PhD Studentship in Chemical Engineering New Approaches for in vivo and in silico Modelling of the Oral Microbiome

Number of awards:
1

Start date and duration:
September 2018 for 4 years.

Application closing date:
Prompt application is advised as this post is only available until a suitable candidate is appointed.

Overview:
We are looking for a dynamic, ambitious research student to work with us on an exciting project: understanding and protecting the human microbiome.

The personal care industry is a global multibillion pound business that brings wellbeing to millions of customers across the globe. Their products and services impinge directly on one of the most fascinating microbial systems, the human microbiome.

Direct experimentation on microbiome can be successfully mimicked in biofilm bioreactors or by appropriate modelling. This project aims to develop new in vitro (i.e., in a CDC bioreactor) and in silico modelling approaches (e.g., individual based modelling) to understand and quantify functions underpinning the dynamics of colonisation in the oral microbiome to estimate when invasion by pathogenic microorganisms is possible.

Sponsor:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (https://epsrc.ukri.org/). Industrial partner: Unilever (https://www.unilever.com/).

Name of supervisor(s):
Dr Dana Ofiţeru (https://bit.ly/2Ms6qph) and Professor Thomas P Curtis (https://bit.ly/2y9zAWX), School of Engineering (https://bit.ly/2HOxoDE).

Eligibility Criteria:
You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in (bio)chemical engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, or a related subject. You will require enthusiasm, initiative and an ability to undertake both experimental and modelling research.

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/2HPu5fx).

You will need to:

insert the programme code 8030F in the programme of study section
select ‘PhD Chemical Engineering (full time) – Chemical Engineering’ as the programme of study
insert the studentship code ENG031 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 ENG031 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 covering letter and CV to Dr Dana Ofiteru or Professor Thomas P Curtis by email.