Studying ligand Interactions of cardiovascular proteins to support drug discovery

Cardiovascular and metabolic disease is the major cause of mortality and morbidity, and development of new therapies is urgently required. In addition, assessing potential cardiovascular safety issues is an essential part of the development of treatments for other conditions.<br /> <br /> Drug discovery programmes critically depend on high-quality assays to assess and quantify interactions between drug candidates and their targets/off-targets. As a result, protein families for which such assays are not available can be overlooked in drug discovery and safety screening of drug candidates.<br /> <br /> Native mass spectrometry (nMS) provides unique opportunities to study challenging protein systems – including (membrane) protein complexes and proteins that exist as multiple proteoforms – and their interactions with drug-like small molecules.<br /> <br /> In this project, you will use nMS to study ligand interactions of emerging drug targets. This work will provide new insight into the mechanism-of-action of bioactive compounds as well as new assays for the development, selection and safety screening of drug candidates.<br /> <br /> You will join a large supportive team that offers full training in all aspects of the project and includes postdoctoral researchers and PhD students working on closely related projects. You will benefit from input from a team of supervisors with complementary expertise and a strong track record of joint PhD supervision.

<p>Information about the Award<br /> o    We are offering 1 full-time/ part-time PHD scholarship in the School of Medicine for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant of £20,780 and UK tuition fees for 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory progress. <br /> Duration of the Award<br /> o    Full-time (3.5 years). The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.<br /> Other Conditions<br /> o    Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.<br /> o    Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2025.<br /> o    Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application. </p> <p>o    a full academic CV<br /> o    degree certificate and transcripts of marks<br /> o    Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</p> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <p>o    Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study<br /> o    Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert<br /> o    For source of funding please state you are applying for (Studying ligand Interactions of cardiovascular proteins to support drug discovery)</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Within the we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+; and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</p> <p>Entry requirements  </p> <p>Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Medicine should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Admissions Team prior to making an application.</p>

A degree in biological sciences, dentistry, medicine, midwifery, nursing, psychology or a good honours degree in a subject relevant to the research topic. A Masters degree in a relevant subject may also be required in some areas of the Faculty. For entry requirements for all other research degrees we offer, please contact us.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The Faculty of Medicine and Health minimum requirements in IELTS and TOEFL tests for PhD, MSc, MPhil, MD are: • British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0 • TOEFL iBT - overall score of 92 with the listening and reading element no less than 21, writing element no less than 22 and the speaking element no less than 23.

<p>One full scholarship is available in the School of Medicine in 2025/26. The School of Medicine invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2025/26. The award is open to full-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree at the School of Medicine. <br />  <br /> This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research relating to the biochemistry and biophysics of ligand interactions of emerging cardiovascular drug targets. </p>

<p>For further information please contact the Faculty Admissions Team.</p> <p>fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</p>