Novel strategies to enable and advance androgen receptor drug discovery for prostate cancer

About the Project

Help develop transformative therapeutic strategies for advanced prostate cancer using cutting-edge protein engineering and peptide discovery.

This interdisciplinary PhD project focuses one of the key challenges in prostate cancer research: persistent androgen receptor (AR) signalling that continues to drive tumour growth, even after standard hormone-deprivation therapies cease to work. By creating and assessing new molecular tools – designer proteins and cyclic peptides – you will explore pioneering ways to modulate AR activity.

Working at the interface of computational design, structural biology, biophysics and cancer cell biology, you will design and characterise novel AR-binding molecules capable of disrupting key molecular interactions required for AR signalling. These tools will allow you to probe AR function with unprecedented precision and lay the foundation for novel therapeutic approaches for castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

You will be supervised by experts in protein design, AR biology and cyclic peptide discovery, embedded across the Newcastle Drug Discovery Group (DDG) and the Kawamura Lab, two highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research environments. Training will include:

• de novo protein design using state-of-the-art computational pipelines
• recombinant protein expression and purification
• biochemical and biophysical characterisation
• cyclic peptide screening and evaluation
• prostate cancer cell culture models
• imaging, Western blotting and qPCR to track cellular responses

You will also access Newcastle University’s world-class facilities in structural biology, cancer biology and drug discovery innovation, working alongside researchers specialising in chemical biology, cell signalling, molecular modelling and therapeutic development with a track record for bringing new drugs to the clinic. Optional training in peptide chemistry is available for students wishing to broaden their skill set.

The DDG and Kawamura groups foster a supportive, inclusive and collaborative research culture, with regular project-review meetings, interdisciplinary seminars, weekly lab meetings and peer-led upskilling sessions. You will be an active part of a thriving postgraduate community and will be encouraged to engage with the Faculty of Medical Sciences PGR Development Programme, events within the Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, and cross-faculty research networks.

This project is ideal for students excited by drug discovery, structural and molecular biology, protein engineering, or cancer research. You will gain and exceptionally strong interdisciplinary skill set, preparing you for career paths in academia, biotech, the pharmaceutical sector or beyond. If you are motivated to innovate and contribute to future therapeutic breakthroughs to transform patient outcomes, we warmly encourage your application.

Funding

Students who have, or are expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, are invited to apply. Funding is available for Home (UK) students to cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (indicative amount in year 1 in 2026-27, £21,805) and research costs, for four years. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the home and the International tuition fee rates. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the following application form – Google Form

Applicants can only apply for 1 project; any additional applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should send the following documents to FMSstudentships@newcastle.ac.uk:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees).
• a Cover letter – stating your project choice, as well as including additional information you feel is pertinent to your application.
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates.
• a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required)
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE

Please submit your documents in the following format only:

• each document should be submitted as a separate attachment and should be named as follows: candidate surname, candidate name – document type. For example: Jones, Jamie – CV; Jones, Jamie – cover letter.
• Please submit .pdf documents where possible for your CV, cover letter, transcripts and certificates. Do not submit photos of certificates.
• Do not combine documents into one pdf. You may zip separate documents into a zip file to send via email if required.
• When emailing your application, please use the email subject header: FMS PhD Application 2026

Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

Informal enquiries may be made to the lead supervisor of the project you are interested in.

The deadline for all applications is 12 noon BST (UK time) on Wednesday 20th May 2026.