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Anniversary Fellow - University of Birmingham - 102908

Closing date: 12 January 2025

In 2025, we will celebrate 125 years of University status by Royal Charter. One of the ways we are celebrating this 125th anniversary is by significantly investing in the future by appointing 100 new Anniversary Fellows.

Ranked in the top 100 universities globally, we are part of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities.

We are looking for diverse talent from across the world to help us make new discoveries and tackle global challenges. You can look forward to a sector leading package and relocation assistance, so you can make the vibrant city of Birmingham your new home.

Applications are welcome from candidates in the following disciplines. For more information on priority areas please visit the 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs website.

Anniversary Chair - University of Birmingham - 102904

Closing date: Our recruitment will remain open until 2025.

In 2025, we will celebrate 125 years of University status by Royal Charter. One of the ways we are celebrating this important milestone is by making a significant investment in our research and appointing 25 new Anniversary Chairs.

As a leader in your field, with a track record of exemplary research, this permanent appointment will offer you sustained and strategic focus on advancing your research.

We’re looking for diverse talent from across the world to help us make new discoveries and tackle global challenges. You will work with the brightest minds at the forefront of different subject areas to tackle the most pressing global challenges, and the opportunity to be mentored and supported by senior leaders at the University and beyond, and to collaborate with our strong networks of partners.

You will be critical in driving the excellence of our research to make an even greater difference to the world around us. Join us as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, and be part of our ambitious, exciting future.

Our inclusive and intellectually challenging education programmes are underpinned by cutting-edge knowledge and taught by leading researchers to encourage independent thinking and develop the next generation of leaders, innovators and problem-solvers. In this role you will contribute to teaching and learning, and management and administration.

PhD: Smart Switchable Sensors for On-demand Biosensing and Cell Therapy Monitoring

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisor: Professor Paula Mendes (The Mendes group)

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / UK/EU Students

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

This interdisciplinary project aims to develop smart switchable biosensors for real-time monitoring of cell-secreted, or bioreactor supplemented, cytokine biomarkers. For the first time, we aim to combine this novel switchable technology with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS), enabling on-demand electrochemical biosensing on-chip. Conceptually different from traditional biosensors where the surface immobilised recognition elements act as passive receptors, we introduce nature inspired surfaces with the unique ability to actively manipulate single-domain antibodies ie. nanobodies, conferring antigen-nanobody binding control.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Professor Paula M Mendes.

PhD: Sustainable processes – reducing single use plastics in healthcare

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisor: Dr Anita Ghag

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / UK/EU Students

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

This multidimensional project aims to look at the impact of sterilisation on medical plastic waste and work with a larger project team to develop technologies and processes which could eliminate single use plastics, and instead allow them to be used multiple times, not only reducing cost to the NHS but also reducing the environmental burden of plastic waste.

We are seeking a passionate PhD candidate to contribute to a highly translational project focused on assessing the impact of sterilisation on the usability of medical plastic waste and in turn looking at ways in which it could be assessed within healthcare settings. This project is part of a larger national project which aims to revolutionise the way in which medical plastic waste is handled in the future.

PhD: Developing a multi-modal capsule for grading inflammation severity

Department: Engineering, Supervisor: Dr Gerard Cummins

Application Deadline: 1 February 2025

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Networks are joint research and training projects funded by the European Union. Funding is provided for doctoral candidates from both inside and outside Europe to carry out individual project work in a European country other than their own. The Intelli-Ingest MSCA Doctoral Networks is made up of 4 beneficiaries and 6 associated partners, all coordinated by the Biorobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy.

This project will develop an ingestible electronic capsule capable of measuring the electrical impedance of surrounding intestinal tissue and imaging the mucosal surface. The capsule will process the sensing and imaging data to detect and grade the severity of inflammatory bowel disease using edge computing and machine learning. This work will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Dimitris Iakovidis of the University of Thessaly, Greece.

PhD: Printed ingestible sensors and systems for sustainability

Department: Engineering, Supervisor: Dr Gerard Cummins

Application Deadline: 1 February 2025

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Networks are joint research and training projects funded by the European Union. Funding is provided for doctoral candidates from both inside and outside Europe to carry out individual project work in a European country other than their own. The Intelli-Ingest MSCA Doctoral Networks is made up of 4 beneficiaries and 6 associated partners, all coordinated by the Biorobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy.

