I am recruiting four fully funded PhD students to join my lab at King’s College London from October 2026. Our group combines structural biology, biophysics and AI-driven molecular design to understand and manipulate RNA-binding proteins and RNAs.
All projects will be based in the Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics at King’s College London, with access to state-of-the-art structural, biophysical and computational facilities, and to international synchrotron (ESRF) and NMR infrastructures. Students will join a vibrant, collaborative environment and benefit from close supervision, tailored training and strong mentoring for their future careers.
Below are the projects currently available for October 2026 entry.
De novo molecular generation and property optimisation using multi-objective Monte Carlo search
Application route:
via the EPSRC DRIVE-Health CDT application process (see the CDT website for details and deadlines).
Exploring the 4D nexus between RNA-binding proteins and RNA
Methods and training
- Molecular & RNA biology, in vitro transcription and sample preparation
- Biophysics and structural techniques (SAXS, NMR, AFM)
- Computational modelling and molecular dynamics
- Data analysis, scientific writing and presentation skills
Eligibility & funding:
This studentship is funded by The Darwin Trust of Edinburgh and is open to candidates who are not UK nationals and who meet the specific eligibility criteria of the Darwin Trust/KCL scheme (including self-identifying as from a Black heritage background and being resident on the African continent at the time of application). More info here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/darwin-trust-phd-studentship-scheme#:~:text=The%20Darwin%20Trust%20awards%20four,student%20stipend%20and%20consumable%20support.
Supervision:
- Dr Filippo Prischi (KCL)
- Dr Konstantin Roeder (KCL)
Application route:
Number of applications are capped – contact filippo.prischi@kcl.ac.uk if you are interested in applying. (application open 15th December 2025, deadline 30 January 2026)
KCL–China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD Studentship
Methods and training
- RNA biology and RNA-binding proteins,
- structural and biophysical methods, and
- computational or AI-assisted analysis.
Eligibility & funding:
This studentship is open to highly motivated applicants who are citizens and permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China (holders of a valid Chinese passport) and possess strong backgrounds in biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, computer science or bioinformatics. More info here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study-legacy/funding/kings-china-scholarship-council-phd-scholarship-programme-k-csc
Application route:
Number of applications are capped – contact filippo.prischi@kcl.ac.uk if you are interested in applying. (application deadline 31 December 2025)
multiscale RNA Networks and Pathways King’s Prize Doctoral Programme (mRNP-DP)
The overarching aim of this project is to understand how RNA molecules and RNA-binding proteins interact across different spatial and temporal scales to regulate cellular decisions, and how these networks are rewired in disease.
Eligibility & funding:
This studentship is opened to highly motivated students (UK nationals only) with strong backgrounds in biochemistry and biophysics who are keen to pursue interdisciplinary work.
Application route:
Projects will be advertised on the mRNP-DP website on 5th January (deadline 20th February).
Prischi Lab 