Design and synthesis of novel enzyme substrates for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms (Ref: RDFC26/SE/GNS/TURNBULL)

About the Project

Background

This project builds upon a 30-year collaboration between Northumbria University, the Freeman Hospital (Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust), and bioMérieux – a multinational biotechnology company. Within hospital and industry settings, the rapid detection and differentiation of microorganisms that cause disease is of vital importance. Many techniques involve the use of artificial enzyme substrates which either change colour or become fluorescent in the presence of a particular organism, and in this project, you will design and make novel substrates for inclusion in future products.

The Project

As part of a multi-disciplinary team involving chemists and microbiologists, you will design, synthesise, and evaluate new chromogenic and/or fluorogenic substrates to detect emerging pathogenic microorganisms. This should appeal to graduates who are interested in synthetic organic chemistry with a clinically relevant application, and a willingness to learn more about microbiology.

Your Role

With support of your supervisors, your day-to-day activities will include:

• Planning multi-step synthetic routes to novel substrates.
• Carrying out these syntheses in our organic chemistry laboratories.
• Evaluating substrates in the microbiology labs contributing to the project.
• Send samples for further evaluation to bioMérieux
• Documenting your work for presentation to the commercial partner, bioMérieux, and in support of publication.
• Joining in with the graduate student culture within the School of Geography and Natural Sciences.

Candidates

This studentship is open to applications from all science graduates with a background (either taught or project based) in synthetic organic chemistry, and a willingness to learn some microbiological techniques. You will be joining a diverse and growing research team, that include Dr Graeme Turnbull (PI) and Dr David Tétard (Co-I) who both have extensive expertise in the topic and other topics dealing with biologically active organic compounds. You will be encouraged to join the team in developing outreach materials with which to engage the public in your research, demonstrating how the technology can be of use in our everyday lives.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
• Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.

Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship.

• Immigration Health Surcharge
• If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application, otherwise your visa may be refused.
• Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be paid by the University.
• International applicants (including EU) need to have their own valid immigration permissions to live and study in the UK if they wish to study on a part-time basis as Northumbria University does not sponsor part-time Student Visas.

For further details on how to apply see https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Deadline for applications: 16 June 2026

Start date of course: 1st October 2026

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community.

Academic Enquiries

This project is supervised by Dr Graeme Turnbull. For informal queries, please contact g.turnbull@northumbria.ac.uk. For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions.

Funding Notes

The Full Time studentship is available to Home students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2026/27 full-time study this is £21,805 per year) and full tuition fees.

References

Burton, M; Turnbull, G; et al. Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2026, 135, 130573.
Cellier-Rastit, M; Turnbull, G; et al. J Mat Chem B, 2023, 11, 6106.