PhD Studentship in Computational Synthetic Biology – Design of synthetic genetic circuits to enhance electron transfer in bacteria for renewable energy production

Number of awards:

1

Start date and duration:

September 2018 for 4 years.

Overview:

The development of clean and renewable energy sources is a global research priority. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) exploit the normal metabolic activities of bacteria to generate renewable electricity. Nevertheless, current MFCs are not (yet) effective energy sources, mainly due to very low current produced by the wild-type (unmodified) bacteria. An encouraging, yet challenging, way to address this problem is based on using engineered bacteria with enhanced electron transfer capabilities.

This project is theoretical. It involves mathematical modelling, computational simulations and data analysis. However, successful predictions will be experimentally validated by co-workers.

You will join the Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Biosystems (ICOS) research group, a team with a total of >55 members including computer scientists, engineers, biochemists, physicists and molecular biologists – all of which are working at the interface of biology and computing. In addition, you will join the Centre for Synthetic Biology and the Bioeconomy (CSBB) (https://bitly.im/bbGHW), which brings together a far-reaching multidisciplinary community across all Newcastle University’s faculties.

Further project details can be found here at https://bitly.im/dWjqn.

Sponsor:

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/)

Name of supervisor(s)

Dr Angel Goni-Moreno (https://bitly.im/xT5QC), School of Computing (https://bitly.im/jVkT4)
Dr Elizabeth Heidrich (https://bitly.im/DKGM3), School of Engineering (https://bitly.im/dYHzq)
Professor Natalio Krasnogor (https://bitly.im/nKPl4), School of Computing (https://bitly.im/jVkT4)

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates should have a strong computer science, mathematics or physics background and a keen interest in developing and applying computational techniques to Synthetic Biology. An excellent degree in related subjects is expected. Knowledge of molecular biology and bacterial metabolism is a bonus.

The studentships are open to applicants satisfying EPSRC home/UK or EU fee criteria, and are eligible for home fees. EU candidates may only be available for a partial award.

English language skills (if English is not your native language): an overall score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with individual scores of 6.0 in each of the four sub-skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening.

How to apply:

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’ (https://bitly.im/IJT9p).

All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk must to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:

•insert the programme code 8050F in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD Computer Science FT (Computing Science)’ as the programme of study insert the studentship code COMP004 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 COMP004 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 by e-mail to [Email Address Removed].

Contact:

Informal emai ([Email Address Removed])l enquiries to Dr Angel Goñi-Moreno (https://bitly.im/xT5QC) are strongly encouraged.