Neil Carragher

The University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, is offering a fully funded PhD position in Precision Medicine focused on the development of pH-sensitive Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for targeted drug delivery in pancreatic cancer. This interdisciplinary project is supervised by Dr Pei San (Sharel) E, Prof Neil Carragher, Prof Jennifer Morton, and Prof David Chang, bringing together expertise in chemical engineering, cancer biology, and drug discovery. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers, with a five-year survival rate below 5%. Current treatments are limited by non-specific toxicity and severe side effects. The project aims to address these challenges by developing smart nanocarriers—specifically, MOFs—that can encapsulate both KRASG12D inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents, releasing them in response to the acidic tumor microenvironment. This targeted approach is expected to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. Students will gain hands-on experience in advanced materials synthesis and characterization, including MOF synthesis, drug encapsulation, and pH-sensitive release studies. The project also involves preclinical work with pancreatic cancer cell lines and genetically engineered mouse models, providing comprehensive training in both in vitro and in vivo research. Collaboration across materials chemistry, cancer biology, and clinical oncology will foster interdisciplinary skills and team-based problem-solving. Applicants should have a strong background in materials science, chemistry, biomedical engineering, or a related field. Experience with drug delivery, cancer biology, or preclinical models is advantageous. The position is fully funded, covering tuition and a stipend, as part of the Precision Medicine Doctoral Training Programme. The application deadline is 12 January 2026, with a start date in September 2026. To apply, candidates must submit an application via the EUCLID system, including the Precision Medicine Recruitment Form and a CV. Q&A sessions with the supervisors will be held in early December for prospective applicants. For more information and application details, visit the provided links.