This project involves addressing the issue of sustainability with ingestible devices. Ingestible devices are commonly constructed from embedded electronic systems encased in a rigid plastic shell. Typically, these are single-use medical devices that are flushed away after use, which has environmental implications. This project will investigate different manufacturing methods, primarily focusing on printing technologies, to create more sustainable approaches to ingestible devices with similar functionality. This will involve creating one or more proof-of-concept devices containing simple sensing modalities, some electronic processing, and active actuation.

PhD: Flexible triboelectric energy nanogenerators for sustainable ingestible devices

Department: Engineering, Supervisor: Dr Gerard Cummins

Application Deadline: 1 February 2025

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Networks are joint research and training projects funded by the European Union. Funding is provided for doctoral candidates from both inside and outside Europe to carry out individual project work in a European country other than their own. The Intelli-Ingest MSCA Doctoral Networks is made up of 4 beneficiaries and 6 associated partners, all coordinated by the Biorobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy.

This project will investigate the potential of triboelectric energy harvesting as an alternative to single-use batteries for powering ingestible devices by intestinal contact forces generated during peristalsis. This work will inform the design of future low-powered electronic ingestibles and provide guidance on the relationship between device size, intestinal contact forces, and average power. In addition to sustainability benefits, removing the batteries from CE would enable smaller devices, reducing the risk of device retention (2% of users) and opening up ingestibles to a wider population. The energy harvesting system will be used to power a commercially available low-power electronic system.

PhD: Development of Biocompatible 3D-Printed Artificial Blood Vessels through Multidimensional Approaches

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisor: Dr Anita Ghag

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / UK/EU Students

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

We are seeking a passionate PhD candidate to contribute to a highly translational project focused on the development of biocompatible artificial blood vessels using advanced 3D printing technologies. This multidimensional research initiative aims to bridge the gap between synthetic materials and living tissues, creating new possibilities for patient-specific vascular grafts.

An integrated biomanufactory and testing platform for studying advanced biosystems in non-ideal environments

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisors: Dr Alexandra Iordachescu, Dr C Windows-Yule

Application deadline: 16 January 2025

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / Worldwide Students

Engineered bioactive polymers (containing living matter or acellular) are the next generation of industrial materials, due to their ability to self-regulate, self-heal and process energy. These engineered biosystems, which hold promise for many regenerative medical interventions, are being increasingly used for tissue deterioration, mitigating trauma and enhancing healing. They can address additional healthcare challenges (such as the global shortage of transplantation tissue), by acting as substitutes which can simultaneously restore the biomechanics of an affected site and the original biochemistry; therefore, minimising rejection and enhancing integration with surrounding tissues.

These bioengineered constructs are, however, inherently complex and composed of multiple phases and states, which can undergo significant morphing when exposed to minor fluctuations in the physiological conditions they were designed for. These can include the harsh immunological microenvironment in the body following implantation or during pathologies; or the physical environment when manipulated in non-ideal climates (in emergency medicine, in space or in natural disaster/climate-change affected areas).

There is a lack of capabilities that can evaluate and predict the dynamics of engineered biosystems in these extreme conditions (biological or physical) – these properties are essential for their bioactivity. Such a tool could help with validation, improving manufacture and exploiting the environmental conditions to generate biological constructs with enhanced functionalities and greater stability. Importantly, it would provide a tool to study the interaction of biopolymers with living matter (i.e. human cells) which is important for producing advanced hybrid systems with clinical potential.

At the University of Birmingham, we pioneered several bioengineered models (such as bone organoids [1] and long-term organotypic culture [2]) that can be employed to study both pathological states and the biological response to extreme environments (e.g. simulated microgravity [1]). These biopolymer-based, ‘humanised’ systems, based on 3Rs approaches, were designed also for applications in regenerative medicine by combining typically used surgical reconstruction ceramics and haemostatic agents.

We are looking to develop a new technology that will allow us to concomitantly produce and assess the real-time environmental responses of these/similar biosystems, using state-of-the-art physico-chemical analysis. This apparatus will also allow us to determine the biomaterial effects on cellular physiology, viability and behaviour.

