PhD Studentship: Chemical Biology to Defend Crops: Disrupting the Protein Interactions Pathogens Use to Invade Plants

Primary supervisor - Dr Andrew Beekman

With the human population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the looming challenge of feeding the rapidly growing population is threatened by plant pathogens, which cause significant losses in crop yield each year. Battling plant disease is essential for sustainable agriculture and global food security, and new avenues are required to address this challenge. Pathogens invade plant cells and hijack proteins that control protein synthesis, bending these processes to support pathogen growth.

This project aims to target the protein-protein interactions that pathogens use to invade plant hosts. The appointed student will design, synthesise, and test compounds which specifically prevent essential protein-protein interactions used by pathogens to cause disease in plant hosts. An innovative platform, developed in the supervisor’s lab, will be used to design peptides and small molecules that can disrupt the formation of protein complexes that facilitate disease. This interdisciplinary chemical biology and plant biology project will involve training in cutting-edge science including computational design and peptide/small molecule synthesis, as well as evaluation of the compounds for binding to proteins and their disease inhibitory activity in plants.

Led by Dr Andrew Beekman and Professor Wenbo Ma, there is an opportunity to learn medicinal chemistry/chemical biology, protein biochemistry, cellular biology, and plant biology, using facilities across the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology and The Sainsbury Laboratory. The student will be based in a highly collaborative research environment with a strong commitment to excellent in science and professional development.

This project will develop a multidisciplinary scientist with expertise from chemical to cell biology. You will have, or expect to obtain a first class, 2(i) or equivalent Honours degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a related area.

Informal enquiries are welcomed: Dr Andrew Beekman (a.beekman@uea.ac.uk) or Professor Wenbo Ma (Wenbo.Ma@tsl.ac.uk).

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 3,4 or 5 February 2026.

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/.

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Mode of study: Full time

Start date: 1 October 2026

Additional Funding Information

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD CASE studentship with Inspiralis Limited. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

Advert information