PhD Studentship: Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Caged Sugars to Explore Proteoglycan Architecture

The University of Manchester - Department of Chemistry

UK only

This 4-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert will be removed once the position has been filled.

Mammalian cells orchestrate signalling through interaction events on their surfaces. Proteoglycans are an intricate part of these interactions and are large biomolecules that consist of a core protein and one or more glycosaminoglycan (GAG) modifications. Proteoglycans form a myriad of interactions with cellular receptors as well as soluble signalling molecules, and provide structural support in connective tissues such as cartilage.^[1,2] Growth factors, neurotrophic factors and chemokines can be recruited to target cells through GAG binding sites, rendering proteoglycans important determinants for development.^[3,4] Consequently, dysfunctions in GAG biosynthesis cause severe phenotypes from embryonic lethality to skeletal and muscular deficiencies.^[5] Due to their importance in mammalian physiology new methods or tools that can identify and develop understanding surrounding proteoglycan architecture are of critical importance. It is here that synthetic chemistry can play an essential role, through the design and implementation of new caged sugar analogues (or tools) of building blocks that are critical to the biosynthesis of proteoglycans. Building upon the group’s prior work in the areas of glycosaminoglycan and sugar building block chemistry (https://millerresearchgroup.co.uk),^[6-13] this collaborative PhD will involve the design and synthesis of a new caged sugars to enable their evaluation in relevant biological systems. You will receive training in organic synthesis, carbohydrate chemistry, chemoenzymatic synthesis and molecular microbiology, all geared towards the design and development of chemical tools to understand and manipulate proteoglycans in cells. Transferable skills such as reporting of results orally and in writing, time management, project planning and management will also be developed.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor: Prof Gavin Miller - gavin.miller@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.