The project will combine tissue engineering and culture techniques with remotely-controlled manufacturing elements and an array of testing units that will assess the kinetics and microstructure of these systems in ideal and non-ideal conditions. The sample microenvironment will be manipulated using a series of biochemical, thermal, vibration-induced and simulated microgravity capabilities. Subsequently, these systems will be assessed in terms of their bioregenerative potential using advanced in-vitro models (organotypic and multi-cellular).

The work will combine optical and mechanical diagnostics with in-depth biochemical characterisation to examine the morphological and biological responses (e.g. high resolution cell microscopy, molecular/genetic analysis, particle tracking analysis, rheology, uXRF, uCT, XRD, spectroscopy). The project will also include CFD and coupled CFD-DEM simulations to allow the exploration of a broader and denser parameter space than is accessible through the experiment alone.

This project would suit a candidate with a background in (bio)physics, chemical/mechanical engineering or mechatronics. Experience in programming and computer modelling is also desirable. Full training will be provided in all areas, including the handling of biological components and the generation of biological models.

Efflux pumps for optimising bioproduction from renewable feedstocks

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisors: Professor Tim Overton

Application deadline: 16 January 2025

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / Worldwide Students

Petrochemical feedstocks derived from crude oil are the basis of many of the materials and products that we use every day, from plastics to fuels. However, these feedstocks and processes are unsustainable and contribute to climate change. Therefore, there is currently a major shift globally to biological processes using renewable feedstocks. These feedstocks and processes increase sustainability and decrease carbon footprint, both critical for combating climate change and building a circular economy.

Bacteria have a major part to play in this drive for sustainability, and many chemicals and products previously made from crude oil-derived feedstocks using chemical processes are now made by bacteria from green feedstocks [Yang et al., 2021]. Bacteria constantly adapt to their environment and respond to stresses and toxic compounds that they encounter. A common mechanism that protects bacteria against a range of toxic molecules (such as organic solvents and antibiotics) are efflux pumps, molecular machines that pump such molecules out of the cell. It is known that efflux pumps make bacteria more tolerant to a range of solvents and other chemicals used in industrial processes [Tsukagoshi, 2000].

We have recently found that there is a fundamental link between the way in which bacteria generate energy (needed for growth, cellular functions, and product generation) and efflux pumps (required for removing harmful chemicals) [Whittle et al. 2024]. Energy is needed to drive efflux pumps, but we have discovered that the energy level within the cell is responsible for regulating fundamental behaviours, and that efflux pumps impact on these behaviours. We think that this is very important in understanding how bacteria are able to survive in industrial processes and we can maximise product yields.

The main research questions are:

• How is the energy state of the cell linked to efflux pumps?
• How is this link regulated? What are the sensors and regulators involved in this process?
• How does the energy state of the cell impact on organic solvent tolerance?
• How can we use this link to improve bacterial processes that generate useful compounds?

We will use a combination of approaches, grounded in single-cell analysis of bacteria using flow cytometry and microscopy that we have previously developed [Whittle et al. 2019]. This will allow us to measure how individual bacteria respond to stresses, regulate their energy state, and control efflux pumps. We will also use a variety of molecular biology methods to genetically modify bacteria in order to better understand mechanisms of energy metabolism, efflux, organic solvent tolerance, and their regulation.

This interdisciplinary project will be supervised by Dr Tim Overton (School of Chemical Engineering), an expert on single-cell analysis of bacteria, bacterial physiology, and bioprocessing, and Professor Jessica Blair (Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes), an expert on bacterial efflux pumps and antimicrobial resistance.

Funding notes:

This project is part of the BBSRC-funded MIBTP (Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership) scheme. Our studentships offer a comprehensive support package, including fees (the cost of the UK fee rate), a tax-free annual stipend, a travel and conference budget, a generous consumables budget, and the use of a MacBook Pro for the duration of the programme.

Using microencapsulation to study biofilm formation

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisors: Dr David Bassett & Professor Tim Overton

Application deadline: 31 May 2025

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / Worldwide Students

Most bacteria in nature live in biofilms, communities that are usually attached to solid surfaces and protected by a self-produced matrix of polymer molecules. Biofilms are frequently more resistant to a range of antibiotics and toxic compounds and are very difficult to remove from surfaces. For these reasons, biofilms represent a massive problem for humanity, for example causing ~80% of infections, fouling pipes, and increasing fuel usage on ships. The economic impact of biofilms has recently been estimated to be ~ US$4000 billion per year, as well as health and societal impacts (Cámara et al., 2022). The traditional model of biofilm formation on a solid surface comprises five stages: initial (reversible) attachment; irreversible attachment; proliferation and microcolony formation; maturation; and dispersion (Sauer et al., 2002). This developmental pathway is tightly regulated and depends upon external cues and stimuli, transcriptional factors, and second messengers such as cyclc di-GMP. In most organisms, these processes are not fully understood; even in the best-studied biofilm-forming organisms (eg Pseudomonas aeruginosa), there are still gaps in understanding.

