Research

Current studentships

GlycoWrite: custom designed fermenter with a novel cell free expression system to control glycosylation patterns on glycoproteins (BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership)

Deadline: 07/01/2026 5:00PM
Studentship code: PHD
Staff name: Professor Safwan Akram
Research centre: National Horizons Centre (Biosciences)
Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start in October 2026.

Synthetic biology offers a unique opportunity to redesign biological systems for precise control over protein manufacturing. While advances in cellular and cell-free protein expression systems (CFPS) have enabled high-yield production of simple proteins, replicating the complexity of post-translational modifications (PTMs) particularly glycosylation remains one of the greatest unsolved challenges in biomanufacturing.

Glycosylation profoundly affects protein folding, stability, signalling, and therapeutic function. For biopharmaceuticals such as monoclonal antibodies or hormones like erythropoietin, regulatory authorities including the FDA and EMA demand that 95% of the final drug product consists of a single glycoform. Yet, conventional cellular systems (e.g., insect, plant, or CHO cells) often produce heterogeneous glycan profiles, leading to costly downstream purification and inconsistent product quality.

The GlycoWrite project aims to overcome this bottleneck by developing the first cell-free system capable of generating user-defined glycosylation patterns, mimicking the functional sophistication of the Golgi apparatus. This pioneering approach integrates enzyme engineering, bioinformatics, microfluidics, and advanced fermenter design to unlock next-generation control over glycoprotein synthesis.

Project Aims
The PhD project will design and construct a novel cell-free expression system (CFPS) housed within a custom-engineered fermenter capable of producing glycoproteins with programmable glycan structures. The system will
1. Facilitate an oxidising microenvironment akin to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi network.
2. Enable sequential enzymatic processing of nascent proteins using microfluidic compartmentalisation.
3. Implement a smart control unit to regulate enzyme activity, sequence, and timing to yield the desired glycoform.

Ultimately, this platform aims to transform how biotherapeutic glycoproteins are designed, manufactured, and standardised.
The successful candidate will join Professor Akram’s laboratory that houses a multidisciplinary team, known for innovations in protein engineering, synthetic biology and glycoanalytics supported by Professor Bruce Turnbull at University of Leeds, whose lab has been doing ground breaking work on engineering enzymes for glycan engineering. The project provides exceptional access to state-of-the-art tools, including Nuclera’s e-protein platform and BiologIC Technologies’ Qudos advanced fermentation systems. The student will receive training across enzyme design, cell-free protein synthesis, analytical glycoscience, and bioprocess control engineering, positioning them at the cutting edge of next-generation biomanufacturing.

Funding eligibility

This fully funded PhD Studentship covers tuition fees for the period of a full-time PhD Registration of up to four years and provide an annual tax-free stipend of £21,380 for three years, subject to satisfactory progress.

You must complete your PhD in four years..

Applications are welcome from UK and international students.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, chemical or biochemical engineering, or a related field. A master's level qualification in a relevant discipline is desirable, but not essential, as well as a demonstrable understanding of the research area.

Experience in molecular biology, protein engineering, bioinformatics, or microfluidics would be advantageous. A strong interest in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing is essential.

We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a very limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme.

International students will be subject to the standard entry criteria relating to English language ability, ATAS clearance and, when relevant, UK visa requirements and procedures.

The YBDTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.

How to apply

To submit your application, complete the Expression of Interest form below for any of the projects which interest you. You can apply for up to two YBDTP projects (which can be at different universities).

If you have any questions about the application process, please email ybdtp@leeds.ac.uk

Apply now

Selection process

Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview on a date to be confirmed in February 2026. You will be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 1ten days.

Successful applicants will progress to an offer of a place, to commence in October 2026.

About Teesside

We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive campus and to supporting all members of our University community to thrive whatever their age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, marital status, nationality or any other characteristic.
More about our Inclusive campus

As a Teesside University research student, you will join a growing and dynamic research community, allowing you to share your experiences, insight and inspiration with fellow researchers. You will benefit from our academic expertise and be supported through a strong programme of research training. You will be offered opportunities and support at each stage of your research degree. Our research is designed to have impact, and to influence policy and practice within our region, the UK and beyond. We work with external organisations to anticipate and respond to research needs, and to put our research into practice in sectors as diverse as the arts, engineering, healthcare and computing.

PhD students are encouraged to work with their supervisors to explore the potential impact of their work.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate fully in research group and centre activities, including training sessions and workshops, and will become a member of the University's wider postgraduate research community. Mentoring and support will be provided for the development of a strong academic and professional CV during the PhD.

The YBDTP brings together world-class bioscience research and innovation, as well as excellence in doctoral supervision, across the Yorkshire and Teesside region. The YBDTP will fund postgraduate researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside forming a strong regional training partnership. In YBDTP you'll benefit from a regional doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to enable you to develop a range of research skills in biological, biotechnology and biochemical areas as well as equip you with core data analysis and professional skills that are necessary for bioscience research and related non-academic careers. Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership

Academic enquiries

For academic enquiries, please contact safwan.akram@tees.ac.uk.

Key dates

Deadline: 07/01/2026 5:00PM
Interview date: We envisage that interviews will take place in February 2026.
Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start in October 2026.