PhD Studentship - Developing molecular probes and techniques that underpin innovation in sustainable enzyme-based household cleaning products

Number of awards:

1

Start date and duration:

September 2018 for 4 years.

Overview:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a fully funded PhD position within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University. The project will give experience in the development and use of molecular probes to provide both qualitative observations and quantitative data. Qualitative techniques include fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Quantitative methods include high-throughput robotically printed microarrays for biopolymer fingerprinting of the complex and diverse multi-molecule systems being studied. The project will also give experience in the development of enzyme candidate libraries to target the substrates identified, and several levels of application tests in P and G’s laboratories.

Sponsor:

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (https://epsrc.ukri.org/) and Procter and Gamble (https://www.pg.co.uk/)

Name of supervisor(s):

Professor William Willats (https://bit.ly/2SYitgH) (Newcastle University) (https://bit.ly/2HhZ5K8)

Dr Neil Lant (Procter and Gamble, Newcastle Innovation Centre)

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants in possession of, or expecting to receive, at least a 2:1 U.K. degree or equivalent, relating to biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, chemistry or any related discipline are encouraged to apply.

This studentship is available to UK applicants and EU applicants with settled status in the UK, meaning they have no restrictions on how long they can stay. All eligible applicants must also have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the studentship, and not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education.

How to apply:

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’ (https://bit.ly/2FuqNSf).

All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk must to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:
•insert the programme code 8020F in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD Biology (full time) – Biological Sciences’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code NES013 in the studentship/partnership reference field
•attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code NES013 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
•attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications
•You should also send your CV (including university grades/predicted grades, together with the names and contact details of two referees) to [Email Address Removed].