Engineering of Peptide Ligases for Peptide Synthesis

A PhD studentship is available at Queen’s University Belfast, as part of the cross-institutional BioAID Doctoral Training Programme, including world-leading experts from Queen's University Belfast, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh and University of Bristol.

BioAID will train the next generation of scientists in Artificial Intelligence and data-driven approaches for translational biocatalysis, addressing critical needs in the development of sustainable biotechnologies. The programme will equip PhD students with advanced expertise in enzyme science, machine learning, enzyme engineering and synthetic biology, accelerating innovation across sections including pharmaceuticals, agri-tech and clean manufacturing. Students will undertake interdisciplinary, co-supervised projects across biocatalysis and AI, supported by national computing infrastructure, hands-on laboratory training, and strong academic/industry partnerships through co-designed projects and placements. In addition, students will benefit from structured cohort training and tailored professional development delivered by partner institutions.

Peptide-based therapeutics, diagnostics and industrial biocatalysts are gaining increasing importance across healthcare and biotechnology, but their manufacturing remains constrained by the limitations of conventional peptide synthesis methods. chemical synthesis is expensive, generates significant waste, and can be challenging for longer or structurally complex peptides, Peptide ligases offer a more efficient, selective, and "green" route to peptide bond formation. However, enzymatic synthesis using natural proteases and ligases is often hampered by low efficiency, narrow substrate specificity, and unwanted hydrolysis side-reactions.

Engineering these enzymes for improved activity, specificity, and stability is largely still driven by slow, iterative experimental work rather than systematic, predictive design. This project will develop and apply AI-enhanced protein engineering platform, combining machine learning and structure-based modelling to explore defined sequence, structure, active-site geometry design space and accelerate discovery.

The project aims to establish an automated design pipeline integrating structural bioinformatics, molecular modelling, machine learning and experimental validation. This will enable rational and predictive engineering of peptide ligases with enhanced catalytic efficiency, substrate specificity, alongside reduced hydrolytic side-activity, for downstream applications in biocatalytic peptide synthesis.

This project is in close collaboration with Almac.

How to apply

Applications will only be considered if they are submitted via the QUB Direct Application portal.

We strongly recommend that you contact us if interested, before you submit your full application. Please email bioaid@qub.ac.uk

The scheme is open to UK students.

·        Fulfil Queen’s University Belfast entry requirements 

·        Hold (or expect to achieve) a First Class or 2:1 UK honours degree.

·        Ideally hold a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction.

·        Background in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related subject.

The deadline for applications is 17:00 BST on 28 Aug 2026.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

If you have any queries regarding making an application, please contact our admissions team at postgrad.admissions@qub.ac.uk,

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are fundamental to the success of Queen's University Belfast, and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. 

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status. 

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).

Funding Notes

The studentship is fully funded for 48 months as part of the BioAID Doctoral Training Programme led by Queen's University Belfast. The award covers tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate; for 2026-27 this is £21,805 per annum, for a candidate satisfying UKRI residency criteria. Award of funding is subject to final confirmation of BBSRC funding.