Drug discovery project to target kinases involved in brain cancer

NOW CLOSED!

About the Project

This project is one of 21 four year PhD Studentships funded by Medical Research Scotland (MRS) (https://www.medicalresearchscotland.org.uk) to be delivered jointly by the named University and External Partner Organisation (EPO). The Studentship will provide first-class academic, and additional training provided by the EPO, needed to equip the successful candidate for a science career in an increasingly competitive market.

"Drug discovery project to target kinases involved in brain cancer" to be delivered by the University of Edinburgh [Supervisors: Professor Asier Unciti-Broceta, Professor Neil Carragher (both Edinburgh Cancer Research, University of Edinburgh) and Professor Steve Pollard (Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh)] and Nuvectis Pharma Inc (https://nuvectis.com/) [External Partner Organisation supervisor: Dr Enrique Poradosu].

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain cancer. It is characterised by genetic alterations that results in disruption of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signalling. We have identified a new class of compounds that potently inhibits GBM cell proliferation by blocking the RTK CSF-1R. Phenomics studies across patient-derived GBM cells showed that the lead compound displays preferential activity against GBM cells of the mesenchymal subtype, one of the most invasive of all GBM subclasses.

Given the prominent role of CSF-1R in tumour immune evasion in GBM and other cancers, with the support of Medical Research Scotland (MRS) we will recruit a PhD student and develop a lead optimisation campaign to progress to in vivo studies and IP protection. Joining forces with Nuvectis Pharma, the student will perform a cross-disciplinary project at the interface of medicinal chemistry, cancer biology and drug discovery, aiming to find a targeted therapy against the most life-threatening brain cancer.

The project will be carried out at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (Edinburgh Cancer Research) and will be supervised by Professor Asier Unciti-Broceta (First Supervisor) and Professor Neil Carragher (Second Supervisor), drug discovery experts and inventors of the clinical drug candidate NXP900. The student will also benefit from close interactions with Professor Steve Pollard (Centre of Regenerative Medicine), expert in brain cancer biology. The PhD student will receive invaluable training in multiple cutting-edge techniques at the interface of chemistry and biomedicine (including organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, cell culture, phenotypic screening assays, IP protection and technology transfer) within a world-class research environment. Last but not least, direct interactions with our industry partner Nuvectis Pharma will provide a unique training experience for the student.

ENQUIRIES:

Enquiries should be sent by email to Professor Asier Unciti-Broceta:

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants must have obtained, or expect to obtain, a first-class honours degree (or an upper-second class with industry experience), or equivalent for degrees obtained outside the UK, in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related discipline. Lab experience in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry via honours project, a year in industry or MSc by Research will be highly valued.

Applications must be submitted online through the University’s online application system (EUCLID), by selecting the option PhD Cancer (Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre) via the apply link below. (PLEASE NOTE: although the name of the programme says 3 years, the studentship is for 4-years.)

Your application should include a covering letter explaining your motivation for applying for this PhD project, a full Curriculum Vitae and the names and contact details (including email addresses) of at least two academic referees.

Please note, your application may be shared with the funders of this PhD Studentship, Medical Research Scotland and Nuvectis Pharma Inc.

Interviews are expected to take place about 1-2 weeks after the closing date for applications.

It is anticipated that the PhD Studentship will start 5 October 2026.

PhD Studentship provides: an annual tax-free stipend of  £21,416, increasing to £21,991 over the four years; tuition fees at home rates only; consumables; and generous travel allowance. International fees are not covered.

www.boomchemistry.com 
Discovery of pyrazolopyrimidines that selectively inhibit CSF-1R kinase by iterative design, synthesis and screening against glioblastoma cells - RSC Medicinal Chemistry (RSC Publishing) DOI:10.1039/D3MD00454F
 


 

Enquiries

Enquiries should be sent by email to Professor Asier Unciti-Broceta:

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