PhD Studentship: New Strategies for the Modular Design of Theragnostic Radiopharmaceuticals

About this project

Applications are invited for an exciting 3-year fully funded PhD studentship to commence in September 2023.

This PhD project strives to develop a new approach for the modular design and assembly of theragnostic radiopharmaceuticals. The clinical value of theragnostics for the diagnosis and treatment of disease has been evidenced by prominent phase 3 clinical trials. It is recognised that desirable pharmacokinetic properties, which result in increased target uptake and retention, but reduce non-target accumulation, are vital to ensure maximum therapeutic efficacy and minimise side-effects. In this project, a new platform technology to facilitate convenient modular assembly of theragnostic radiopharmaceuticals will be developed and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. This approach will enable the rapid development of large libraries of radioconjugates, and accelerate the development of novel theragnostic agents for clinical translation.

For informal inquiries, please contact Dr Louis Allott (louis.allott@hull.ac.uk)

About the research cluster / about the research environment

Theragnostics is a rapidly developing area of nuclear medicine which combines diagnosis and therapy into a single unified strategy for the treatment of disease. We are already implementing approved theragnostics into the clinic at Castle Hill Hospital, for the benefit of cancer patients in the surrounding area. Complementary to this is our ambition to expand our own research capacity around novel theragnostic radiopharmaceuticals and their application to disease. In 2022, we established the Hull University Theragnostics (HUT) PhD cluster. The cluster unites two successful research groups in molecular imaging and wound research, to collaborate and explore new ground in theragnostic radiopharmaceutical development with applications in cancer and wounds.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Dr Louis Allott; 2^nd supervisors: Dr Azeem Saleem, Prof Carl Redshaw

Funding

• The successful applicant 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 five years and six months if studying part-time.

Eligibility and entry requirements

We welcome applicants with a 1^st or 2:1 undergraduate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related discipline. A master’s degree in these subjects or a more specifically relevant discipline (e.g. molecular imaging or radiopharmaceuticals) would be advantageous.

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 the University of Hull webpage  

Closing date for applications

10 February 2022

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