BITS-RMIT Transnational PhD Program Invites Applications for Fully-Funded Joint Doctoral Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry and Cancer Biology
Pharm'Up 
Applications are invited from qualified and research-oriented candidates for a fully-funded joint Ph.D. position under the transnational collaborative program between the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University.
The selected doctoral researcher will work on the multidisciplinary project titled “Development of autophagy targeting nature inspired spiro-compounds as promising anticancer therapy followed by preclinical validation” (Project ID: BITSRMIT024B001251). This initiative bridges computational drug design, green microwave-assisted chemical synthesis, and preclinical cancer biology to establish novel therapeutic avenues against malignant tumors.
Project Overview & Focus Areas
- Project Title: Development of autophagy targeting nature inspired spiro-compounds as promising anticancer therapy followed by preclinical validation
- Project ID: BITSRMIT024B001251
- Research Focus (FoR Codes):
- 340401 – Biologically Active Molecules (40%)
- 340503 – Organic Chemical Synthesis (40%)
- 340701 – Computational Chemistry (20%)
- Strategic Theme: Better Health Outcomes / Biotechnology
- Funding Status: Fully-Funded Transnational Fellowship
Research Objectives & Deliverables
- Computational Screening: Performing in-silico screening of nature-inspired small spiro-compounds against critical protein targets involved in cancer autophagy pathways.
- Green Synthetic Chemistry: Developing structural analogues using a microwave reactor via established one-pot, three-component, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methods for rapid, high-yield compound libraries.
- Biological & Preclinical Validation: Conducting rigorous in vitro and in vivo preclinical evaluations following standard anticancer drug discovery protocols to assess therapeutic efficacy and overcome tumor drug resistance.
Eligibility & Academic Disciplines
- Primary Areas: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry, and Pharmacy
- Eligible Academic Backgrounds:
- Life Sciences & Biotechnology: Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biomaterials, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering/Sciences, Bioinformatics
- Chemical Sciences: Chemistry, Organic/Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Colloids, Surface Chemistry, Catalysis
- Pharmaceutical Studies: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology
Application Timeline
- Application Deadline: October 10, 2026
About the Author
