PhD Studentship: High-throughput Nanoscale Crystallisation of Linear and Macrocyclic Peptides

Award Summary

100% Home fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate). Research funds of approximately £6,000 per annum.

Overview

4 year Chemistry PhD in chemical crystallography for pharmaceutically relevant molecules, on high-throughput crystallisation and single crystal X-ray crystallography (SCXRD) of linear and macrocyclic peptides.

Many modern drug molecules are complex linear and cyclic synthetic polypeptides. Crystallisation of such molecules presents a very challenging problem, however success in such an endeavour is key for both structural elucidation by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (SCXRD) and for cost effective purification. This project will develop new high-throughput Encapsulated Nanodroplet Crystallisation (ENaCt) methods, based on previous work in the group (Chem 2020, 6, p1755; JACS 2023, 145, p23352; ChemSocRev 2023, p1995), for the crystallisation and analysis of medically relevant complex polypeptides.

Training and experience will be provided in both modern crystallisation methods and SCXRD of complex small molecules, including the use of robotics for high-throughput experimentation.

The Newcastle University supervisory team consists of Dr Michael Hall and Prof Mike Probert, and you will work alongside members of their group, and UK National Crystallography staff. The Newcastle research group is an internationally leading laboratory for small molecule crystallography and SCXRD, with cutting edge modern equipment and resources.

This PhD is offered in collaboration with MSD, and includes a potential industrial placement opportunity in New Jersey, USA, as part of the project.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

Oct 2025

Award Duration

4 Years

Application Closing Date

22nd April 2025

Sponsor

MSD

Supervisors

Dr Michael Hall, Prof Michael Probert

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (Chemistry, Biochemistry).

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

The studentship covers fees at the Home rate (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). International applicants are welcome to apply but will be required to cover the difference between Home and International fees.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme. 

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal 

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.  

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:  

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8100F
• Research Area: Chemistry
• Select ‘PhD Chemistry (full time)’ as the programme of study 

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:  

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form  
• The studentship code SNES300 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  
• When prompted regarding your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal. 

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload:

• Your CV 

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact Details

Michael.hall@newcastle.ac.uk; michael.probert@newcastle.ac.uk; snes.pgr.support@newcastle.ac.uk

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