Infectious disease poses a much larger threat to global health than ever before due to increasing anti-microbial resistance (AMR). To address the multidisciplinary research challenges of the AMR problem, an across campus Mini-Centre for Doctoral Training (Mini-CDT) in ‘Fighting Infectious Disease’ has been established at Loughborough University. Aligning with the UK AMR Strategy, the Mini-CDT focuses on ‘bridging the gap’ for diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for drug-resistant infections through five multidisciplinary projects, each with a fully funded three-year PhD studentship from the Graduate School starting in the academic year of 2016-17.
We invite applications for a PhD studentship in ‘Development of a small scale automated bioreactor platform for AMR product optimisation using a synthetic biology approach’. This will be based in the Centre for Biological Engineering, an internationally recognised multidisciplinary research centre, and will involve a collaboration with Aston University’s School of Life and Health Sciences.
About the research: Synthetic Biology applies engineering principles to the design or redesign of biological parts (bioparts) and cells (chassis), and has the potential to deliver transformative technology that impacts human health. However, development of new synthetic biology products has been hindered by a slow design cycle and poor robustness of synthetic devices. Streamlining the design cycle and integrating engineering capability and translational science are critical for technology development and translation within the field. This project will address these challenges by developing a small-scale parallel culture bioreactor platform to enable systematic design, engineering and optimisation of chassis and bioparts for AMR product development. This will involve demonstration and optimisation of microbial chassis growth in the bioreactor platform using a Design of Experiments-mediated approach. Comparability study of chassis growth, and identification and development of exemplar bioparts for AMR products will be undertaken. The conclusion of the project will see the integration of the optimised bioparts and chassis to develop a scalable optimised translational AMR product bioprocess. There will be opportunities to work with industry and academic experts as well as training and access to facilities and expertise of the Aston University School of Life and Health Sciences.
Qualifications and Funding: The successful candidate will have, or expect to gain, a 1st class or high 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Science or Engineering. Basic understanding in microbiology and molecular biology is essential as are good communication, organisational and experimental skills. A Master’s degree or relevant experience in biological/medical science, bioprocessing, molecular biology, synthetic biology, AMR, bioreactor culture or development will be an advantage. The studentship provides a tax free stipend of £13863 per annum for three years plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. For an international student, the difference in the UK/EU and international tuition fees will need to be met by the student or from other funding sources.
Funding information
- Funding applies to: Open to applicants from a range of countries
Contacts and how to apply
- Academic contact:
- For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Elizabeth Ratcliffe (E.Ratcliffe@lboro.ac.uk).
- Administrative contact and how to apply:
- To apply, please complete the online application using the following link: http://luis.lboro.ac.uk/web_apx/f?p=100:1.
Please submit with the application a cover letter, a CV and a short (1
A4 page maximum) research proposal, including your research interests,
motivation for the project and the relevance of your background to the
project.
The closing date for applications is 23rd November 2015.
Please quote the following reference when applying: GS15MME/M5
- Application deadline:
- 23 November 2015
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