We always seek talented and dedicated researchers to join our group and conduct research at the interface of chemistry, biology and bioengineering

We are always excited to supervise MPhil, MRes, MSci and MSc students. If you are interested, please contact Lucia for more information.

Funded PhD and Postdoctoral positions will be advertised here under “Current openings” and on the QUB website when available. 

Current openings

A funded PhD position is available under the supervision of Lucia Lombardi and Paulina Quintanilla (UCL). This opportunity is open to both home and international candidates. We are looking for a highly motivated student interested in working at the interface of organic chemistry, chemical biology, bioengineering and artificial intelligence.

The project aims to develop engineered peptides and biomimetic systems to enable safe, targeted and efficient delivery of therapeutic compounds to the brain. The successful candidate will collaborate with Sophie V. Morse (Imperial College London) and Yuval Elani (Imperial College London) within a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.

💰 Funding: £21,383 per annum (stipend) + full tuition (home & international)
📅 Start Date: October 2026
⏱️ Duration: 3 years
🕓 Application Deadline: 16 January 2026

Skills/Experience Required

Ideal candidates should have a strong background in chemistry, with practical skills in organic chemistry laboratory work being highly desirable. While not essential, the following skills and knowledge are highly preferred and will be positively considered during the selection process:

  • Fundamental knowledge of drug delivery systems
  • Basic understanding of machine learning concepts and programming

More details and how to apply: here

External funding

Funding can be secured from various external sources. If you are interested in joining our team as a Research Fellow or PhD student and believe you are a strong candidate for independent funding, feel free to reach out to Lucia (l.lombardi@qub.ac.uk) for guidance and support with your application. Please include in your email a single PDF file with a brief cover letter describing your relevant interests and research experience and CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Prospective Fellows

Open Fellowship Scheme

Are you a postdoctoral researcher interested in the gut-brain axis? 

I am seeking to host a talented, motivated postdoctoral researcher who plans to apply for an independent fellowship in the gut–brain axis area. As the host lab, I will provide mentorship and work with the candidate to develop and write a competitive proposal. Applicants should have relevant experience and a clear trajectory toward research independence.

My team is chemistry-based, with strong connections across life sciences and engineering. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working at the interface and collaborating across disciplines, with confidence in an organic and biological chemistry environment. 

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact me and send a cover letter and CV by 31 January 2026.

Other opportunities (please check current openings)

Several funding schemes may be applicable and can be obtained from the following organizations:

  • BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)
  • EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Leverhulme Trust
  • Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
  • Royal Society
  • AXA Fellowships
  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
  • EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization)
  • HFSP (Human Frontier Science Program)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

For further details and assistance in exploring these opportunities, feel free to get in touch.

Prospective Students

PhD Scholarships for Students from China

Queen’s University/CSC PhD Scholarships 2026 are now open for applications.

If you are looking for a PhD position, are a citizen of the People’s Republic of China at the time of application (PRC passport), and are either permanently resident in China or currently studying overseas, we would be pleased to hear from you about potential supervision and project fit.
If you are interested in working with us, please send an email to l.lombardi@qub.ac.uk with:
• your cover letter and CV
• 1-page research proposal outline.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, 27 January 2026
More details and how to apply: here

Other opportunities (please check current openings)

External PhD/MRes scholarships may be available, depending on your country of origin. Some potential funding opportunities include:

  • Newton PhD Scholarships (international)
  • Marshall Scholarship (USA)
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (international)
  • Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (international)
  • Fondazione Zegna (Italia)
  • Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme (African female students)
  • Fulbright Scholarships to the UK (USA)
  • British Council GREAT Scholarship (India)
  • Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme
  • Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC, 国家留学基金委）
  • Saïd Foundation (Middle East)
  • QUB International Scholarships
  • DAERA Postgraduate Studentship 

We encourage prospective candidates to explore these options and contact us for further guidance on the application process.