VACANCY INFORMATION
The Department of Chemical Engineering at UCL (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemical-engineering/) is one of the top research and teaching departments in the UK, with world-class standing. The department offers several undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has an extensive research portfolio across a wealth of areas, from the molecular scale to the scale of industrial plants. It hosts 35 academics undertaking collaborative, ground-breaking research, focused on solving many of the grand challenges for society.
The research will be conducted in the Manufacturing Futures Laboratory (MFL) (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/manufacturing-futures-lab/) at UCL East, UCL’s new campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London. The MFL is be an innovative facility that brings together core expertise from several departments, enabling the development of new strategic research, focused on knowledge-based manufacturing to deliver the sustainable products and processes of the future.
The post is fully funded for 3.5 years starting October 2023. The post-holder will have the opportunity to present results at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals of high international standing, as well as interacting with colleagues at UCL and other institutions to disseminate the work.
STUDENTSHIP DESCRIPTION
Biopolymers have the ability to generate functional materials in Nature with remarkable mechanical, structural, or functional properties. Thus, biopolymers are gaining increasing attention as replacements of fossil-based polymers to manufacture human-made functional materials. Scientists are intensively researching biopolymers harvested from natural sources (e.g., silk, collagen, cellulose, or chitin), but developments in biotechnology are also making it increasingly possible to engineer new recombinant protein-based biopolymers with controlled sequences and produced using microbial bioprocesses.
In this experimental project you will develop functional materials from natural and/or recombinant protein biopolymers. Specifically, you will study the relationships between biopolymer sequence and the mechanical and structural properties of the materials developed from them. You will also seek to expand the properties of protein-based materials by combining them with (i) microorganisms to create living materials; or (ii) biobased carbons obtained from the conversion of biomass to create composite materials. The aim is to invent new materials with tailored nanostructures, controlled interfacial chemistry, and advanced physicochemical or biological functionalities that can interact with the environment.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will have completed or be close to completing a first-class degree at the MEng or MSc level in Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline. The successful candidate will be a motivated student, with an interest in the areas of biomaterials, sustainability, and biomanufacturing.
The ability to work independently while being a productive member in a collaborative team, within the context of a dynamic research field and a demanding environment, is a must. Demonstrable prior experience with material characterisation, Python coding, and bioprocess engineering tools are desirable, but not necessary requirements.
ELIGIBILITY
First-class degree at the MEng or MSc level is required.
Funds are only available to cover UK-equivalent fees.
Applications should be submitted through: https://evision.ucl.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RRDCENSING01&code2=0035
Please nominate Dr Diego Lopez Barreiro as supervisor and include a statement of interest.
For informal enquiries please contact Dr Diego Lopez Barreiro at: [Email Address Removed] .
For further information on the MPhil/PhD course as well as the recruitment and selection process, please click on the link below:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemical-engineering/study/mphilphd
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