We have three fully-funded, industry-linked, PhD studentships available for study commencing in 2026. Project details and instructions on how to apply are described below.
The Development of Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugate Technology for Use Beyond Oncology
Funded by Medical Research Scotland, with additional support from Charles River, an industry-linked, 4 year, PhD Studentship is available from October 2026 for eligible home fee students. The studentship is fully collaborative with Charles River Laboratories in Saffron Walden, Essex, UK, and it is expected that the location of the studentship research will be split approximately 50:50 between the Company and the University laboratories. A senior scientist from Charles River will co-supervise along with Professor Kerr, providing robust and comprehensive mentorship for the individual PhD researcher.
The studentship will explore the area of targeted therapy within drug discovery. Specifically, the project will develop novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), an innovative type of targeted therapeutic modality that has shown highly selective delivery of cytotoxic drugs to disease cells. Whilst antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology has reached the clinic in oncology, currently, there is limited insight that exists for employing ADCs in other therapeutic areas.
The student will become an expert in the ADC field and obtain broad experience in chemical synthesis, alongside key medicinal chemistry skills and knowledge. Exposure to the biological elements of the project will further elevate the expertise of the individual.
Closing Date: 12.00 pm, Monday 16th March, 2026. Note: applications may be shared with Medical Research Scotland and Charles River Laboratories.
New Approaches to Iridium-Catalysed C-H Activation and Hydrogen Isotope Exchange
Funded by the EPSRC, with additional support from GSK, an industry-linked, 4 year, PhD Studentship is available for starting now, and until October 2026 for eligible home fee students. The studentship is fully collaborative with GSK in Stevenage, UK, with a senior scientist from GSK co-supervising alongside Professor Kerr to provide a robust and comprehensive mentorship for the individual PhD researcher. The location of the studentship research will take place mainly within University laboratories, with an opportunity to spend 3 months in industry.
The project will explore new methods for directed C-H activation and hydrogen isotope exchange , based on state-of-the-art isotopic labelling catalyst classes developed at Strathclyde. Mechanistic investigations, blending computational studies with rigorous experimental kinetic measurements, will inform new catalyst design. Additionally, a novel study into the role of deuterium gas in the exchange process, including reactor design, will provide key insights to deliver more effective labelling of complex drug-like molecules. The new catalysts and methods that emerge will provide a range of efficient methods to access a variety of isotopically labelled drug-like entities.
Closing date: 12.00 pm, Monday 2nd March, 2026. Note: applications may be shared with the EPSRC and GSK.
Development of New Approaches to Oligonucleotide Synthesis
Funded by the EPSRC, with additional support from GSK, an industry-linked, 4 year, PhD Studentship is available for starting in October 2026 for eligible home fee students. The studentship is fully collaborative with GSK in Stevenage, UK, with a senior scientist from GSK co-supervising alongside Professor Kerr to provide a robust and comprehensive mentorship for the individual PhD researcher. The location of the studentship research will take place mainly within University laboratories, with an opportunity to spend 3 months in industry.
This project builds on a longstanding collaboration between GSK and the University of Strathclyde, uniting expertise in organometallic chemistry, catalysis, and pharmaceutical applications. Dr Lindsay and Professor Kerr have pioneered iridium catalysts that enable C–H activation and hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE), and have recently demonstrated the applicability of these species to the reduction of C=C and C=N bonds. It is now proposed to extend these methods to the stereoselective reduction of C=C bonds. The Strathclyde expertise in catalyst design and mechanistic studies will combine with GSK inputs on targets, informatics, and application insight. Together, this collaboration will deliver new C=C reduction methodologies with direct impact on pharmaceutical research.
Closing date: 12.00 pm, Monday 2nd March, 2026. Note: applications may be shared with the EPSRC and GSK.
How to apply:
Applicants must have, or expect to obtain, a strong MChem (or equivalent) degree as a requirement of the funding. Additionally, the position is well suited to students with significant experience in Synthetic Organic Chemistry obtained either through industrial placement or as part of an MChem research project.
Please submit your application by e-mail to Dr Laura C. Paterson (laura.c.paterson@strath.ac.uk), which should make note of the project you are applying for, as well include:
- Cover letter, detailing your experience and motivation for PhD studies;
- CV with the details of two referees;
- Full transcripts from your undergraduate degree and any additional higher degree studies; and
- Other pertinent information (e.g., publications, awards, and other distinctions)
The successful applicants will join our extremely motivated and industrious research team, and will receive elevated levels of training in the areas of preparative chemistry, organometallic-based synthesis, reaction mechanism, computational methods, and the associated analytical/spectroscopic requirements. Industrial partners will also provide key training opportunities as aligned to the individual projects.
Kerr Group Research 