Development of oxidoreductase enzymes for consumer product applications (Advert Reference: FAC17/APP/BLACK)

Applicants are invited for this 4 year PhD studentship, sponsored by the EPSRC and Proctor & Gamble.

Enzymes are already used in many consumer products including laundry and dishwashing detergents, toothpastes, mouthwashes and skin care products. Enzymes are appealing ingredients as they are catalytic, space-efficient, and selective in action, and in some cases can enable replacement of less sustainable materials such as petrochemicals. However, only a few enzyme classes have been successfully commercialised in consumer products; there are many opportunities to broaden the role of enzymes in existing products and innovate new products behind discovery of novel enzymes.

The project is focused on the discovery of novel oxidoreductase enzymes in consumer products, and will give ‘end to end’ experience in the discovery of novel enzyme candidates from in-house multi-genomes right through to application testing of lead technology in the laboratories of P&G. Techniques used will include use of novel bioinformatics tools for advanced high-throughput mining, gene amplification/synthesis, gene cloning and protein expression, and mutagenesis studies to understand structure-function relationships and optimise efficacy (e.g. increase stability, productivity, enzyme efficiency etc).

Full training in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will be an integral part of this multidisciplinary PhD. As this is an Industrial CASE Studentship the student will also spend between 3-6 months undertaking an industrial placement at P&G’s Newcastle Innovation Centre, further enhancing their training.

PhD Supervisors: Professor Gary W Black (Northumbria University), Professor J Grant Burgess (Newcastle University) and Dr Neil Lant (P&G). Further information: www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/our-staff/b/gary-black/

Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities) relating to molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry or any related discipline are encouraged to apply.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.

Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships from all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.

Start Date: October 2017 (negotiable).