PhD Opportunity

This is a fully-funded 4 year PhD offering tuition fees at the UK (Home) rate of fee, and a stipend in line with the UKRI recommended national minimum doctoral stipend.

The application deadline is 31 March 2025.

The project description is as follows:

This PhD studentship project, led by Prof. Peter O’Connor at the University of Warwick, aims to develop new approaches for mass spectrometry analysis of cyclic and bicyclic peptides. These compounds are of great interest in pharmaceutical research due to their potent biological activities, increased chemical stability, and potential as drug candidates for challenging targets. The project addresses several analytical challenges associated with cyclic peptides, including fragmentation complexity, lack of distinct termini, multiple fragmentation pathways, and difficulties in distinguishing structural isomers and identifying post-translational modifications.

To tackle these challenges, the PhD student will employ advanced mass spectrometry techniques such as multiple fragmentation methods, high-resolution Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectrometry, two-dimensional mass spectrometry, trapped ion mobility spectrometry, and chemical labeling of cyclic and bicyclic peptides. The project offers numerous benefits for the PhD student, including cutting-edge research experience, interdisciplinary exposure, skill development in mass spectrometry and data analysis, collaboration opportunities, and industry relevance through experience with a spin-out company.

The student will have access to state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Warwick and benefit from Prof. O’Connor’s mentorship. The project’s diverse applications range from proteomics and metabolomics to environmental analysis and pharmaceutical research. International exposure through conferences and collaborations will further enhance the student’s experience.

Expected outcomes of this studentship include the training of a highly skilled Early Career Scientist, potential solutions for analyzing cyclic and bicyclic peptides, and a range of publications with significant scientific impact. This project not only addresses critical analytical challenges in cyclic peptide research but also provides a comprehensive training experience for the PhD student, preparing them for a successful career in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship in analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry.

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