Key questions include:

• How is primary adhesion of bacteria to solid surfaces mediated?
• How do bacteria sense surface attachment and switch from a planktonic to a sessile (attached) physiology?
• How do sessile bacteria coordinate synthesis of polysaccharides and other matrix components?

Furthermore, there is growing evidence that the traditional five-step model of biofilm formation only represents part of the biofilm story (Sauer et al., 2022). Some bacteria form a type of biofilm called a pellicle that “floats” on the air-liquid interface; other bacteria form clusters that are suspended in growth media. The differences and similarities between biofilms, pellicles, and clusters are still poorly understood, and new methods are needed to better map the full scope of biofilm physiology. In this project, we will use microfluidics and core-shell microbeads (Håti et al., 2016) as a platform to study biofilm formation.

We will generate microbeads, around 50 μm in diameter, containing bacteria and surrounded by a polymer shell. This will allow us to follow bacterial cluster formation over time and measure aspects of physiology such as biofilm morphology, expression of biofilm-relevant genes, and concentrations of c-di-GMP and other second messengers. Altering the chemistry of the shell of the bead will allow us to determine the impact of physicochemical characteristics on biofilm formation and also probe the mechanical properties of the biofilm. Changing the liquid medium inside each bead will also permit investigation of the effect of stimuli on stages of biofilm development.

This project is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Overton, an expert on microbiology of biofilms and single cell analysis, and Bassett, an expert on soft materials in tissue engineering and biomaterials. Candidates are encouraged to contact the lead supervisor, Dr David Bassett (d.c.bassett@bham.ac.uk), to discuss the project before applying.

Funding notes:

Funding and training provided through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership. International students (including EU students) are welcome to apply. Studentships would be jointly funded covering international tuition fees in full. UKRI funding will provide annual stipend for living costs and tuition fees at the UK rate. The difference between UK tuition fee rate and international tuition fee rate will be covered by University of Birmingham funding.

Smart Materials: Harnessing Sound to Combat Bacterial Growth

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisors: Professor Paula Mendes

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / UK/EU Students

Cell and gene therapies are poised to transform medicine by providing personalized and effective treatments for patients with chronic or life-threatening diseases. However, the complexity and high costs linked with the manufacturing of cell and gene therapy products have been severely constraining market availability and patient accessibility to these life changing therapies. There is an urgent need for innovative technologies that can address current challenges facing cell and gene therapy biomanufacture. Major advances are needed to enrich process integrated analytical tools, enabling accurate, real-time measurement of cell therapy key attributes during biomanufacture. This interdisciplinary project aims to develop smart switchable biosensors for real-time monitoring of cell-secreted, or bioreactor supplemented, cytokine biomarkers. For the first time, we aim to combine this novel switchable technology with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS), enabling on-demand electrochemical biosensing on-chip. Conceptually different from traditional biosensors where the surface immobilised recognition elements act as passive receptors, we introduce nature inspired surfaces with the unique ability to actively manipulate single-domain antibodies ie. nanobodies, conferring antigen-nanobody binding control. Consequently, analytes can be captured in space and time for on-demand detection, supporting real-time data capture for different periods of time. The switchable biosensor platform will bring innovation to cell therapy bioprocessing, leading to the implementation of fully automated, robust cell therapy culture processes to reduce production costs, and ultimately deliver cost-effective and impactful therapeutics to patients in need.

The project will be carried out in partnership with Imec R&D, nano electronics and digital technologies (imec-int.com) (Belgium) with opportunity for scientific visits and training.

A first degree (typically BSc or Masters) in Engineering, Chemistry, Material Sciences, Physics or Biology is required. Applications including CV and detailed education with grades should be addressed to Professor Paula Mendes (p.m.mendes@bham.ac.uk)

Subject Areas:

Surface Chemistry, Switchable Biological Surfaces, Bionanotechnology, Electrochemistry and Biosensing, CMOS.

