Hierarchical Assembly of Precision Polymer Nanomaterials into Advanced Nanomedicines

About this opportunity

Despite tremendous advances in science, the capabilities of humanity remain vastly inferior to nature. Nature can produce highly complex, adaptable macroscopic living systems with incredible diversity and function. This is possible because nature is uniquely capable of controlling the structure and properties of materials across multiple length scales from the atomic level through to entire ecosystems. In contrast, synthetic materials struggle to reach more than a few levels of structural control, with properties and function primarily dictated by their atomic or nanoscale structure.

This PhD project will focus on the development of precision materials with structural control across multiple length scales, producing precision structures that span the molecular to macroscopic world. This will be achieved through combination of polymer chemistry, which enables excellent molecular control, and crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA), which enables exquisite nanoscale control. Building on our work developing precision nanofibers for therapeutic delivery (Chem. Sci. 2020, JACS 2022, JACS 2024, Chem. Eur. J. 2025), we will produce a range of non-spherical nanomaterials and develop techniques to control their self-assembly into higher-order materials. The resulting hierarchical materials will be used to understand the interface between nanomaterials and biology, with a view to their application as therapeutic delivery systems. Further applications of these materials outside of nanomedicine will be diverse and open to the interests of the student. This research is enabled by the facilities for high-throughput experimentation and digital chemistry at the Materials Innovation Factory which enable rapid exploration of chemical space and enable you to learn key skills in automation.

The interdisciplinary nature of this project means the successful student can expect to learn a broad range of skills within the Street research group, from fundamental chemical synthesis, through polymer science, nanoscience and self-assembly, to analysis, testing and application-specific techniques that can include cell culture and molecular biology. You will also have the opportunity to learn data science and coding skills to rapidly interrogate the large volumes of data generated.

Depending on the applications pursued, there is scope to visit collaborators’ labs in Canada, Spain, and elsewhere in the UK.

This project will be based in the research group of Dr. Steven Street. For more information about the group and Dr. Street’s research, see his ORCHID profile: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-7635-8733. For questions or if you wish to have an informal discussion with Steve, you can contact him via email at steven.street@liverpool.ac.uk.

A range of other exciting research directions are also possible within the group. If you are interested in joining and wish to discuss potential projects and funding sources, please get in touch as generous support can be offered. We also welcome self-funded PhD candidates.

The Street research group is an open and welcoming space for all. We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and personal circumstances. We embrace flexible working opportunities and strive to provide a supportive environment where you can flourish and reach your full potential.

Further reading

1. Street, S. T. G.; Shteinberg, E.; Garcia Hernandez, J. D.; Parkin, H. C.; Harniman, R. L.; Willerth, S. Manners, I. Precision Stealth Nanofibers via PET-RAFT Polymerisation: Synthesis, Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly and Cellular Uptake Studies Eur. J. 2025, 31, e202500108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202500108.
2. Parkin, H. C.; Street, S. T. G.; Gowen, B.; Da-Silva-Correa, L. H.; Hof, R.; Buckley, H. L.; Manners, I. Mechanism of Action and Design of Potent Antibacterial Block Copolymer Nanoparticles Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 5128–41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c09033.
3. Street, S. T. G.; Chrenek, J.; Harniman, R. L.; Letwin, K.; Mantell, J. M.; Borucu, U.; Willerth, S. M.; Manners, I. Length-Controlled Nanofiber Micelleplexes as Efficient Nucleic Acid Delivery Vehicles Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 19799–812. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c06695.
4. Street, S. T. G.; He, Y.; Jin, X. H.; Hodgson, L.; Verkade, P.; Manners, I. Cellular Uptake and Targeting of Low Dispersity, Dual Emissive, Segmented Block Copolymer Nanofibers Sci. 2020, 11, 8394–8408. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC02593C.
5. Qiu, H.; Hudson, Z. M.; Winnik, M. A.; Manners, I. Multidimensional Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Cylindrical Block Comicelles Science 2015, 347, 1329–32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1261816.

Who is this for?

We are looking for candidates with an enthusiasm for scientific research and a desire to use chemistry to find innovative solutions to challenging problems. We are targeting candidates with a BSc or MSc in chemistry or chemical engineering (or equivalent) for this post, though applications are welcome from other disciplines as all training will be provided. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with experience in organic synthesis or polymer chemistry.

Funding your PhD

This funded Studentship will cover full tuition fees of £5,006 pa. and pay a maintenance grant for 3.5 years, starting at the UKRI minimum of £20,780 pa. for academic year 2025-2026. The Studentship also comes with a Research Training Support Grant to fund consumables, travel, and conference attendance, etc. While the studentship is for UK candidates, exceptional international candidates may also be considered. Enquire before making an application.

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.