Building artificial cells for clinical diagnosis of pathogen infections

Artificial cells mimic the structure and some properties of natural, living cells with reduced complexity. They are assembled from their molecular constituents, enabling them to be engineered with specific functions and developed for applications in a range of technology areas, including environmental remediation, chemical manufacture and biomedicine. In this project, you will join an international team, across UK and Japan, developing artificial cells for rapid diagnosis of pathogen infections.<br /> <br /> You will join an international project team (split between Leeds, Osaka, Kobe and Tokyo) and contribute to the design and optimisation of these molecular sensors. A particular focus of the PhD project will be to determine how these sensors can be used in a clinical setting. You may also broaden the range of targets that can be detected and distinguished by the system to include other antibiotic-resistant pathogens. As part of the wider project team, you will have the opportunity to undertake a 3-month secondment at one of our project partners in Japan as well as to network with the wider national and international engineering biology and synthetic cell communities.<br /> <br /> This PhD project will develop your skills and training in biotechnology, chemical biology and biophysics and would suit a recent graduate in Natural Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related disciplines such as biochemical engineering or biophysics.

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Chemistry</strong></em> and in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Building artificial cells for clinical diagnosis of pathogen infections</strong></em> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/4203/professor-paul-beales">Professor Paul Beales</a> as your proposed supervisor. Please state clearly in the Finance Section that the funding source you are applying for is <em><strong>School of Chemistry Studentship (MRC UK/Japan).</strong></em></p> <p>Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application.  We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of 31 March 2025:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>A highly competitive School of Chemistry Studentship, in support of the MRC Research Grant: UK Japan Engineering Biology for Novel Therapies and Diagnostics Research Collaboration, providing the award of full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£19,237 in academic session 2024/25) for 3.5 years. This grant funding will support travel and research costs for the PhD project. Funding in this grant will support a 3 month secondment for the PhD student to work at one of our project partners in Japan.</p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£320 in Session 2024/25), but the scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Professor Paul Beales by email to <a href="mailto:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">p.a.beales@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p>