Job offer 14 PhD positions: ON-TRACT (OligoNucleotide Technologies for Rapid Advancement of Can[...]

University of Southampton; Southampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Southampton seeks enthusiastic early-stage researchers for doctoral positions focusing on groundbreaking biocatalysis and oligonucleotide therapy research. Applicants must hold a relevant Master's degree, have no previous doctoral qualifications, and possess strong proficiency in English. This is an exciting opportunity to engage in a prestigious three-year fellowship that offers competitive salary and benefits, international exposure through research visits, and advanced scientific training.

Benefits

Competitive salary including mobility and family allowances

Thorough scientific education

Participation in international courses and workshops

Opportunity for research visits to top labs in Europe

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a Master’s degree and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Proficiency in English is required, as well as good oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on biocatalysis and oligonucleotide therapies.
• Participate in training programs and workshops.
• Collaborate with international research teams.

Skills

Research Field: Biological sciences

Research Field: Medical sciences

Proficiency in English

Good communication skills

Education

Master Degree or equivalent

Job description

2. Send all required documents as a single PDF file to [e-mail]. 3. 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 revolutionize 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 localization, uptake, and pharmacokinetics of oligonucleotide therapeutics in lung tissue using in vivo, ex vivo, and advanced in vitro models. The project aims to optimize 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 lung 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 nebulization‑based formulations for inhaled oligonucleotide delivery, analyzing aerosol properties and deposition patterns. It integrates advanced in vitro lung models to study drug transport and optimize 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 optimized 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 optimization, transfection strategies, and efficacy testing in organoid models for lung and blood cancer applications. DC-14: Innovative dendrimer nanovectors for ON delivery; Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), France. This research develops amphiphilic dendrimer‑based nanosystems for safe and efficient nucleic acid delivery. It focuses on synthesizing modular dendrimers with tailored hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance and evaluating their performance in cellular and animal models.

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; each Panel will have at least two members from within ON‑TRACT (PIs) and, where required, staff from the potential host institution.
• The selected candidates will be interviewed online 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.

Eligibility Requirements

• Master Degree or equivalent
• Research Field: Biological sciences
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Research Field: Medical sciences
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Specific Requirements:
  • Doctoral candidates (DCs) must, at the time of recruitment, hold a Master’s degree and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree; they must be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme.
  • The Master’s degree must be in the discipline 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 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 must provide an English test (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English). Exemption may apply for nationals of majority native‑English speaking countries or for those with qualifications taught in English.
  • Early‑Stage Researchers must, at the time of recruitment, hold a Master’s degree and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree.
  • At the time of recruitment, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country where they are applying for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.
  • Languages: ENGLISH
• ON‑TRACT fellowships come with a number of benefits:

Benefits

• A thorough scientific education within a doctoral training programme.
• 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.