Chemistry: Fully Funded Swansea University PhD Scholarship: Multimodal nanomaterials for combating antimicrobial resistance

25 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Swansea University

Department

Central

Research Field

Chemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

United Kingdom

Application Deadline

7 Feb 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Funding providers: Swansea University

Subject areas: Chemistry, nanomedicine, Antimicrobials

Project start date: 

• 1 April 2024 (Enrolment open from mid–March)
• 1 July 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-June) 

Project supervisors: 

• Dr Martin Gill ([email protected] ) 
• Professor Juan Mareque-Rivas 
• Dr Sumati Bhatia

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemistry

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description: 

Applications are invited to undertake an exciting interdisciplinary research project that combines bioinorganic chemistry and nanomedicine to combat the significant challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our vision is to develop a chemical approach to expand the repertoire of antibiotics and inhibit a novel form of cell death (known as ferroptosis) that can disrupt the pathogenic potential and promote infection clearance by the immune system. 

This project will utilise dual imaging/therapeutic “theranostics” combined with nanomaterials that activate the immune system and modulate ferroptosis. Integration of these agents within polymer-based flexible glycosylated nanogels will allow encapsulating isolated candidate molecules to selectively deliver the therapeutic contents to trigger a multi-mode drug action against the target pathogen. Ultimately, this can achieve high anti-microbial activity and selectivity, whilst the distinct and dual or even triple mechanism of action can combat drug resistance, with the low impact on human cells translating to a favourable safety profile. Recent publications from the supervisory team include doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c11111 , doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00408 , doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2020.101499 . 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate with research interests in the chemistry/life science interface. The candidate should have a good undergraduate or master’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.  

This project will take place in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Swansea University (SU) which provides state-of-the-art equipment for small molecule synthesis and characterisation, nanoparticle formulation, and nanogel synthesis. The synthesized nanosystems will be characterized in our modern and well-equipped labs, and in The Advanced Imaging of Materials (AIM) Facility and Centre for NanoHealth (CNH). The efficacy of these materials will be assessed against different bacterial strains in the Institute of Life Sciences at Swansea University and with external collaborators. A comprehensive training program will be provided by an interdisciplinary supervisory team with complementary interests and expertise in chemical biology and drug-protein/nucleic acid interactions (Dr Gill), inorganic chemistry and nanomedicine (Professor Mareque-Rivas), and polymer synthesis and organic chemistry (Dr Bhatia). Training in all techniques will be provided along with mentorship and personal development. 

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in chemistry or a related subject, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ in chemistry or a related subject (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship (i.e. a student who is eligible to pay the UK rate of tuition fees) but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Specific Requirements

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations . 

Additional Information
Benefits

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £18,622 for 2023/24).

Additional research expenses will also be available.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in chemistry or a related subject, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ in chemistry or a related subject (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship (i.e. a student who is eligible to pay the UK rate of tuition fees) but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations . 

Selection process

Please visit our website for more information.

Website for additional job details

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/chemistry-su-phd-m…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Swansea University

Country

United Kingdom

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/chemistry-su-phd-m…

Contact

State/Province

Swansea

City

Swansea

Website

http://www.swansea.ac.uk

Street

Singleton Park

Postal Code

SA2 8PP

STATUS: EXPIRED