Synthetic Chemistry PhD Studentship in the EPSRC IRC in Multiplexed “Touch and Tell” Optical Molecular Sensing and Imaging

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) have sponsored an £11.5M Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration (IRC) between the Universities of Edinburgh (UoE) Bath (UoB) and Heriot Watt (HWU).

The EPSRC Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration in Multiplexed ’Touch and Tell’ Optical Molecular Sensing and Imaging’ is a power-house of ‘fibre-based’ sensing and imaging expertise and has a PhD studentship available in the area of synthetic chemistry and optical medical imaging.

We are looking to recruit a high-calibre postgraduate student to join this dynamic multi-disciplinary, world-class team delivering major benefits for patient care.

The IRC (the Bradley research group) is now offering a 3-year PhD Studentship in the area of Chemical Probes for Fluorescence imaging. The project will be based in the School of Chemistry and the candidate will require skills in chemical synthesis and will work on the development of fluorescent imaging probes (synthesis of small molecules, peptides, fluorophores etc.). The applicant must have a keen interest in applying these in a biomedical setting. Training will be provided to enable probes to be developed/synthesised to clinical grade in our in-house GMP facilities. For recent papers see: A Labelled-Ubiquicidin Antimicrobial Peptide for Immediate In Situ Optical Detection of Live Bacteria in Human Alveolar Lung Tissue, Chem. Sci. 2015,6, 6971-6979 and Optical molecular imaging of lysyl oxidase activity – detection of active fibrogenesis in human lung tissue, Chem. Sci. 2015,6, 4946-4953 for further details.

Application Process

To apply please submit a cover letter stating clearly why you are interested in applying for an IRC studentship, a full up-to-date C.V. (including vacation address) and names and addresses of two academic referees to the e-mail or postal address given below by 30 June 2017.


Dr. Annamaria Lilienkampf ([Email Address Removed])
Dr Anne Moore ([Email Address Removed])

PLEASE NOTE: Funding is available only to EU/UK students who satisfy RCUK residency rules (http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/). The 36-month PhD studentship (tuition fees & stipend) is available to start 1st September 2017. The stipend rate for 2017–18 is £14,510 per annum.

Applicants are expected to have or are soon to receive a BSc (Hons) IIi or higher in a related field.