Supervisors: Dr John Batchelor and Dr Campbell Gourlay

Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD studentship split between the Schools of Engineering and Digital Arts and the School of Biosciences. 

The University of Kent is well known internationally for its work on passive wireless sensing devices and on the molecular biology of yeast cells. The aim of the project is to investigate the innovative design of passive sensors capable of detecting yeast cells and the biofilms that they produce. These biosensors will enable the technologies needed by health professionals who require a cost effective and reliable means of detecting infection hazards occurring on medical implants. To develop such technology we will utilise the growth of yeast biofilms on voice prosthesis as a model system. The growth of yeast biofilms on voice prosthesis in patients who have undergone a total laryngectomy following throat cancer represents a significant clinical problem that would benefit greatly from such technology.

The applicant will work within the internationally renowned Kent Fungal Group (KFG). The KFG conduct research into a variety of yeast and fungal systems in well-equipped labs situated within the School of Biosciences. The sensors will be developed in the Antennas Laboratory at Kent which has excellent facilities for the fabrication of sensing prototypes and for the characterization and measurement of passive sensors. We are well equipped with a workshop to produce required hardware for experimentation and prototyping. The development of biosensor technology to monitor biofilms will enhance a current collaborative project between the KFG and the East Kent University Hospital Trust which tackles the problem of fungal colonisation of voice prosthesis in patients who have undergone a total laryngectomy following throat cancer.

The main roles of the PhD student will include: (i) growth and analysis of yeast biofilms (ii) molecular and cell biological techniques to assess biofilm growth (iii) biochemical analysis of biofilm composition (iv) using electromagnetic simulation software to investigate the electrical loading effects of biofilms (v) designing RFID tag based sensors which respond to biofilm capacitive loading (vi) creating and testing prototype sensors (vii) The student will give presentations to the research groups and at conferences, write technical reports and draft papers for peer reviewed journals. 

The ideal candidate will have a Masters degree in Bioengineering, Bioscience, Engineering, or a Physical Science. This is a highly interdisciplinary project and candidates who can demonstrate experience working between Bioscience and Engineering, or a strong willingness to do so, will be especially welcome. Training in wireless sensor design and all relevant lab techniques will be provided.

Funding details: Funding will cover fees at the home rate of £4,052 together with a maintenance stipend of £14,057. A travel and consumables budget is also available.

Start date:  1 October 2015

Length of Award:  3 years

Eligibility:  Open to UK applicants

Enquiries:  Any enquiries relating to the project should be directed to Dr John Batchelorj.c.batchelor<στο>kent.ac.uk or Dr Campbell Gourlay C.W.Gourlay<στο>kent.ac.uk

Application:  Apply for a PhD at http://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply-online/262 and specify the research topic Developing Biosensor Technology to Monitor Biofilm Formation on Voice Prosthesis in Throat Cancer Patients Following Total Laryngectomy