Native mass spectrometry for the discovery of new anticancer agents

BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership, Researcher Academy

A 4-year fully funded BBSRC PhD CASE studentship is available at the University of Nottingham in collaboration with Erebagen Ltd to screen engineered bacterial natural product libraries for anti-cancer activity using native mass spectrometry. This exciting project is supervised by Prof Neil Oldham and Dr Luisa Ciano, from the School of Chemistry, and Dr Doug Roberts and Prof Greg Challis from Erebagen. It will provide training in biosynthetic engineering using state-of-the-art facilities as well as development of a mass spectrometry-based assay for detection of binding to the target protein, the human elongation factor eEF1A. This will be followed by structural characterisation of hit compounds, initially by coupled tandem mass spectrometry, and then complementary spectroscopic techniques. 

If you are a motivated and passionate individual with a background in chemistry, biochemistry, or related fields, and are eager to make a significant contribution to the fields of natural products and screening of bioactives we encourage you to apply. PhD candidates joining this project will benefit from state-of-the-art research facilities, expert supervision, and the opportunity to engage with industry partners to translate their research findings into real-world impact. 

BBSRC DTP students at the University of Nottingham benefit from a comprehensive training programme in research-related techniques to support their project and provide key transferable skills for a career in research. 

For informal enquiries, please contact //neil.oldham@nottingham.ac.uk.  

Keyword Search

Chemistry, Biochemistry

Award Start Date

October 2024

Duration of Award

4 years

Terms and Conditions

Home students are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Funding is available for four years from late September 2024. The award covers tuition fee (£4,786) at the home rate plus an annual stipend which will be (£19,237) for 2024. This is set by UKRI.

Applicant Qualification Requirements

To apply and check your eligibility, please click go to https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/bbdtp/apply/how-to-apply.aspx and you can find further information about how to apply to our programme.

How to apply

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Neil Oldham (neil.oldham@nottingham.ac.uk) or the Nottingham BBSRC DTP Team (BB-BBDTP@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk)

Apply online here by noon on Friday 3^rd May 2024