PhD in Organic / Peptide Chemistry

Peptides are one of the fastest-growing classes of new drugs. With nearly 100 peptide APIs on the market currently, over 150 peptides in clinical development and between 400 to 600 other ones in preclinical phase, the sales of peptide-based drugs are expected to surpass $68 billion by 2028.
Having molecular weights comprised between 1,000 and 5,000 Da, peptide APIs can be synthesised, with Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) the preferred method. However, it has been recognised that a greener process for peptide APIs is a critical unmet need (American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute Pharmaceutical Roundtable 2016). For example, SPPS is generally relying on N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), solvents classified as substances of very high concern (SVHC) under REACh EU regulations since 2007, restrictions applying on the use of the former solvent since December 2023. SPPS also commonly uses trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a chemical listed among the Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), chemical contaminants of emerging concern, with environmental concentrations of TFA being the highest among PFAS.
The present project aims to develop a novel, sustainable, approach to SPPS circumventing the use of reagents (including TFA and coupling reagents) and solvents which do not currently satisfy green chemistry requisites. The objectives of the project are to synthesise peptides from suitably protected and activated amino acids, using water as the main solvent for the entire sequence assembly.

PhD in Organic / Peptide Chemistry within the Research Ireland’s Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals (SSPC)
SSPC is seeking a PhD candidate in Organic/Peptide Chemistry for a project in collaboration with a leading pharmaceutical company. SSPC is a world-leading hub of Irish research expertise developing innovative technologies to address key challenges facing the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry. Activities span the entire pharmaceutical production chain, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing and Biologics, with particular focus on sustainability.
Location: Department of Chemistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin
https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/research-and-innovation/research/research-themes/chemistry-and-pharmaceutical-sciences

This 4-year, full time, PhD position is involving a collaborative project jointly funded by SSPC and a leading pharmaceutical company and is supervised by RCSI and the pharmaceutical company.
The successful candidate will join a world-leading Research Centre to work on a joint academic-industry project with significant objectives in the therapeutic, economic and sustainability areas. They will work closely throughout the PhD period with the Principal Investigator and benefit from mentoring by the supervisory team, including feedback from representatives of a major pharmaceutical company. They will join a community of PhD researchers in state-of-the-art facilities and the dynamic city of Dublin.

Qualification: MSc in Chemistry with good experience in organic synthesis.
The successful candidate should ideally possess the following profile:
Strong practical skills in synthetic (organic) and analytical chemistry
Structured and organized work with strong attention to details
Strong ability to work and communicate in a multi-sectoral team
Experience in solid phase (peptide) synthesis would be an advantage but is not a requisite.
Key Responsibilities:
To implement the research programme aiming to develop a SPPS approach which allows the synthesis of peptides in aqueous media and with green reagents.
To attend and participate in research and training activities within the RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies and SSPC
To present the project results at regular project meetings at RCSI, SSPC and with a leading pharmaceutical company
To submit a PhD thesis
To be involved in departmental and group activities.