PhD Studentship: Supramolecular Nanoconstructs for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging and Radioguided Surgery

About this project

Applications are invited for a PhD project in radiopharmaceutical development and preclinical medical imaging.  Based in the Hull York Medical School, the successful applicant will focus on the development of novel positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals. Biological targeting groups will be combined with motifs (chelators and prosthetic groups) to form bio conjugates for facile radiolabelling as new supramolecular PET imaging agents. Multivalent galectin binding agents will be investigated using a range of techniques including immunohistochemistry and surface plasmon resonance. Radiolabelling studies to produce novel radiopharmaceuticals will be carried out in the dedicated radiotracer development facilities offering unique opportunities to develop skills in radiopharmaceutical validation. In vivo imaging and interaction with clinical colleagues will be used to select lead candidates for translation and potential application in radio-guided surgery.   

For informal inquiries, please contact  

Professor Steve Archibald, Email: steve.archibald@hyms.ac.uk

About the research cluster / about the research environment

The scholarship will support a major research project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), in collaboration with Imperial College London and King’s College London and industrial partners.  The successful applicant will form an integral part of the project team, driving this exciting multidisciplinary and impactful research forward alongside colleagues from the Chemistry Department and the PET Research Centre (part of the Hull Molecular Imaging Centres development (HuMIC) at UoH).  They will be able to present their work on academic platforms, co-author papers, and work closely with our project industry partners.  They will also benefit from close collaboration with the UoH-Medical Research Council CiC interdisciplinary mini-PhD cluster “Immune cell markers in chronic disease” and the ”Hull University Theragnostics” PhD cluster.

Funding

• The successful applicants will receive a fee waiver and a maintenance grant / stipend for three years (full-time) or five years (part-time), which covers the research period of the PhD. The fee waiver for 22/23 is £4596 (Home fee) and the maintenance grant is £17668 per annum. This rises each year in line with the UKRI’s recommended stipend allowance.

• If you need to move into a fourth year (full time) or sixth year (part-time) to complete your thesis, please note that you will not receive a tuition fee waiver or maintenance grant during this period and you will be required to pay a continuation fee.

Submission of thesis

Submission of your final thesis is expected within three years and three months from the start of your PhD scholarship for full time and within six years and six months if studying part-time.

Eligibility and entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum 2.1 class of degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences or a closely related subject.  A taught MSc or Masters by Research (MRes) in a relevant subject would be an advantage.

International applicants

This opportunity comes with a Home fee waiver only, which will not cover the full International fee. You will therefore need to pay the difference between the Home fee and the International fee and will need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover this.

How to apply   Applications are via Hull York Medical School webpage.  

Closing date for applications

10^th February 2023

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