P15) New Molecular Architectures for Targeting the Respiratory Chain of Mycobacteria

About the project

About the Project The Ineos Oxford Institute (IOI) spearheads sustainable drug discovery against devastating mycobacterial diseases, primarily tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). According to the World Health Organization, TB remains a leading global infectious killer, claiming nearly 4,500 lives daily. Mtb evades antibiotic treatment through respiratory flexibility, enabling it to remain dormant within the host. This PhD project aims to exploit this evolutionary advantage by targeting unique components of the Mtb respiratory pathway for novel antibiotic development, addressing the challenge of identifying molecular combinations that cooperatively shut down all energy transduction pathways. Based at the University of York, you will be trained to solve this challenge using a specialized biophysical toolkit developed by Professors Alison Parkin and Jamie Blaza. Through this collaboration, you will gain advanced expertise in probing the mode of action of respiratory-targeting drugs via a complementary combination of bioelectrochemistry, whole-cell spectroscopy, and cryo-EM. Ultimately, this project will map how IOI-developed chemical compounds eradicate Mtb, teaching us how organic chemical structure maps on to enzyme inhibition to enable the optimization of combinatorial therapies to ensure the sustainable, efficient and responsible deployment of next-generation antibiotics. Supervisory Team: Prof Alison Parkin (York Chemistry), Prof Jamie Blaza (York Chemistry) Further information The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Chemical Synthesis for a Healthy Planet (CSHP CDT) is a EPSRC-funded centre focused on training the next generation of synthetic chemists, developing a sustainable, innovative chemistry culture that equips students to address major emerging and future global challenges in Human Health, Energy & Materials, and Food Security. We offer a fully-funded four year PhD programme, delivered jointly by the Universities of Oxford and York, comprised of taught courses and a substantive research project. Student cohorts will work together in a 4-month training period at both Oxford and York, before embarking on their main PhD projects. These substantive projects will be industry co-supervised, and based at either the Department of Chemistry in Oxford, or the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at York and the associated Department of Chemistry. This PhD project will primarily be based at the University of York. The first application deadline is 12 noon on the 13th November 2026 . We will continue to receive applications following this deadline, however some of the projects may be filled following the assessment of the first round of applications. We therefore encourage you to submit your application early to ensure that your first choice project is available. All project partners recognise the importance of equal participation, progression and success for all. We strive to provide a working, learning, social and living environment that will enable all our staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish and to excel - a place where we can ALL be ourselves. The Department of Chemistry in York holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award, while the Department of Chemistry in Oxford holds a Silver Award. Both are committed to supporting equality and diversity for all staff and students. The Departments strive to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel; for more details, see: Equality and Diversity at York and Equality and Diversity at Oxford . In particular, we recognise the importance of the equal participation of women at all levels in a subject that has traditionally been male-dominated. We also particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented across the partnership. Eligibility Criteria You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (usually chemistry or chemical engineering, but please get in touch if you think your qualification may be relevant). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. Check the entry requirements for your country. English language requirements. How to apply Submit an online PhD in Chemistry application . You will need to prepare the following information: 1000-word personal statement, focusing on your interest and experience in your proposed field of research Clearly state your 1-2-3 choice of substantive research projects chosen from our list at the end of your personal statement Transcripts detailing your university-level qualifications and marks to date Two Academic/Professional References: you will be required to submit contact details for 2 referees Complete the CSHP CDT Studentship: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Data Form (for York applicants only). For more details on the application and selection processes, and for answers to general questions (i.e. funding eligibility, project allocation, etc.) please visit our how to apply and FAQs section or join us for our online open event . Contact Details Project-specific Prof Alison Parkin, alison.parkin@york.ac.uk General CDT enquiries: cshp-cdt@chem.ox.ac.uk or chem-env-pgr@york.ac.uk

Research areas