About the Project
This project is one of several in competition for funding from the GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme (DLP), which is offering up to 17 studentships for entry in September 2027.
The partnership brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter to develop the next generation of biomedical researchers. Students will have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four research-intensive universities. More information may be found on the DLP's website.
Please note that the application process may close early to either home or international candidates (or both) before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received – check the DLP's website for details and updates.
Supervisory Team:
Dr Andrew Watts (University of Bath)
Prof Awen Gallimore (Cardiff University)
The Project:
Antibody therapies are among the most effective tools we have in the fight against cancer, yet in solid tumours they often underperform. Tumour cells can escape detection by displaying too few copies of their target molecule for a rigid antibody to grip, and antibodies designed to release a tumour's molecular brakes can inadvertently destroy the very immune cells needed to finish the job — because part of the antibody recruits other immune cells to attack anything it is bound to.
This project tests a core hypothesis: that re-engineering how an antibody's internal chains are held together — rather than editing its genetic sequence — can address both problems at once. Using novel chemical methods developed in our laboratory, we can reconnect an antibody's internal bridges in a non-natural pattern, making its targeting arms more flexible while quietening its ability to signal to other immune cells.
Key research question: can this chemically increased flexibility, combined with quietened immune signalling, be used to understand how tumours resist antibody-based immunotherapy — and to design next-generation antibodies that overcome that resistance without depleting the anti-tumour T cells we depend on?
You will synthesise and characterise the modified antibodies, test directly whether their added flexibility improves binding to sparse tumour targets, and work with Prof Awen Gallimore's group at Cardiff University to evaluate the antibodies in models that recreate a tumour's mixed population of cancer and immune cells. If early results support it, the strongest candidates will progress to evaluation in animal models of cancer.
The specific antibody and immune pathway you investigate are yours to decide, working alongside chemists at Bath and immunologists at Cardiff.
Training spans synthetic chemistry, structural biophysics and cellular immunology, with access to specialist facilities across the GW4 partnership, including Cardiff's Systems Immunity Research Institute.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated scientist with a passion to work across the chemistry–immunology divide.
Requirements:
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of medical sciences, computing, mathematics or the physical sciences. Applicants with a lower second-class degree will only be considered if they have a grade of Merit or above in a master's degree. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience.
Non-UK applicants will also be required to have met the English language entry requirements of the University of Bath.
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Watts: aw270@bath.ac.uk
Formal applications must be submitted direct to the GW4 BioMed3 DLP using their online application form.
A list of all the projects and details on how to apply are available DLP's website. You may apply for up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE AT 17:00 (GMT) ON 21 OCTOBER 2026.
IMPORTANT: You do NOT need to apply to the University of Bath at this stage – only those applicants who are successful in obtaining an offer of funding from the DTP will be required to submit an application for an offer of study from Bath.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
Funding Notes
Candidates may be considered for a 4-year GW4 BioMed3 MRC DLP studentship covering tuition fees, a stipend (£21,805 per annum for 2026/27, updated annually) and research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum dependent on project requirements.
Studentships are open to both Home and International students. International applicants should note that funding does NOT cover the cost of a student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK. In line with guidance from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the number of awards available to International candidates will be limited to 30% of the total.
References
- Alkhawaja, B. et al. Facile rebridging conjugation approach to attain monoclonal antibody-targeted nanoparticles with enhanced antigen binding and payload delivery. Bioconjugate Chem. 2024. DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00275
- Watts, A. G. & Alkhawaja, B. Bis(2-haloacetamido)-compounds for use as linking agents and resultant products which comprise antibodies, half-antibodies and antibody fragments. Patent WO/2020/260514.
- Padilha, A., Jones, E., Cutting, S., Godkin, A., Gallimore, A. & Parry, L. Regulatory T cells play a role in determining the tumourigenicity of the intestinal stem cell niche. Gastro Hep Advances 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2024.09.014