Fixed-term

 Prof Klaus Pors,  Dr Vibhu Jha,  Dr Muhammad Wahajuddin Application Deadline: Applications accepted all year round Details Diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) is a modern chemical methodology, which aims to synthesise small molecules that cover new chemical space with the possibility of finding unexplored biological targets or pathways that may be important for disease progression. The development of novel chemical entities (NCEs) is very important to the field of chemical genetics where chemical probes are used to probe known or unknown biological targets. This project will use DOS to enable the preparation of libraries of NCEs comprising heterocyclic pharmacophores, which will be used to probe the functional activity of enzyme targets. DOS will also be used to discover novel tool compounds including fluorescent molecules to probe regulation and functional activity of (i) aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoforms highly expressed in cancer stem cells, (ii) cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms expressed in solid tumours or (iii) aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) in prostate cancer. Conventional approaches such as computational modelling and medicinal chemistry will be employed in parallel to the use of DOS in order to develop chemical probes for enzyme interrogation. We are looking for an enthusiastic student to develop effective chemical tool compounds that can be used for target interrogation in cell-free and cell-based assays. The student will be trained in the design of novel bioactive molecules including synthetic and computational studies as well as target interrogation in functional activity assays. Biological studies will include investigations comparing naked lead compounds with co-crystal versions to acquire knowledge essential for turning good chemical probes into potential drug candidates. Entry requirements  Applicants should have at least 2:1 honours degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmacy or related degree. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the type of course and ‘cancer therapeutics’ as the keyword. Please mention the project title in the Research Proposal section; applicants are not required to submit a research proposal for this project. Informal enquiries are also welcome. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level.  These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee may also apply to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. Apply Now

Prof Klaus Pors,  Dr Sneha Swaroop,  Dr Amalia Ruiz Estrada Application Deadline: Applications accepted all year round Details Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) catalyse the oxidation and detoxification of reactive endogenous and exogenous aldehydes into carboxylic acids via NAD+ coupled reduction. ALDH1 has been widely studied and is considered a marker of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and has been shown to be predictive of poor clinical outcome. Increased expression of cytosolic ALDH has been implicated as a mechanism whereby tumour cells may escape the lethality of cytotoxic anticancer alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide and related congeners. An improved understanding of the role ALDHs play within the tumour microenvironment and stem cell niche is crucial for unravelling their potential for biomarker and drug discovery strategies. We are looking for an enthusiastic student who is interested in establishing opportunities for how ALDH regulation or function can be exploited for drug discovery. In particular, the high ALDH expression that is a feature of many cancer types and CSC populations might contribute to enhanced DNA repair and this project seek to investigate how such knowledge can be harnessed in drug design. The student will be trained in 2D and 3D cell culture with a particular focus on ALDH-expressing sub-populations with stem cell properties, target interrogation (e.g. PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry) including ALDH-chemical probe binding and effects on DNA damage response. The latter aspects will include the use of LCMS to study potential metabolic events caused as a consequence of functional ALDH activity. For students with a particular interest in chemical biology, there is also an opportunity to be trained in drug design. Entry requirements  Applicants should have at least 2:1 honours degree in Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Biology, Pharmacy or related degree. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the type of course and use the keywords ‘cancer therapeutics’. Please include the title of the project on the ‘Research Proposal’ section; applicants are not required to write their own research proposal for this project. Informal enquiries are also welcome. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee may also apply to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. Apply Now

 Dr Afeesh Rajan Unnithan,  Dr Sreekanth Pentlavalli,  Dr Arathyram Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala Application Deadline: Applications accepted all year round Details Chronic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers, affect millions of patients worldwide and remain one of the most difficult clinical challenges in healthcare. Current wound dressings mainly protect the wound but do little to actively stimulate tissue repair. This PhD project will develop next-generation smart hydrogels capable of generating therapeutic electrical signals from natural body movement. By integrating piezoelectric nanomaterials into soft hydrogel systems, the project aims to create self-powered wound dressings that convert mechanical energy (such as pressure or movement) into electrical cues that stimulate tissue regeneration. These innovative biomaterials could help enhance cell migration, improve blood vessel formation, and