We seek a creative, independent, PhD student to work on a collaborative project jointly supervised by Dr Andrew Surman (Department of Chemistry) and Dr Rafael T. M. de Rosales (Department of Imaging Chemistry). The project will be based between the two research groups (Trinity Street and St Thomas’s Hospital), undertaking lab work in both. The start date is 1st October 2021.
Metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) are an emerging class of gel materials, readily self-assembled by mixing a range of polyphenols (like tannic acid – common in tea) and metal cations in water, forming a 3D crosslinked network. MPN’s simple synthesis, modularity (mixed components readily added in self-assembly), and ability to form particles/films is promising for biomedical applications, including imaging and drug delivery.
This PhD project will explore MPN particles as modular platforms for imaging/theranostic applications. In particular, their suitability to incorporate gallium radionuclides, along with other functionality: establishing robust MPN synthesis (gallium loading, stability, particle formation & control), and developing applications (loading w/therapeutics). Recent reports show flow synthesis to be promising, and this is very suitable for imaging agents (where fast simple synthesis of agents with short half lives is important), so this will be an important tool.
This interdisciplinary project encompasses synthesis, analysis, and in vitro/vivo application of materials. Since the project will employ flow synthesis, an interest in automation/scripting and “making” is desirable (though, provided a desire to learn, formal experience here is not a requirement).
Eligibility criteria
Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements for Home Fee status will be eligible to apply for this project. Home students will be eligible for a full UKRI award, including fees and stipend, if they satisfy the UKRI criteria below, including residency requirements. To be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
a) be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
b) have settled status, or
c) have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
d) have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
Applicable level of study: Postgraduate research
Prospective candidates should have a 1st or 2:1 M-level qualification in Chemistry, or a related programme (providing skills appropriate to working safely in a wet chemistry lab).
Preference will be given to candidates with a background conducive to multidisciplinary research, taking in synthesis, analysis, and data analysis. Research experience, lab skills, interest in relevant areas (soft materials, chemistry-biology interface, medical imaging, inorganic chemistry), and experience of lab automation & programming/scripting, would all be valued (but not absolute requirements), as will a track-record of problem-solving, independence, and perseverance in any sphere. We welcome eligible applicants from any personal background, who are pleased to join diverse friendly research groups.
Application process
The Application deadline is 5th July 2021.
Please submit an application for the Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time) programme using the King’s Apply system. Please include the following with your application:
a) A PDF copy of your CV should be uploaded to the Employment History section.
b) A 500-word personal statement outlining your motivation for undertaking postgraduate research should be uploaded to the Supporting statement section.
Funding information: Please choose Option 5 “I am applying for a funding award or scholarship administered by King’s College London” and under “Award Scheme Code or Name” enter BMEIS_DTP_ASRT. Failing to include this code might result in you not being considered for for this funding.
Informal email enquiries from interested students to the supervisors are encouraged:
Dr Andrew Surman: [Email Address Removed]
Dr Rafael Torres: [Email Address Removed]
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