Development of liquid extraction surface analysis mass spectrometry for protein analysis

A fully-funded 3-year PhD studentship is available within the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, in collaboration with the National Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry Imaging (NiCE MSI) at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The studentship will primarily be based at the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Prof Helen Cooper and will include a minimum of 6 months placement at NPL.

The principal aim of the project will be to develop liquid extract surface analysis (LESA) mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) for the analysis of proteins directly from their natural (or actual) environment. Growing evidence suggests in situ protein analysis has groundbreaking roles to play in biomarker discovery, diagnosis & early detection of disease, targeting therapeutics (personalised medicine) and assessment of therapeutic efficacy. A range of biological substrates will be investigated. Alternative in situ mass spectrometry technologies will be evaluated in collaboration with NPL. The project blends analytical chemistry with life sciences research.

The PhD will provide specialist training in advanced mass spectrometry techniques, ambient surface mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry, and liquid chromatography. The PhD will also provide transferable skills acquired through the comprehensive training provided by the Biosciences Graduate Research School.

We seek an exceptional candidate with an undergraduate or Masters degree (can be pending) in chemistry or biochemistry. Start date will be Oct 2015.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof Cooper at [Email Address Removed]. For further details on the research in the Cooper laboratory, including relevant research papers, visit: www.biosciences-labs.bham.ac.uk/cooper.

Please find additional funding text below. For further funding details, please see the ‘Funding’ section.
The School of Biosciences offers a number of UK Research Council (e.g. BBSRC, NERC) PhD studentships each year. Fully funded research council studentships are normally only available to UK nationals (or EU nationals resident in the UK) but part-funded studentships may be available to EU applicants resident outside of the UK. The deadline for applications for research council studentships is 31 January each year.

Each year we also have a number of fully funded Darwin Trust Scholarships. These are provided by the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh and are for non-UK students wishing to undertake a PhD in the general area of Molecular Microbiology. The deadline for this scheme is also 31 January each year.