DSTL PhD studentship - Novel Materials for Defence Materials for Strategic Advantage

Value of award: 100% of UK/EU tuition fees and annual living expenses of £14,777 (full award at 2018/19 rate). There is also significant additional funding to cover research costs and travel.

Number of awards: 1

Start date and duration: 1 October 2018

The studentship lasts for 4 years.

Application closing date: 31 August 2018

Overview

Marine biofouling significantly compromises the performance of maritime operations if not managed effectively. Coatings that control fouling on ships’ hulls are less effective for niche areas, such as sea chests. These niches are typically subject to different hydrodynamic forces and widely recognised as potential sites for translocation of invasive species.

AkzoNobel is in partnership with Royal Philips to develop a revolutionary UV-C coating technology for hull fouling prevention (https://www.akzonobel.com/for-media/media-releases-and-features/akzonobel-develops-pioneering-marine-fouling-prevention). This project aims to explore the technology as a means to control fouling of niche areas.

The research will focus on:

- identifying the optimal illumination conditions to achieve fouling control
- the most suitable embedding materials for the LEDs
- the effects of irradiation on target and non-target fouling species.

This will involve a combination of laboratory experimentation with model fouling species (including settlement and adhesion assays, measures of behaviour, and next-generation sequencing for mutation detection) and field studies (design and deployment of test rigs) at a local marina facility managed by AkzoNobel.

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic student for this exciting multidisciplinary project. The successful applicant will join the Marine Biofouling Research Laboratory (https://research.ncl.ac.uk/biofouling/) at Newcastle University and will work closely with colleagues at AkzoNobel research laboratories at Felling, Gateshead, UK.

Sponsor:
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, UK.

Name of supervisor(s)
Professor Tony Clare, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University
Dr Nick Aldred, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University
Dr Kevin Reynolds, AkzoNobel

Eligibility Criteria

You must have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant discipline, for example:

- biological sciences
- chemistry
- environmental science
- marine Science/technology

Further research experience and/or a further qualification such as an MRes or MPhil is advantageous.

The award is available to UK/EU applicants only.

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s postgraduate application system - https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/

Only mandatory fields need to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:

- insert the programme code 8315F in the programme of study section

- select ‘PhD Marine Science’ as the programme of study

- insert the studentship code nes009 in the studentship/partnership reference field

- attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state:
the title of the studentship
quote the studentship code nes009
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 by email to Professor Tony Clare at [Email Address Removed].

Contact

Please email Professor Tony Clare at [Email Address Removed] for further details.