PhD Studentship - New Photocatalytic Enzymes for the Sustainable Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals (Industry sponsored)

Research theme: Biocatalysis

This 3.5-year project is fully funded with an annual tax-free stipend consistent with UKRI rates (£20,780 for 2025/26). We expect the stipend to increase each year. Funding is for home students, but overseas students may be eligible in exceptional circumstances. The start date is January 2026. There is one funded position available.

A fully funded PhD studentship is available for an outstanding and ambitious chemist to undertake research in the field of biotechnology and synthetic chemistry in a collaborative project. The studentship is funded through The Centre of Excellence for Biocatalysis, Biotransformations and Biocatalytic Manufacture (CoEBio3), which brings together world-leading industrial and academic partners including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Sharpe and Dohme, Prozomix and the Universities of Manchester, Bristol and York. The successful candidate will be based in the laboratories of Dr Jack Rowbotham and Dr Aaron Trowbridge in the Department of Chemistry and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Manchester.

This project will explore the integration of new photocatalytic techniques with cutting-edge biocatalysis to generate light activated enzymes for selective chemical transformations. The first part of the project will involve preparing and characterising a set of photoresponsive proteins. These proteins will then be screened for a range of reactivity, and particularly C-C bond formation. Directed evolution approaches will then be applied to guide the selectivity of the new enzymes towards target molecules and drug fragments. Ultimately, the studentship aims to demonstrate the efficacy of the new enzymes for preparative scale synthesis. The project combines the expertise of two groups: Rowbotham (biocatalysis) and Trowbridge (photocatalysis) and will give the candidate experience in a wide range of skills relevant to sustainable chemistry and biomanufacturing at the interface of academia and industry.

Students with a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry are particularly encouraged to apply. Any experience in biochemistry will be beneficial, however full training will be provided for the necessary molecular biology and biocatalysis skills. The project will especially suit candidates who wish to apply an interdisciplinary research outlook to improve the sustainability of future pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturing.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Jack Rowbotham (jack.rowbotham@manchester.ac.uk) or Aaron Trowbridge (aaron.trowbridge@manchester.ac.uk) for informal enquiries prior to submitting a full application.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

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