EPSRC CASE PhD Studentship : Nanoscopic methods to visualise antimicrobial attack

Eligibility: Because of funding restrictions, this position is only open to UK citizens and EU/EEA citizens already settled in the UK, with minimum a MSci 2.1 degree (or the international equivalent) in subjects such as physical sciences or engineering and life sciences.

We are inviting applications for a 4-year EPSRC CASE PhD studentship in the areas of nanoscale biophysics and the characterisation of antimicrobials that target bacterial cell walls. The successful candidate will be mainly based within the state-of-the-art London Centre for Nanotechnology (http://www.london-nano.com/) on UCL’s Bloomsbury campus in Central London, with the project carried out in close collaboration with the biotechnology group at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Teddington.

The human immune system has a variety of tools available to combat infections including the degradation of bacterial cell walls by antimicrobial peptides or intricate pore-forming machinery such as the membrane attack complex. Since the bacterial cell wall consists of multiple layers, the mechanisms of such degradation are non-trivial to determine. In this project you will develop atomic force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and nanobody labelling methods to visualise the action of antimicrobial agents in live bacteria in real time with high spatial resolution.

The application of these nanoscopic methods will be extended to a more detailed characterisation of antimicrobial action on composite membranes encasing bacterial cells. Such characterisation will serve to gain a better understanding of how our body regulates its bacterial population and resist bacterial invasions, as well as to guide the design of next-generation antibiotics.

You will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment, interfacing between Prof Hoogenboom’s (http://www.london-nano.com/our-people/academics/bart-hoogenboom) group at the London Centre for Nanotechnology (http://www.london-nano.com/), UCL and Dr Ryadnov’s (http://www.npl.co.uk/biotechnology/research/cbm/people/max-ryadnov) group at the NPL (http://www.npl.co.uk/biotechnology). This project provides an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive experience in antimicrobial design, biophysics and biology and to advance a mechanistic understanding of antimicrobial processes together with the underlying physics of micro-/nanoscopy.

Candidates should have a high grade point average MSci or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physical sciences, engineering, or live sciences. The project involves a significant experimental component and previous research experience relevant to the project is highly desirable.

The stipend is £16,785 p.a. for 4 years, and tuition fees will be covered. Funding is available to UK and EU/EEA candidates, and only if they meet EPSRC (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/) residence criteria.

Suitably qualified and eligible candidates should send their application with cover letter and CV to Prof Bart Hoogenboom ([Email Address Removed]), including two references (at least one of these academic), highlighting academic excellence and previous research experience.