Available projects in a sub-area

Medicinal Chemistry

Applications are now open for the scholarships listed in the tables below.

Discovery of New Photochemical Strategies to Synthesise Bioactive Molecules
Code Start date Value Contact
3371 23 November 2026 (negotiable) $1500
($250 x 6 weeks)
Dr Daniel Priebbenow
Email: daniel.priebbenow@monash.edu
Research profile: Dr Daniel Priebbenow
Prerequisites
Completed BPS3041.
Additional details
Synthetic photochemistry uses visible light irradiation to activate molecules and drive chemical reactivity. This project will involve the discovery and development of photochemical strategies for the sustainable synthesis of bioactive molecules using triplet-triplet energy transfer photocatalysis.
Applications
The deadline for applications is Friday, 28 August 2026 (5pm)

Apply now

Multifunctional degradation as a strategy to overcome therapeutic resistance in cancers
Code Start date Value Contact
3931 4 January 2027 (negotiable) $1500
($250 x 6 weeks)
Dr Manuela Jorg
Email: manuela.jorg@monash.edu
Research profile: Dr Manuela Jorg
Prerequisites
Applicants should have an interest in synthetic and analytical chemistry and be motivated to undertake laboratory-based research. Suitable applicants will be shortlisted and invited to an interview.
Additional details
Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with drug resistance limiting the long-term effectiveness of many treatments. This project will focus on the design, synthesis and evaluation of targeted protein degraders as a novel strategy to overcome therapeutic resistance. Students will gain practical experience in medicinal and synthetic chemistry, including compound synthesis, purification and characterisation using analytical techniques such as NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS and HPLC.
Applications
The deadline for applications is Friday, 28 August 2026 (5pm)

Apply now

Drug Design Integrating Data-centric and Physics-centric Modelling
Code Start date Value Contact
3932 23 November 2026 (negotiable) $3000
($250 x 12 weeks)
Dr Yun Shi
Email: yun.shi1@monash.edu
Research profile: Dr Yun Shi
Prerequisites
Please feel free to contact me. Shortlisted students are required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
Additional details
Discover drugs targeting NAD+ enzymes linked to neurodegeneration, cancer, and/or infections. Combine data-centric machine learning (AI) with physics-centric molecular simulations to design and prioritise candidate ligands for wet-lab tests. Great for students keen on computational drug discovery.

Please note, project duration is flexible, pending discussion with the supervisor during the selection process.
Applications
The deadline for applications is Friday, 28 August 2026 (5pm)

Apply now

Profiling Metabolite–Protein Interactions for Drug Design
Code Start date Value Contact
3967 23 November 2026 (negotiable) $3000
($250 x 12 weeks)
Dr Yun Shi
Email: yun.shi1@monash.edu
Research profile: Dr Yun Shi
Prerequisites
Please feel free to contact me. Shortlisted students are required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
Additional details
Explore how natural metabolites involved in nucleotide metabolism bind to and regulate disease-relevant proteins. Use biochemical, biophysical, chemical biology, and/or computational methods to identify and characterise interactions, providing starting points for new drug-design strategies.

Please note, project duration is flexible, pending discussion with the supervisor during the selection process.
Applications
The deadline for applications is Friday, 28 August 2026 (5pm)

Apply now

Ligand Discovery for Neurological Disorders
Code Start date Value Contact
3968 23 November 2026 (negotiable) $3000
($250 x 12 weeks)
Dr Yun Shi
Email: yun.shi1@monash.edu
Research profile: Dr Yun Shi
Prerequisites
Please feel free to contact me. Shortlisted students are required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
Additional details
Discover small molecules that regulate NAD+ metabolism and signalling to protect neurons. Use degrader design and synthesis, fragment-based screening, and/or computational modelling to identify ligands for neurological targets such as CD38 or NMNAT and evaluate their therapeutic potential.

Please note, project duration is flexible, pending discussion with the supervisor during the selection process.
Applications
The deadline for applications is Friday, 28 August 2026 (5pm)

Apply now