AZ funded non-clinical PhD studentship

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Cambridge is inviting applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD studentship in Pharmacology. The successful candidate will research human pluripotent stem cell culture and computational analysis in collaboration with AstraZeneca. The position covers fees, a tax-free stipend of £21,500/year, and supports career development. Candidates should have a strong background in cellular and developmental biology and be eager to learn and grow as researchers.

Benefits

Tax-free stipend

Support for career development

Dedicated consumables and travel budgets

Qualifications

• You should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, and curious.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
• Ideally have prior relevant research experience.

Responsibilities

• Work to generate hypothalamic neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells.
• Receive advanced on-the-job training in cutting-edge methods.
• Develop cellular models to facilitate scientific discovery.

Skills

Critical thinking

Strong theoretical background in cellular and developmental biology

Enthusiasm and curiosity

Education

First or upper second-class degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Project Title: Robust hypothalamic cellular models of neurometabolic disease

We invite highly motivated students to apply for a fully funded 4-year PhD studentship jointly supervised by Dr. Florian Merkle (University of Cambridge, Pharmacology) and Dr. Bilada Bilican and Dr. Alice Adriaenssens (AstraZeneca, Gothenburg and Cambridge). The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work across both sites.

In this position, you will receive advanced on-the-job training in cutting-edge methods involving human pluripotent stem cell culture, computational analysis, genome engineering techniques, and functional analysis.

Project details: Obesity is a major global health issue with a strong genetic component that largely acts via neurons that regulate appetite, including POMC and AGRP neurons of the hypothalamus. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into hypothalamic neurons that closely resemble their counterparts in the brain. In this project, you will work to generate hypothalamic neurons more quickly, efficiently, and reproducibly by introducing candidate transcription factors (TFs) involved in cell type specification and maturation.

This project will produce insights into the biology of human neuron specification, develop deeply characterized cellular models to facilitate discovery science, and benefit from AstraZeneca-supported facilities such as the FGSL to reveal new therapeutic targets.

Funding: This four-year studentship fully covers University composite fees (at home fees rate only), a tax-free stipend (£21,500/year), and dedicated consumables and travel budgets to support your experimental work and career development.

Eligibility

You should have or expect to obtain a first or upper second-class degree in a relevant subject from a UK university, or equivalent standard abroad. This position is open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet UK residency requirements, as well as overseas students who are able to augment the funds to cover the extra costs associated with international student fees through scholarships or other funding schemes (self-funding is not permitted).

Candidate Characteristics

You should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, curious, able to think critically, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively. You should have a strong theoretical background in cellular and developmental biology and ideally also have prior relevant research experience, but most importantly you should be excited to learn new skills and grow as an independent researcher.

Key Dates

• 31st October 2025, application deadline
• Mid-November, interviews
• Early December, outcomes announced
• October 2026, start of PhD studentship

Application Process

Apply for a PhD in Pharmacology via the University's Applicant Portal using course code BLPH22. Quote the project title and supervisor from this advert, select Michaelmas Term 2026 (October 2026), and copy the project details from this advert when prompted for a proposal. Your application should include:

1. Statement of Interest detailing your suitability and motivation for pursuing a PhD in this area (maximum 1000 words)
2. CV (maximum two pages)
3. full academic transcripts
4. 2-3 academic references submitted by 31st October 2025

Please quote reference PL47443 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.