Genomic and Proteomics-Based Characterisation of Microalgal Cell Factories

Microalgae have generated increasing interest as microbial cell factories to produce proteins, pigments, therapeutics, and nutraceuticals. This is because they are solar-powered and can fix CO₂ making them a sustainable alternative to competitive systems. In the Pandhal Lab, we have generated engineered strains that have enhanced efficiency for a variety of products. In this PhD, these cellular characteristics will be investigated to find the fundamental changes in the molecular machinery that has enabled increased productivity. This will uncover mechanisms that can be translated to other strains as well as provide new information into how these promising sustainable cell factories function.

The successful candidate will receive training in algal biotechnology, including systems/molecular biology. They will also benefit from expertise in design and analysis of experimental data as well as ‘omics technologies at the forefront of biomanufacturing.

Biological engineering is one of the fastest growing employment sectors and many of Dr. Pandhal’s PhD graduates have found employment in the analytical field through to research and development in biotechnology/biopharmaceutical/bioanalytical industries.

For more insight into the research undertaken in Dr. Pandhal’s group and the team, see the group website at www.pandhalresearchgroup.co.uk.

Please see this link for information on how to apply: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cbe/postgraduate/phd/how-apply. Please include the name of your proposed supervisor and the title of the PhD project within your application.

Applicants should have a first-class or upper second class 2(i) honors degree in biological/chemical engineering, chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology or related discipline. The student is expected to have an interest in biological solutions to industrial problems and an understanding of algal biotechnology would be advantageous but not essential, as training will be provided. Working knowledge at the interface of chemistry and biology would be desirable, as well as an understanding of genomics and/or proteomics. If English is not your first language then you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) average of 6.5 or above with at least 6.0 in each component, or equivalent. Please see this link for further information: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/apply/english-language.

Please contact Dr. Pandhal via j.pandhal@sheffield.ac.uk if interested in this project.