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University of Cambridge

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AstraZeneca-Funded PhD Studentship in Improved 2A Peptides for Co-Translational Polyprotein Separation University of Cambridge in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Cell Biology

Funding

Full funding is provided from 1 October 2027, covering the University Composition Fee and maintenance funding expected to start at approximately £23,805 per year. International applicants must secure additional funding or scholarships to cover extra international student fee costs; self-funding to supplement fees is not allowed.

Deadline

Nov 30, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Cambridge

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Keywords

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Biology
Cryo-electron Microscopy
Protein Engineering
Cell Therapy
Bioinformatic

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About this position

The University of Cambridge Department of Pathology, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, is offering a four-year, fully funded PhD studentship beginning 1 October 2027. The project, based at the University of Cambridge and the AstraZeneca Discovery Centre in Cambridge, investigates improved 2A peptides for co-translational separation of polyproteins.

2A peptides enable ribosome skipping, allowing multiple proteins or pathway components to be expressed from a single promoter. The research will investigate newly identified 2A sequences and optimise them for biotechnology applications while addressing limitations such as ribosome drop-off, pausing, stalling, and incomplete separation. Applications may include engineered expression systems and cell therapy.

The project is jointly supervised by Professor Andrew Firth at the University of Cambridge and Dr Giovanni Ciotta at AstraZeneca. Training will focus on molecular biology, with opportunities to develop bioinformatics and potentially structural biology expertise. Relevant methods and research areas include ribosome profiling, ribosome structure and function, cell biology, cryo-electron microscopy, CRISPR/Cas9, viral vectors, and protein engineering.

Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a first or upper second-class degree, or overseas equivalent, in biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, genetics, or a related subject. Cambridge entrance and language requirements must be met. UK and eligible home-fee applicants may apply; overseas applicants must secure additional funding for international fee costs.

The studentship provides full University Composition Fee coverage and maintenance funding expected to be approximately £23,805 annually. Applications through the Cambridge Applicant Portal for PhD in Pathology (BLPA22), including two references and required supporting documents, must be submitted by 30 November 2026.

Funding details

Full funding is provided from 1 October 2027, covering the University Composition Fee and maintenance funding expected to start at approximately £23,805 per year. International applicants must secure additional funding or scholarships to cover extra international student fee costs; self-funding to supplement fees is not allowed.

What's required

Applicants should have or shortly expect to obtain a first or upper second-class degree from a UK university, or an equivalent qualification from an overseas university, in a relevant subject such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, or Genetics. Applicants must meet the University of Cambridge and Department of Pathology entrance and language requirements by the time of interview. The studentship is open to UK citizens and overseas students who meet UK residency requirements for home fees or can obtain additional scholarship or funding to cover international fee costs; self-funding to supplement fees is not permitted. Applications must include all supporting documents, two academic references, motivation and research-interest statements, and the completed equal opportunities monitoring form.

How to apply

Apply online through the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal for a PhD in Pathology (BLPA22), quoting reference PK51527. Submit the application, supporting documents, two academic references, and the completed equal opportunities monitoring form by 30 November 2026. Email the completed monitoring form to [email protected].

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