accelerate healing in chronic wounds without requiring external power sources or devices. The successful candidate will work at the interface of biomaterials science, nanotechnology, and regenerative medicine, gaining hands-on experience in hydrogel engineering, nanomaterial synthesis, materials characterisation, and cell biology. This interdisciplinary project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of smart biomaterials that actively interact with the body to promote healing. The outcomes of this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for chronic wound care and other regenerative medicine applications. The PhD student will join a collaborative research environment focused on advanced biomaterials and biomedical innovation, with opportunities to develop strong research skills and contribute to high-impact scientific publications. How to apply Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site; applicants will need to register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the type of course and then use the keyword ‘pharmacy’. Applicants should then specify the project title in the ‘Research Proposal’ section. About the University of Bradford Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities. Positive Action Statement At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level.  These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies. Funding Notes This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee applies, in addition to tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. References 1. Afeesh Rajan Unnithan, Vignesh Krishnamoorthi Kaliannagounder, Nagamalleswara Rao Alluri, Chan Hee Park, Pandiyarasan Veluswamy, Arathyram Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala, Design and Application of Piezoelectric Conductive Smart Scaffold for Non-invasive Neural Tissue Regeneration via Custom-made In vitro Mechano-Stimulator, Advanced NanoBiomed Research., 5: 2500058, 2025).2. Arathyram Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala, Vignesh Krishnamoorthi Kaliannagounder, Nagamalleswara Rao Alluri, Sang-Jae Kim, Bishnu Kumar Shrestha, Hanene Ali-Boucetta, Chan Hee Park, Afeesh Rajan Unnithan, Remotely Actuated Self-Powered Multifunctional Piezomagnetic Nanoparticles: Proof of Concept Study for the Post-Surgical Osteosarcoma Theranogeneration, Nano Energy, 96, 107134, 2022, Senior author)3. Sharifiaghdam, M.; Shaabani, E.; Faridi-Majidi, R.; De Smedt, S. C.; Braeckmans, K.; Fraire, J. C., Macrophages as a therapeutic target to promote diabetic wound healing. Mol Ther 2022, 30 (9), 2891-2908.4. Mackenzie, P. Diabetes Footcare Project 1: Pathway Development; NHS UK, 2017.5. Kerr, M.; Barron, E.; Chadwick, P.; Evans, T.; Kong, W. M.; Rayman, G.; Sutton-Smith, M.; Todd, G.; Young, B.; Jeffcoate, W. J., The cost of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations to the National Health Service in England. Diabetic Med 2019, 36 (8), 995-1002.6. Xiong, Y.; Feng, Q.; Lu, L.; Zha, K. K.; Yu, T.; Lin, Z.; Hu, Y. Q.; Panayi, A. C.; Nosrati-Ziahmagi,V.; Chu, X. Y.; Chen, L.; Shahbazi, M. A.; Mi, B. B.; Liu, G. H., Immunomodulatory Hydrogels: Advanced Regenerative Tools for Diabetic Foot Ulcer. Adv Funct Mater 2023, 33 (10).7. Hao Wu, H. D., Zhen Tang, Yu Chen, Yichao Liu, Mo Wang, Xinghui Wei,; Ning Wang, S. B., Dongmei Yu, Zhigang Wu, Zhenda Yang, Xiaokang Li; Zheng Guo, L. S., Electrical stimulation of piezoelectric BaTiO3 coated Ti6Al4V scaffolds promotes anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages and bone repair via MAPK/JNK inhibition and OXPHOS activation. Biomaterials 2023, 293, 121990.8. Koel, G.; Houghton, P. E., Electrostimulation: Current Status, Strength of Evidence Guidelines, and Meta-Analysis. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2014, 3 (2), 118-126.9. Oliveira, K. M. C.; Barker, J. H.; Berezikov, E.; Pindur, L.; Kynigopoulos, S.; Eischen-Loges, M.; Han,Z.; Bhavsar, M. B.; Henrich, D.; Leppik, L., Electrical stimulation shifts healing/scarring towards regeneration in arat limb amputation model. Sci Rep-Uk 2019, 9.10. Chen, S.; Zhu, P.; Mao, L. J.; Wu, W. C.; Lin, H.; Xu, D. L.; Lu, X. Y.; Shi, J. L., PiezocatalyticMedicine: An Emerging Frontier using Piezoelectric Materials for Biomedical Applications. Adv Mater 2023, 35 (25).11. Dai, J. J.; Shao, J.; Zhang, Y.; Hang, R. Y.; Yao, X. H.; Bai, L.; Hang, R. Q., Piezoelectric dressings for advanced wound healing. J Mater Chem B 2024, 12 (8), 1973-1990. Apply Now

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Westminster is pleased to offer two fully funded PhD Studentships for outstanding prospective researchers beginning in September 2026. Our School hosts three internationally recognised research centres: the Centre for Resilience, the Centre for Nutraceuticals, and the Research Centre for Optimal Health, which together create a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment for cutting edge research. Our research excellence was strongly endorsed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), leading to a significant increase in Research England funding. To build on this success and strengthen our contribution to the next REF in 2029, we are offering two funded studentships and four self-funded PhD places. Based in central London, the School of Life Sciences offers a vibrant research culture supported by a well established doctoral training programme. We are committed to fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive community where all researchers can thrive. We provide a supportive and safe environment grounded in mutual respect, trust and professionalism. Funding and eligibility The studentships include: Home tuition fee waiver (£5,238 per year) Bench fees (£4,000 per year) Annual stipend of £23,805 for three years (including London weighting) Please note: These studentships can only fund candidates eligible for Home fee status. We welcome applications from candidates