4-year PhD Studentship: Advancing Antibody-Drug Conjugates with Novel NMT Inhibitor Payloads

Inhibitors of N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) are among the most exciting new ADC payload classes, and were pioneered in the labs of Prof Ed Tate and collaborators at Imperial College London and the Francis Crick Institute. NMT plays a unique role in cancer biology by simultaneously regulating proteins critical for growth factor signalling, metabolism, autophagy, and protein secretion. This PhD project will focus on accelerating the clinical development of NMTi ADCs by deepening our understanding of their mechanism of action, in close collaboration with Myricx Bio. Areas of interest include ADC uptake and payload release, target engagement and molecular mechanisms leading to efficacy, and identification of potential novel biomarkers and resistance mechanisms.

This PhD would suit a candidate with a passion for applying cutting edge molecular cell biology to enable novel ADC discovery and clinical development. Prior experience in a multidisciplinary or industrial research environment would be an advantage.

Submit your application online, selecting Department of Chemistry PhD, https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/postgraduate-doctoral/application-process/. In addition, please email your CV and cover letter directly to Dr Edward Bartlett (e.bartlett@imperial.ac.uk), lab manager in the Tate group.

Application deadline 28th February 2025. Start date flexible, from May 2025.

PhD studentships 

Any students interested in pursuing postgraduate research in our group other than the studentships listed above should contact Professor Tate directly; all prospective applicants should have or expect to obtain a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related discipline; non-UK students must be able to obtain independent funding for their studies, e.g. via a government bursary. 

Postdoctoral opportunities

We welcome informal enquiries from potential postdoctoral fellows with outstanding research track records who are prepared to apply for independent research funding, for example from the European Union, HFSP, etc. Full assistance will be given in preparing a competitive research proposal; we have an exceptional track record in accelerating the careers of outstanding postdoctoral researchers, with six Marie Curie fellows in our lab in the past four years. 

 

 

Contact

Prof. Ed Tate
GSK Chair in Chemical Biology
Department of Chemistry
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus,
82 Wood Lane, London, W12 0BZ

e.tate@imperial.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 759 + ext 43752 or 45821