PhD Studentship - Design, Synthesis and In Vitro Translation of Non-Canonical Amino Acids

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

This is 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded; student who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the Home rate are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2027.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD student to join a multidisciplinary project on non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs). The project covers their design, chemical synthesis and in vitro translation, with the aim of expanding the chemical functionality of proteins. 1–5 It brings together organic synthesis, chemical biology and in vitro translation to explore and exploit the frontiers of the genetic code.

You will design and synthesise new ncAAs and incorporate them site-specifically into peptides and proteins using cell-free protein synthesis platforms. You will then study the modified proteins for their biophysical properties and reactivity, and for their potential in chemical biology, therapeutic development and biomaterials. One strand of the project will focus on glycosylated amino acids, a class of ncAA whose post-translational modifications tune protein structure and cell recognition but which remain difficult to install site-specifically. Collagen glycosylation is a case in point: glycosylated amino acid residues are introduced enzymatically and non-uniformly in the native protein, so homogeneous material with defined modification patterns is hard to obtain by any route other than synthesis. Targets of this kind give access to homogeneous peptides, allowing the structural and biological consequences of glycosylation to be probed directly — with relevance to extracellular matrix biology, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. You will be trained in organic and chemoenzymatic synthesis and in molecular biology, all directed towards developing in vitro translation of ncAAs. You will also build transferable skills, including presenting results orally and in writing, time management, and project planning and management. The project will be co-supervised by Prof. Gavin J. Miller and Dr Richard Obexer. Further information about the supervisory team is available at millerresearchgroup.co.uk and research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/richard-obexer.

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.

To apply please contact the main supervisor, Prof Gavin Miller - gavin.miller@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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