Anti Austerity Drug Discovery for Pancreatic Cancer Targeting Tumour Metabolic Resilience

About the Project

About the Project

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers, with survival rates of less than 7% and limited effective therapies. PDAC tumours grow in environments with very low oxygen and nutrients, forcing them to undergo profound metabolic adaptations that make them highly resilient and treatment‑resistant.

This PhD project aims to exploit this vulnerability by developing a new class of anti‑austerity compounds drugs that selectively kill pancreatic cancer cells under nutrient‑deprived conditions. Working from an existing library of promising Grandifloracin analogues, the project integrates medicinal chemistry, cancer cell biology, metabolic profiling, and 3D tumour‑model systems.

The student will join a vibrant interdisciplinary team with the opportunity for collaborative training with Professor Ben Buckley (Loughborough University)- expert in enantioselective synthesis and Professor Claus Jørgensen (CRUK Manchester Institute)-expert in tumour microenvironment and 3D cancer models.

Duration: 3 years, Full-Time Study.

Training and Development

The successful applicant will:

• Identify metabolic vulnerabilities that enable PDAC cells to survive nutrient deprivation.
• Screen and profile Grandifloracin analogues across multiple PDAC cell lines.
• Elucidate metabolic and signalling pathways disrupted by anti‑austerity activity.
• Optimise lead compounds using structure‑activity relationships (SAR).
• Validate optimised compounds in 3D PDAC spheroids and hypoxic stress models.
• This work will generate high‑value translational candidates suitable for future preclinical development.

Training and Development

The successful candidate will gain comprehensive training in:

• Synthetic and medicinal chemistry
• Cancer cell culture (2D and 3D)
• Metabolic profiling and LC‑MS
• Tumour microenvironment modelling
• Data analysis, imaging, and translational research

Person Specification of Essential (E) or Desirable (D) requirements:

Education and Training:

Applicants should have:

• A 2:1 or first‑class BSc degree (or MSc) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology or a related field. E
• For those whose first language is not English and/or if from a country where English is not the majority spoken language (as recognised by the UKBA), a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 6.5 (in all elements of the test) or an equivalent UK VISA and Immigration secure English Language Test is required, if your programme falls within the faculty of Engineering and Science a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in all elements of the test or an equivalent UK VISA and Immigration secure English Language Test is required. Unless the degree above was taught in English and obtained in a majority English speaking country, e.g. UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, etc, as recognised by the UKBA. E

Experience & Skills:

• Previous experience of undertaking research (e.g. undergraduate or taught master’s dissertation).E
• Ability to analyse experimental data and interpret scientific results. D
• Laboratory experience in either synthetic chemistry or cell/molecular biology. E
• A strong interest in drug discovery and cancer therapeutics. D
• Good analytical, organisational, and communication skills. E

Personal attributes:

• Understands the fundamental differences between a taught degree and a research degree in terms of approach and personal discipline/motivation E
• Able to, under guidance, complete independent work successfully E

Enthusiastic candidates from multidisciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Full training will be provided.

Funding Notes

This funding is available to UK and Irish Students, EU with settled status and any students who qualify for home fees.