AI-Guided Molecular Recognition Technologies
AI-Guided Native Mass Spectrometry for Molecular Recognition
This project is part of the UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme
Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend and a one-off Global Mobility Grant to conduct international engagement activities.
Discovering molecules that bind to proteins is central to drug discovery, but conventional screening methods are often slow, expensive and limited to testing compounds individually.
This project will develop new approaches that combine advanced native mass spectrometry, robotic chemistry and artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery and characterisation of protein-small molecule interactions. Building on our established methods for screening thousands of compounds simultaneously, we aim to integrate multiplexed, multistage mass spectrometry with automated sample preparation, robotic experimentation and AI-guided experimental design.
The PhD candidate will work across analytical chemistry, organic synthesis and computational science, supported by a supervisory team spanning these disciplines.
The project includes opportunities for research placements at the University of Florence, working with Professor Claudiu Supuran, a leading international medicinal chemist. The goal is to develop faster, more informative methods for molecular discovery, with applications in drug development and chemical biology.
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- Residency: Domestic applicants only.
- Degree program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You must meet the minimum requirements below to apply:
- An appropriate Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from UNSW: OR
- A completed Master by Research, with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis; OR
- a qualification from another tertiary institution at a level considered equivalent by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)
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Eligible applicants must contact the Primary Supervisor, William Donald - w.donald@unsw.edu.au. If he agrees to supervise you, you will be invited to submit a formal application to UNSW.
Your email should include:
- CV
- Official academic transcripts
- A brief introduction about you and why you are qualified for this project.
- What interests you about this project and the supervisor(s) expertise.
Research project overview
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Scholarship value
$39,991 per annum (2027 rate) stipend for 3.5 years
$25,000 Global Mobility Grant (one-off) -
Supervisory team
Professor William A. Donald (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Professor Vinh Nguyen (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Tiffany Walsh (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Claudiu T. Supuran (University of Florence, Co-Supervisor)
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Global research partner
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Candidate residency
Domestic
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Degree program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
UNSW School | Research area
Faculty of Science | School of Chemistry
Impact focus area
Pillar 8: Enable healthy lives
Learn more
Do you have questions?
The UNSW Graduate Research School manages all postgraduate research applications and scholarships. Get in touch with our team to discuss your research interests and the next steps.