Industry-focused PhD programs have been introduced at the University of Strathclyde. A number of PhD studentships will be available starting from October 2026, each lasting 3.5 years, in the fields of Biopharmaceuticals and Synthetic & Medicinal Chemistry.
Successful candidates will be located at the GSK site in Stevenage (R&D) and will have the chance to spend a minimum of three months during their studentship at the University of Strathclyde.
Students will be enrolled as postgraduate students at the University of Strathclyde and will receive co-supervision from both academics and senior chemists and/or biologists affiliated with GSK.
Research areas
Biopharmaceuticals
- Antibody selections – focused on identification of antibodies through different platform and optimisation methods.
- Antibody protein science – focused on expression and characterisation of therapeutic protein material.
- Antibody pharmacology – focused on characterisation of antibodies viatarget and ligand methods and functional assays.
- Molecular design and engineering of antibodies to assess and determine antibody developability.
- Structural and biophysical sciences – focused on unravelling the molecular mode of action using biophysical, mass spectrometry, and structural biology techniques.
Synthetic & Medicinal Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry – focused on organic chemistry as applied to the design and development of modern drug modalities, including studies at the interface of organic synthesis and bioconjugation, and the expansion of contemporary synthesis approaches of importance within medicinal chemistry programmes.
- Chemical Biology – focused on novel approaches for the discovery of next-generation therapeutics, including organic synthesis, high-throughput chemistry, screening of reactive fragments, cell-based assays, and data analysis.
- Advancing structural, biophysical, data analysis, and modelling approaches (e.g. using high resolution mass spectrometry, cryo-EM, and NMR) as aligned with modern drug modalities.
Candidate requirements
For these outstanding training and development opportunities, you will need or will be in line to obtain:
Biopharmaceuticals
- A very good MSci or BSc degree in biological sciences such as Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science.
- Excellent theoretical and practical skills, together with a dedicated and conscientious attitude, and the ability to provide creative and innovative solutions to complex problems.
- To be highly motivated for biology and broader areas of science.
- Strong communication skills.
Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry
- A very good MSci or MChem degree, or equivalent, in chemistry.
- Excellent theoretical and practical skills, together with a dedicated and conscientious attitude, and the ability to provide creative and innovative solutions to complex problems.
- To be highly motivated for chemistry and broader areas of science.
- Strong communication skills.
You must also have the right to study and work in the UK without the need for a visa.
How to apply?
Candidates, including current Final Year undergraduate students, should send a covering letter, highlighting specific area(s) of interest, and a CV, along with detailed subject examination grades, and the names and contact information for two referees to: laura.c.paterson@strath.ac.uk.
Closing Dates:
Biopharmaceuticals – 4pm, Wednesday 22nd October, 2025
Synthetic & Medicinal Chemistry – 4pm, Wednesday 7th January, 2026
Source: University of Strathclyde
