This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition, for entry in September 2026.

Overview of the Research:

We are seeking a talented PhD student to join our vibrant research groups at the Universities of Bath and Bristol. This is a fantastic opportunity to pursue multidisciplinary research and develop high-precision chemical biology approaches to investigate mitochondrial receptors (GPCRs), emerging drug targets in metabolic health, cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration. You will:

i) design and develop a selection of mitochondria-targeted GPCR ligands, including light-responsive probes;

ii) validate the ligands using cell-based biochemical assays and confocal microscopy;

iii) investigate mitochondrial function via mitochondrial isolation and respiration assays.

You will benefit from working in the state-of-the-art organic and chemical biology/GPCR labs at Bath (with M. Shchepinova and A. Cresswell) and train with a leading mitochondrial biology (with I. Collinson) and computational/AI modelling (with R. Corey) labs at Bristol.

At the end of the project, you will develop a multidisciplinary skillset spanning organic chemistry, GPCR biology, cell-based assays, mitochondrial biology and computational/AI modelling. This training will position you strongly for careers in chemical biology, GPCR biology/drug discovery or mitochondrial biology in academia, biotech or pharma.

Background:

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) sit at the heart of modern medicine. They are the largest family of membrane receptors, and the targets of over 30% of all approved drugs – from antidepressants and antihistamines to beta-blockers and Ozempic-like medications [1]. GPCRs act as cellular transmitters, sensing hormones, neurotransmitters and drugs and converting them into intracellular signalling cascades that shape how cells respond to stimuli. In addition to widely studied cell surface GPCRs, intracellular GPCRs, including endosomal, nuclear and mitochondrial receptors, have recently emerged as next-generation drug targets [2]. In fact, mitochondrial GPCRs are now recognised as key regulators of metabolism and cell survival, and their organelle-specific signalling could be key to treating cancer and metabolic disease with far greater precision [3].

However, we currently lack the tools to probe and exploit this biology [4].

Significance:

Your work will not only deliver much-needed tools to interrogate mitochondrial GPCRs, but also uncover new mitochondrial GPCR biology, and lay a clear roadmap for future intracellular GPCR-targeted therapeutics.

Project keywords: Chemical biology; Biochemistry; G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); mitochondria; molecular biology.

Candidate Requirements:

We welcome applicants with a background in chemistry, chemical biology, molecular biology, or related fields. Prior experience in e.g. chemical biology, cloning, GPCR biology, cell culture is helpful but not essential – we value curiosity, rigor and desire to learn.

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or high Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement by the application deadline.

Enquiries and Applications:

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Dr Maria Shchepinova, ms4652@bath.ac.uk

Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemistry prior to the closing date of this advert.

IMPORTANT:

When completing the application form:

1. In the Funding your studies section, select ‘University of Bath URSA’ as the studentship for which you are applying.

2. In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of this project and the name of the lead supervisor in the appropriate boxes.

Failure to complete these two steps will cause delays in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.

PLEASE BE AWARE: Applications for this project may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found. We therefore recommend that you contact the lead supervisor prior to applying and submit your formal application as early as possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

University of Bath

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Next-generation chemical biology approaches to target intracellular receptors