Multifunctional medical devices for point-of-care diagnostics

The Global Burden of Disease Report indicated that globally life expectancy increased by more than 11 years between 1970 and 2010, however life expectancies of people born in low- and middle- income countries showed to be consistently shorter when compared to people born in high-income countries. The wealth and therefore the ability to invest in healthcare is one of the reasons for this disparity, and is it reported that low-income and middle-income countries account for 80% of the world’s infectious diseases, but <20% of the global expenditure on health. The work in this project will seek to bridge this huge gap by providing affordable, easy-to-access and easy-to-use devices so the resource can get to where it needs to be. One way that would significantly contribute to tackling the imbalance is to develop point-of-care devices that can detect, treat and indicate when infectious wounds are cleared from the body. This project aims to do exactly that, it will utilise advances in biosensor technology, materials engineering, nanomaterials chemistry and biomarker detection and transport to develop point-of-care devices that effectively detect, treat and tell. It will aim to empower patients and tailor treatments to patient need. The devices will be easy to use and disposable so that patients can reliably discontinue treatment once fully recovered.

This exciting PhD project has a strong multidisciplinary nature and the candidate should have a strong interest in materials engineering, membrane science and biomedical engineering. Hands-on training will be provided as appropriate to the project including biomaterials development and characterisation, material modification/ functionalisation, 3D printing, fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Science and Engineering applicants will ideally have graduated (or be due to graduate) with a first or upper second class degree. Any English language requirements must be met at the deadline for applications.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Hannah Leese ([Email Address Removed])

Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Please ensure that you state the full project title and lead supervisor name on the application form.

https://samis.bath.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUCE-FP01&code2=0013

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found here:

http://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-study/

Anticipated start date: 30 September 2019