Glycan sensing technology for early and accurate cancer diagnosis

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisors: Professor Paula Mendes

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / UK/EU Students

Cell and gene therapies are poised to transform medicine by providing personalized and effective treatments for patients with chronic or life-threatening diseases. However, the complexity and high costs linked with the manufacturing of cell and gene therapy products have been severely constraining market availability and patient accessibility to these life changing therapies. There is an urgent need for innovative technologies that can address current challenges facing cell and gene therapy biomanufacture. Major advances are needed to enrich process integrated analytical tools, enabling accurate, real-time measurement of cell therapy key attributes during biomanufacture. This interdisciplinary project aims to develop smart switchable biosensors for real-time monitoring of cell-secreted, or bioreactor supplemented, cytokine biomarkers. For the first time, we aim to combine this novel switchable technology with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS), enabling on-demand electrochemical biosensing on-chip. Conceptually different from traditional biosensors where the surface immobilised recognition elements act as passive receptors, we introduce nature inspired surfaces with the unique ability to actively manipulate single-domain antibodies ie. nanobodies, conferring antigen-nanobody binding control. Consequently, analytes can be captured in space and time for on-demand detection, supporting real-time data capture for different periods of time. The switchable biosensor platform will bring innovation to cell therapy bioprocessing, leading to the implementation of fully automated, robust cell therapy culture processes to reduce production costs, and ultimately deliver cost-effective and impactful therapeutics to patients in need.

The project will be carried out in partnership with Imec R&D, nano electronics and digital technologies (imec-int.com) (Belgium) with opportunity for scientific visits and training.

A first degree (typically BSc or Masters) in Engineering, Chemistry, Material Sciences, Physics or Biology is required. Applications including CV and detailed education with grades should be addressed to Professor Paula Mendes (p.m.mendes@bham.ac.uk)

Subject Areas:

Surface Chemistry, Switchable Biological Surfaces, Bionanotechnology, Electrochemistry and Biosensing, CMOS.

EPSRC supported EngD. The effects of cleansing on skin microbiota

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisors: Professor Zhenyu Zhang, Professor Peter Fryer, Dr Patricia Esteban

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

Funding & Eligibility: Directly Funded / UK Students

As the largest organ of human being, skin acts as a barrier to the external environment, and accommodates a diverse microbiota comprised of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and microeukaryotes. Most of such skin microbes are harmless or commensal organisms that play essential roles in inhibiting colonization by pathogenic microbes or modulating innate and adaptive immune systems. A disruption to the microbiome could cause inflammation, irritation, dry and itchy skin, dermatitis, and skin diseases (in the worse scenario). As such, a delicate balance between skin hygiene (e.g. removing dead skin cells, sebum and sweat) and the disruption to skin microbiota requires careful consideration for developing skin cleansing products and technologies.

Building upon a previous work on skin hygiene, we aim to investigate the effect of cleansing, a complex physical and chemical processes that involves water, cleansing agents, and skin, on skin microbiota in this highly interdisciplinary project. The cleansing process and products would inevitably shape the specific skin microbial communities by changing the chemical environment. Using RNA sequencing method, alongside flow cytometry, we plan establish a comprehensive understanding of the effects of surfactants on skin microbiota.

Working closely with the industrial partner Innospec, a specialty chemical company, the EngD candidate will develop a wide range of knowledge and skills in colloidal and interface science, as well microbiology, whilst establish a broad appreciation of formulation engineering. They will build a portfolio of transferrable skills such as project management, communication and team working, which ensures excellent employability upon completion of the project. If you have a background in Chemistry, Physics, biology, or Chemical Engineering, and are passionate about sustainability and future fuels, this is an excellent opportunity.

Funding notes:

To be eligible for EPSRC funding candidates must have at least a 2(1) in an Engineering or Scientific discipline or a 2(2) plus MSc. To apply please email your cv to cdt-formulation@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

The School of Chemical Engineering is dedicated to raising awareness of chemical engineering amongst young people by working closely with schools, colleges, teachers and career advisors.

Visit the Chemical Engineering outreach page for more information.

For Work Experience placements, email: hti@contacts.bham.ac.uk.