PhD Studentship: Improved 2A Peptides for Polyprotein Separation

About the role

A 4-year PhD studentship funded by AstraZeneca, starting on 1 October 2027, is offered in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge and the AstraZeneca Discovery Centre at Cambridge. The project is jointly supervised by Prof. Andrew Firth at Cambridge and Dr Giovanni Ciotta at AstraZeneca, with the student working across both sites. It focuses on manipulating peptide-bond skipping sequences to aid protein engineering, specifically improving 2A peptides used for co-translational separation of polyproteins.

Key responsibilities

• Investigate new classes of 2A sequences and optimise them for biotechnological applications.
• Work on molecular biology techniques; bioinformatics skills may be developed and structural biology experience may be obtained.
• At the AstraZeneca site, implement optimised sequences in applications such as cell therapy.

Required profile

• First or upper second-class degree from a UK university, or equivalent from an overseas university, in a relevant subject such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology or Genetics.
• Open to UK citizens or overseas students meeting UK residency requirements, or those who can fund the fee difference through scholarships or funding schemes.
• Highly motivated, able to think and work independently; language requirements for admission must be met by the time of interview.

What we offer

• Full funding covering maintenance fees (expected around 23,805 GBP per year) and the University Composition Fee.
• Access to training courses, workshops and seminars, including the University Core Skills Training Programme and the AstraZeneca students symposium.

Applications are made online through the University's postgraduate applicant portal, quoting reference PK51583, and must include motivation, research interests and background, plus two academic references. Applications close on 30 November 2026.