PhD Studentship: Exploring Hydrogel-Based Bioaerosol Sensing

Overview

• Qualification type: PhD
• Subject area: Exploring hydrogel-based bioaerosol sensing
• Location/Campus: College Lane Campus, Hatfield
• Start date: March 2025
• Closing application date: 19 January 2025
• Duration: 3.5 years, full-time

Project outline

This experimental project aims to explore the potential of hydrogels in biosensing applications, focusing on health monitoring devices and functional materials. Hydrogels are promising for immobilising biomolecules and can be used as responsive materials. They can resist protein and cell adhesion, making them suitable for a wide range of biosensing applications. The project will investigate the use of hydrogel materials for detecting low molecular weight molecules, proteins, bacteria, and viruses in solutions. It will combine polymer chemistry, biochemistry, and engineering to explore hydrogel design, suitable assay types and strategies for inclusion, and performance during use. Despite the common use of hydrogels in detecting biomarkers, chemicals, or pharmaceuticals, their use in biosensing bacteria or viruses is less explored, and this project aims to fill that gap. The project is supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

Supervisors

• Principal Supervisor name & email: Dr Nikolay Dimov,
• Supervisory Team name & email: Dr Loic Coudron, Prof Ian Johnston
• External supervisor Dr Michael Cook at UCL.
• External Industrial support from Dstl.

Entry requirements

Essential

• A first or upper-second-class degree in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Engineering, Chemistry or a relevant physical or natural sciences-related subject.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage time independently to meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
• Must be a UK national and qualify for home fees status.
• Highly self-motivated to pursue a full-time research programme.
• Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Well organised and able to work independently.

Desirable (non-essential)

• A Masters (MSc/MEng) degree or experience relevant to the research project.
• Experience with experimental methods in science or engineering.
• A desire to be part of a team exploring multidisciplinary questions in an emerging area of science and engineering.

Eligibility

The studentship is only open to UK nationals and offers will be subject to security checks by Dstl.

How to apply

Applicants should email the following documents:

• A completed application form
• Two academic references. Applicants should request their referees to send references directly to the Doctoral College
• Copies of qualification certificates and transcripts
• Certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

Please send completed applications via email to the Doctoral College using the following format in the email subject line: “Exploring hydrogel-based bioaerosol sensing”.

• Interviews will take place in early September.
• For informal enquires please email Dr Nikolay Dimov

Funding information

The successful candidate will receive a tax-free annual stipend of £19,237 and a fee waiver.