Large-scale Integration of Microfluidic IntigraTed Sensors (LIMITS)

A recent Environment Agency report has led to eleven British water companies being fined £150 million for uncontrolled dumping of sewerage into waterways. This makes effective water quality testing not only important for water companies and regulators but also for individuals who care about the natural environment and public health.

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to develop a water quality sensor that can be used to detect biological contamination in waterways and marine environments. In particular, a proof-of-concept testing system that is able to carry out automated, longitudinal biological testing for markers of fecal contamination such as E. coli. 

The successful candidate will use semiconductor industry fabrication techniques to design, fabricate and test a lab-on-chip sensing platform with large scale integration of biological, electronic and microfluidic components. This is an interdisciplinary project that will provide the candidate with significant taught and practical skill development in the areas of microfluidic engineering, impedimetric sensor design and biotechnology.

Throughout the PhD, the candidate will work closely with water quality monitoring and analytics company Litmus Technology to ensure relevance of the sensor platform development. The PhD will also include a project placement with Litmus, overseeing water quality testing buoys in an ongoing technology testbed application.

The project is supported by academics from Physics, Marine Engineering, and Chemical Engineering and the BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership ensuring that the candidate graduates with a world-class interdisciplinary scientific skillset.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be made by emailing [Email Address Removed] with:

·        a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees);

·         a covering letter – clearly stating your first choice project, and optionally 2^nd ranked project, as well as including whatever additional information you feel is pertinent to your application; you may wish to indicate, for example, why you are particularly interested in the selected project(s) and at the selected University;

·        copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates;

·        a copy of you IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required);

·        a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE AT https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply. Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

In addition to the above items, please email a completed copy of the Additional Details Form (as a Word document) to [Email Address Removed]. A blank copy of this form can be found at: https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply.

Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed].

The deadline for all applications is 12noon on Monday 9^th January 2023.