Producing improved HIV-immunotherapies by integrating AI with plant molecular farming

About the Project

SLS-1. Producing improved HIV-immunotherapies by integrating AI with plant molecular farming.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to develop next-generation HIV immunotherapies by combining artificial intelligence with plant molecular farming. HIV remains a major global health challenge, and current treatments are expensive and difficult to deliver in low-resource settings. This project will use AI approaches to predict novel broadly neutralising antibodies capable of targeting conserved regions of the HIV envelope, inspired by rare “elite controllers”. Candidate antibodies will be rapidly produced using low-cost plant expression systems and evaluated in vitro to determine whether their efficacy matches or exceeds existing therapies. The project offers interdisciplinary training across AI, molecular biology, plant biotechnology, and immunology, and is ideal for graduates with interests in computational biology, bioengineering, and global health research.

Please contact Dr Cathy Moore to discuss: c.moore@westminster.ac.uk

The studentships will include comprehensive personal and professional development training and a mentoring programme from the University of Westminster Graduate School. The researchers will join a School committed to decolonising and diversifying policies, practices and cultures within and beyond Higher Education.

Entry requirements and how to apply.

Candidates should have a minimum classification of 2.1 in their Bachelor's degree or equivalent, and preferably a Master’s degree. Applicants whose secondary level education has not been conducted in the medium of English should also demonstrate evidence of appropriate English language proficiency normally defined as IELTS: 6.5 (overall score with not less than 6.0 in any of the individual elements). You can read more about our entry requirements here: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/entry-requirements

How to apply: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/how-to-apply-for-a-research-degree

You can read more about what should be in a PhD research proposal here: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/entry-requirements/how-to-write-your-research-proposal

And about our Graduate School and the support they provide: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/research/graduate-school

To make an application, follow the link below to apply for the programme most appropriate to your research: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/research-areas/school-of-life-sciences

Applications should be submitted by 5pm on Friday, 15th May 2026. Interviews will take place in June.

You must include the code and title of the studentship you are applying for in your application header, i.e. “SLS-1 Studentship”.

For queries about any aspect of the application process or informal enquiries, contact our Doctoral Coordinator, Dr Polly Hayes: p.hayes@westminster.ac.uk

* Minimum full-time enrolment before submission is 33 months. Fee waivers and maintenance are in place for the three-year studentship. Following that, there is a six-month no-fee period for writing up. If a doctoral research student has not submitted by the end of the no-fee period, a £1,500 fee applies.

Funding Notes

The studentships include:

• Home tuition fee waiver (£5,238 per year)
• Bench fees (£4,000 per year)
• Annual stipend of £23,805 for three years (including London weighting)