UK funded vacancies
Funded by research councils, charities and industry, these studentships cover tuition fees and, for most UK students, provide more than £18,000 per year towards living expenses. They last four years, or three if you already have an MRes, MSc or other postgraduate degree.
How to use the table
We've listed specific positions with secured funding in the table below. Clicking on a member of staff's name will take you to their personal home page whereas clicking on a PhD title will show more details about that particular project. If your research interest isn't listed, please contact us to talk about potential opportunities.
Current research opportunities
Supervisors: Professor Jonathan Aylott, Professor Kim Hardie
Subject areas: Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Data Analysis, Dentistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Nanotechnology
About the project
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship supported by Unilever to study the production of acid and effects on localised pH dynamics within polymicrobial dental biofilms. Dental caries is an oral disease that is multifactorial and biofilm-dependent, caused by changes in the composition and metabolism of complex microbial communities in oral biofilms. Streptococcus mutans is one of the most common species in oral biofilms associated with tooth decay; however, several other microbial communities are spatially organised into complex structural arrangements and extracellular matrices, contributing to cariogenic biofilm formation. The established biofilms ferment available carbohydrates to produce acid that lowers the environmental pH and promotes demineralisation of the tooth’s enamel, leading to the formation of dental caries. A preliminary collaborative study between Unilever and the University of Nottingham established a dynamic in vitro model using fluorescent pH nanosensors to assess acid production, (and thus the metabolic activity) of S. mutans in real-time within biofilms. This studentship will extend this collaboration to (i) build polymicrobial biofilm models that more realistically mimic the oral cavity, (ii) map environmental microniches within the biofilms, and (iii) monitor pH in real-time. Thereby, it will visualise pH modulation within mono- and poly- microbial biofilms to reveal the microbial contribution to damaging acidity. The model will be exploited to assess the impact of treatments (toothpaste, mouthwash) on pH modulation and biofilm behaviour and function. The methods employed in this studentship will include a range of microbiological techniques, advanced fluorescent microscopy, and measurement science. The student will also spend time on placement at Unilever to experience the industrial research landscape, gaining additional insight into Project Management, R&D Strategy, Regulatory affairs, IP and Marketing.
The University of Nottingham provides first class facilities and learning environments supported by expertise and dedicated researchers. The supervisors have vibrant research groups hosted in state-of-the-art laboratories within the Cross-disciplinary Biodiscovery Institute (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/research-areas/biodiscovery-institute/biodiscovery-institute.aspx) and the adjoined Boots Sciences Building. They are integral to the National Biofilm Innovation Centre (NBIC, https://www.biofilms.ac.uk) to which this studentship project is aligned. NBIC is an Innovation Knowledge Centre (IKC) funded by BBSRC and Innovate UK with the aims of establishing research networks and innovation capacity in the study of biofilms. The project will also benefit from the range of analytical platforms housed within the flagship nmRC (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nmrc/) facility at the University of Nottingham. The training opportunities include cutting-edge fluorescent microscopy, transcriptomics, cryo-orbiSIMS, and molecular microbiology. The NBIC CTP.BITE training (https://www.biofilms.ac.uk/doctoral-training-centre/) delivers an ambitious training programme in biofilm science, engineering and technology as well as in commercialisation and is included as part of this studentship. Directly applied business-related training will also occur during the placement at Unilever. In addition, the University of Nottingham offers a host of practical training courses, there is an active research seminar programme and wellbeing support. Students are closely monitored in terms of their personal and professional progression throughout their study period and are assigned academic mentors in addition to their supervisory team. The PhD programme provides structured training as a fundamental part of postgraduate personal development and our training programme enables students to develop skills across the four domains of the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF). During their studies, students will also have the opportunity to attend and present at conferences around the world.
Candidate Requirements:
Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a 2.1 degree in Microbiology, Life Sciences or another relevant related science area. This PhD project will be multidisciplinary, encompassing biofilm growth and analysis, molecular microbiology, confocal fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry and associated data analytics. The successful candidate should have the following skills:
- Strong microbiology skills (to be applied to biofilm growth and measurement)
- Independence and self-motivation
- An ability to work independently and in a team
- A strong aptitude for working with industrial partners
- A high level of proficiency in English
- An excellent work ethic and commitment to the job
Experience in or knowledge of any of the following would be advantageous; biofilms, fluorescence microscopy and imaging.
Eligibility
- The studentship is only available for UK candidates. The studentship will provide full-time UK tuition fees and stipend, in line with UKRI stipend rates
- Candidates must possess or expect to obtain, a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree, in Microbiology, Life Sciences or another relevant related science area
How to apply
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Jonathan Aylott (jon.aylott@nottingham.ac.uk) or Professor Kim Hardie (kim.hardie@nottingham.ac.uk) for more details or enquiries about the project.
Formal applications should be made online through the University of Nottingham’s online application system, indicating “Pharmacy” for the School and “Professor Jonathan Aylott” as the supervisor.
Application deadline: the application deadline for this project is 5th September 2024.