with exceptional research potential in any relevant Life Sciences discipline. Priority areas include: Mechanisms of disease Biomarkers of healthy ageing Infection and disease AI, imaging and health Exercise, resilience and nutrition Medicines development Quantum biology Stem cells Biomaterials and nanotechnology Read more about the School of Life Sciences. Impactful doctoral research projects We are seeking high-quality prospective doctoral students who will select one research project from the list below. We highly recommend discussing your proposal with the relevant Director of Studies before submission. SLS-1: Producing improved HIV-immunotherapies by integrating AI with plant molecular farming We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to develop next-generation HIV immunotherapies by combining artificial intelligence with plant molecular farming. HIV remains a major global health challenge, and current treatments are expensive and difficult to deliver in low-resource settings. This project will use AI approaches to predict novel broadly neutralising antibodies capable of targeting conserved regions of the HIV envelope, inspired by rare “elite controllers”. Candidate antibodies will be rapidly produced using low-cost plant expression systems and evaluated in vitro to determine whether their efficacy matches or exceeds existing therapies. The project offers interdisciplinary training across AI, molecular biology, plant biotechnology, and immunology, and is ideal for graduates with interests in computational biology, bioengineering, and global health research. Please contact Dr Cathy Moore to discuss: c.moore@westminster.ac.uk. SLS-2: Democratising Prenatal Screening: Evaluating finger prick Dried Blood Spots as a Simplified Alternative to Plasma-Based Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing for Common Aneuploidies We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to pioneer a simplified approach to non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for fetal chromosomal abnormalities. This innovative project investigates alternative sources of DNA, such as blood spot samples, that could potentially replace blood plasma for accurate detection of common trisomies (Down’s, Edwards’, and Patau syndromes), potentially revolutionising prenatal screening accessibility worldwide. You will develop and validate a novel NIPT assay using cutting-edge molecular techniques, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), cell-free DNA (cfDNA) extraction, and fetal fraction quantification. This combined wet-lab and dry-lab project offers hands-on experience with advanced genomic technologies while conducting a comprehensive cost-effectiveness analysis to assess the feasibility of implementing blood-spot screening in clinical settings. The research addresses a critical healthcare challenge: current plasma-based NIPT requires specialised equipment, trained phlebotomists, and cold-chain transport, limiting accessibility in resource-constrained settings. Your work could enable self-collection, reduce NHS costs, and democratize access to gold-standard prenatal screening globally. Requirements Undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or related biomedical sciences. Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail. Commitment to completing mandatory Human Tissue Act (HTA) training. Enthusiasm for collaborative research with clinical partners. Desirable skills Experience in omics technologies or bioinformatics data analysis. Knowledge of prenatal diagnostics or reproductive health. Statistical analysis experience. Note: Training in NGS, cfDNA analysis, and data interpretation will be provided during Year 1. This research directly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities) by developing accessible diagnostic tools that empower women to make informed reproductive decisions. By simplifying prenatal screening, you will help eliminate healthcare disparities and improve maternal-fetal outcomes in underserved communities. Join us in transforming women’s health through innovative biomedical research that bridges laboratory science and real-world clinical impact. This is your opportunity to develop expertise in advanced molecular diagnostics while addressing a critical global healthcare need. Please contact Dr Maria Neofytou to discuss: m.neofytou@westminster.ac.uk. The studentships will include comprehensive personal and professional development training and a mentoring programme from the University of Westminster Graduate School. The researchers will join a School committed to decolonising and diversifying policies, practices and cultures within and beyond Higher Education. Entry requirements and how to apply Candidates should have a minimum classification of 2.1 in their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and preferably a Master’s degree. Applicants whose secondary level education has not been conducted in the medium of English should also demonstrate evidence of appropriate English language proficiency normally defined as IELTS: 6.5 (overall score with not less than 6.0 in any of the individual elements). Read more about: Our entry requirements How to apply What should be in a PhD research proposal Our Graduate School and the support they provide To make an application: Visit the School of Life Sciences page to apply for the programme most appropriate to your research. Application deadline: Applications should be submitted by 5pm on Friday 15 May 2026. Interviews will take place in June. You must include the code and title of the studentship you are applying for in your application header, ie “SLS-1 Studentship”. For queries about any aspect of the application process or informal enquiries, contact our Doctoral Coordinator, Dr Polly Hayes at p.hayes@westminster.ac.uk. * Minimum full-time enrolment before submission is 33 months. Fee waivers and maintenance are in place for the three-year studentship. Following