to work within a collaborative network and build a broad research skill set spanning synthetic chemistry, molecular targeting, and translational cancer-therapy research. Funding is fully provided through the ON-TRACT network coordinated by Southampton. The award covers UK tuition fees and includes a salary, consumables, and a travel budget. The advertised funding amount is £40,000 to £50,000 per annum, subject to bi-annual review due to exchange-rate changes. Eligibility highlights include a UK 2:1 honours degree or Masters (or international equivalent) in Chemistry, with a strong background in organic chemistry. Applicants must also meet Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network rules: they must not already hold a doctoral degree, must be eligible for PhD enrolment, and must satisfy the mobility requirement that they have not lived or carried out their main activity in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment. The successful candidate is expected to start by 1 January 2027. Applications should be submitted online with a CV and cover letter explaining how the candidate’s skills and experience match the post.