14 PhD positions: ON-TRACT (OligoNucleotide Technologies for Rapid Advancement of Cancer Therapies)

University of Southampton; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is offering exciting PhD opportunities focused on next-generation oligonucleotide technologies for cancer therapies. Candidates will participate in a pioneering research initiative, receiving interdisciplinary training and hands-on experience. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree and demonstrate proficiency in English. Applications are due by 28 Feb 2026.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Participation in international courses and workshops

Research visits to renowned labs

Qualifications

• Doctoral candidates must hold a Master’s degree and not yet be awarded a doctoral degree.
• Must be eligible to enroll in a PhD programme.
• Must not have resided or worked in the country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.

Responsibilities

• Participate in cutting-edge oligonucleotide technology research.
• Help develop next-generation oligonucleotide platforms and smart delivery systems.
• Engage in interdisciplinary training including academic, industry, and hospital placements.

Skills

Proficiency in English language

Good communication skills

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Southampton Department Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Organic chemistry Chemistry » Other Biological sciences » Other Medical sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 28 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101227456 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Join the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network ON-TRACT (OligoNucleotide Technologies for Rapid Advancement of Cancer Therapies) and become part of a pioneering European research initiative! We offer 14 exciting PhD opportunities (36-month contracts) focused on developing next-generation oligonucleotide platforms, smart delivery systems, and innovative therapeutic strategies for personalised medicine.

ON-TRACT will develop a Next Generation Oligonucleotide (ON) Platform Technology based on combining tailored ONs with smart delivery technology, and optimising ON therapies through testing in medicinal environments. The multipartner, multidisciplinary project ON-TRACT addresses urgent needs in healthcare. We apply cutting edge oligonucleotide technology to find innovative solutions for personalised medicine.

ON-TRACT brings together leading universities, hospitals, SMEs, and pharmaceutical industry across the UK, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, France, and Poland. As a doctoral candidate, you’ll receive world-class interdisciplinary training, including academic, industry, and hospital placements, plus courses in cutting‑edge science and transferable skills.

Explore the 14 projects and apply as indicated. Help us transform healthcare through advanced oligonucleotide technologies.

Application process:

Please refer to the project specific pdf documents further below for more information on the host institutions, projects, supervisors and secondments. There may also be additional eligibility criteria that need to be adhered to.

The project specific deadline is indicated in the pdf file.

• You will need to fill out the generic application form.
• The project documents may indicate further institution specific steps to be undertaken. Links related to this second step may not yet be active.

DC-1 : Exploring the use of biocatalysis in synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients; University of Cambridge, UK.

This project pioneers ultrahigh‑throughput enzyme evolution to create efficient biocatalysts for pharmaceutical synthesis. Combining advanced mutagenesis, nanopore sequencing, and machine learning, it delivers novel enzymes and deep insights into sequence‑function relationships.

DC-2 : Synthesis Methodology and New Oligonucleotide Constructs for Enhanced Delivery; Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

Focused on overcoming drug delivery challenges, this research develops innovative oligonucleotide bioconjugates with targeting ligands like peptides and antibodies. The goal is to boost therapeutic performance through cutting‑edge conjugation strategies and in vitro/in vivo evaluation.

DC-3 : Synthesis of building blocks for ON constructs, upscaling, and substrates for directed enzyme evolution; Research Institutes of Sweden, Sweden.

This project creates versatile oligonucleotide conjugates by integrating lipids, peptides, and proteins for advanced biomedical applications. It emphasizes novel linkers and click‑compatible entities to enable collaborative testing across the consortium.

DC-4 : Synthesis of building blocks for evolution of polymerases; University of Southampton, UK.

We aim to revolutionise PCR‑based technologies by designing dynamic combinatorial libraries for DNA templating. This approach will evolve new ligases and polymerases, opening pathways for innovative cancer‑targeted therapies.

DC-5 : Photochemical methods for the synthesis of conjugates; Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland.

This research develops light‑driven conjugation methods for precise and biocompatible synthesis of DNA and peptide conjugates. Using red‑light‑induced thiol–ene click reactions, it targets advanced drug delivery systems for B‑cells and lung tissue.

DC-6 : Synthesis of oligonucleotides and conjugates for targeted inhaled delivery to the lung; University of Southampton, UK.

This project develops antisense oligonucleotides and conjugates for targeted delivery to lung tissue, addressing diseases such as lung cancer, asthma, and COPD. It focuses on optimizing receptor‑specific conjugation, linker properties, and lung‑relevant deposition methods, validated using advanced organoid models.

DC-7 : Delivery of ONs for targeted inhaled administration with the focus on chronic lung diseases such as lung cancer, asthma and COPD; Uppsala Universitet, Sweden.

This research investigates the localisation, uptake, and pharmacokinetics of oligonucleotide therapeutics in lung tissue using in vivo , ex vivo , and in vitro models The project aims to optimise formulations and administration routes for improved exposure and efficacy in chronic lung diseases.

