About the Project
The University of Bristol and BrisSynBio are excited to offer a PhD studentship supported by the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL). The successful candidate will form a new SynBio/Materials cohort and conduct interdisciplinary research across the Schools of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences and Engineering. The cohort will be members of the new £13.5M Synthetic Biology Research Centre (BrisSynBio), and receive bespoke training through accessing relevant modules offered by the Oxford/Bristol/Warwick EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Synthetic Biology (SynBio CDT), the Advanced Composites Centre for Innovation and Science (ACCIS) and the Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials (BCFN).
The title of the project is:
Bioprinting for creating and growing ceramic armour on-demand
PI: Richard Trask (ACCIS), Co-I: Paul Curnow (Biochemistry/BrisSynBio) and Co-I: Adam Perriman (CMM/BrisSynBio)
Research Environment at the University of Bristol:
The research environment for synthetic biology and functional materials at the University of Bristol is world-leading and benefits from the collaborative tripartite partnership between BrisSynBio, ACCIS and the BCFN. Moreover, this contribution from the DSTL builds on the significant investment made by RCUK in our respective, world-class centres, BrisSynBio and ACCIS. Specifically, BBSRC/EPSRC have funded our £13.5M Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), BrisSynBio, which is one of six UK SBRCs established to lead on and advance synthetic biology research nationally and internationally. BrisSynBio (www.bristol.ac.uk/brissynbio/) is an interdisciplinary research centre based across 3 Faculties (Science, Engineering and Medical & Veterinary Sciences) and 6 Schools (Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering Mathematics and Mathematics, which were all ranked in the top ten of their UOA in REF 2014; and Social Sciences at the University of the West of England, which advises on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in SynBio research. BrisSynBio research is underpinned by £3.3M investment in state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. These include a dedicated Biosuite to support high-throughput microbial cell culture and protein production; facilities for peptide synthesis and biophysics; world-leading microscopy facilities including EM, confocal STED-FLIM-FCS microscopy, and digital holographic microscopy. Similarly, the internationally renowned ACCIS brings together composites and materials science across the University. ACCIS (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/composites/) based in the Faculty of Engineering and has strong links with the Faculties of Science and Medical & Veterinary Sciences. ACCIS is part of the £10M EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites; leads the £6.5M EPSRC programme in High Performance Ductile Composite Technology; and receives major industrial sponsorship from Airbus and Rolls Royce. SynBio CDT (www.synbio-cdt.ac.uk/) and BCFN (www.bcfn.bris.ac.uk) are Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) that bring together researchers from Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Biochemistry, Engineering and Medicine.
How to apply:
Applications are invited immediately for this studentship starting on 1st October 2015. Please make an online application for this scheme at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply. Please select ’Cellular and Molecular Medicine 4yr PhD’ on the ’Programme Choice’ page and enter studentship details, "Synthetic Biology to Produce Novel Materials", in the ’Funding and Research Details’ sections of the form.
Before applying please contact:
Dr. Richard Trask: [Email Address Removed]
Website: http://www.accismultifunctional.com/people/dr-richard-trask/
Interviews will be held in the first week of August 2015
Funding Notes
The PhD scholarship provides support for four years and includes a studentship bursary, PhD registration fees at UK/EU student rate, research expenses, travel and transferable-skills training. International students would need to first secure alternative sources of funding to cover the difference between home and overseas fees for 4 years.
Candidate requirements:
Students with at least an upper second class degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering and Medical Sciences) are invited to apply. Research experience or a Masters degree in a related area will be advantageous.