DC-8: Lung organoids as model for studying ONs delivery; University of Udine, Italy.

This project establishes organoids as a platform to study oligonucleotide uptake, trafficking, and gene‑regulatory activity. It evaluates diverse chemistries and delivery strategies, with a focus on targeting oncogenic mRNA structures for selective translational modulation.

DC-9: Gelating peptide-PNA hybrids for sustained ON delivery; Universiteit Gent, Belgium.

The project designs peptide‑PNA hybrids forming shear‑thinning hydrogels for controlled oligonucleotide release and cellular uptake. It combines synthesis, rheological characterization, and formulation studies to enable sustained delivery in lung organoid models.

DC-10: Aerosol technology for inhaled delivery in vitro using pulmonary cell models; Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), France.

This research explores nebulisation‑based formulations for inhaled oligonucleotide delivery, analysing aerosol properties and deposition patterns. It integrates advanced in vitro lung models to study drug transport and optimise pulmonary delivery systems for respiratory therapies.

DC-11 : Evaluation of targeted delivery strategies of oligonucleotide therapeutics to B cells; Uppsala Universitet, Sweden.

This project focuses on improving B‑cell targeting of oligonucleotide drugs using protein‑based carriers and enhancing endosomal escape. It employs Adaptable Drug Affinity Conjugate (ADAC) technology to enable high‑throughput screening of peptide‑ON and protein variants for optimal uptake and intracellular routing.

DC-12: Synthesis of oligonucleotide conjugates for targeted delivery to B-cells; Universiteit Gent, Belgium.

This research develops oligonucleotide conjugates with optimised linkers and protein‑based carriers for efficient B‑cell delivery. It includes synthesis of ASO/siRNA libraries, conjugation strategies, and formulation approaches to improve lymphatic uptake and pharmacokinetic properties.

DC-13 : Targeting the IRES structure of mRNA for modulating gene translation; University of Southampton, UK.

This project designs modified oligonucleotides to selectively target internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) of oncogenic mRNAs, avoiding global translation inhibition. It integrates ON chemistry optimisation, transfection strategies, and efficacy testing in organoid models for lung and blood cancer applications.

This research develops amphiphilic dendrimer-based nanosystems for safe and efficient nucleic acid delivery. It focuses on synthesising modular dendrimers with tailored hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance and evaluating their performance in cellular and animal models.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Biological sciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Medical sciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Please refer to the project description for specific skills and qualifications required; the above list is indicative of Master Degrees that may be acceptable.

Specific Requirements

• Doctoral candidates (DCs) must, at the time of recruitment, hold a Master’s degree and not yet been awarded a doctoral degree; you must be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme.
• The Master’s degree must be in the discipline that is indicated in the relevant DC project that you are applying for.
• At the time of recruitment, DCs must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in the country where they are applying for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to employment.
• Proficiency in the English language is required, as well as good communication skills, both oral and written. Successful candidates will need to provide an English test (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English). You may be exempt if you are a national of a majority native‑English speaking country, or have qualifications / degree that has been taught and assessed in English.

ON-TRACT fellowships come with a number of benefits:

• A thorough scientific education in the frame of a doctoral training program.
• The possibility to participate in specific international courses, workshops and conferences.
• A strong involvement in a European research project with high international visibility.
• The possibility to perform research visits to internationally renowned research labs in Europe.
• A prestigious three‑year MSCA Fellowship.
• A competitive salary including mobility and family allowances.

Eligibility criteria

• Early‑Stage Researchers must, at the time of recruitment, hold a Master’s degree and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree.
• The Master’s degree must be in the discipline that is indicated in the relevant DC project that you are applying for.
• At the time of recruitment researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in the country where they are applying for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.
• Proficiency in the English language is required, as well as good communication skills, both oral and written. Successful candidates will need to provide an English test (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English). You may be exempt if you are a national of a majority native‑English speaking country, or have qualifications / degree that has been taught and assessed in English.

Selection process

• All applications received by the deadline will be checked for eligibility against the general criteria set out above. If an application is deemed not eligible, the candidate will be informed as soon as possible.
• A Committee comprising ON-TRACT members will assign the candidates to Selection Committees (DN specific Panel) according to their choices; the Selection Committees will have at least two members from within ON-TRACT (PIs) and – where required – including staff from the potential host institution.
• The selected candidates will be interviewed on‑line by the Panel. Exact dates and times will be arranged within each Panel.
• The recruitment team will ensure a centralised, transparent and efficient recruitment process that adheres to the European Charter and Code for Researchers.
• The candidates will be informed of the interview outcome by email as soon as possible after the interview date. Successful candidates will have to send a formal e‑mail notifying acceptance or rejection.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 3 Company/Institute University of Southampton, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Country United Kingdom City Southampton Geofield