Supervisor: Dr Ioan Notingher (Associate Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy)

Subject Area: Biophotonics/Optics

Surgery that tries to only remove cancerous tissue and leave healthy tissue in place (also known as tissue conserving surgery) is increasingly used in the treatment of cancer. Typically, in skin conserving surgery, one layer after another of tissue is cut away and examined under the microscope to make sure that all the cancer is out. This process is stopped when only health tissue is left. Successful removal of all cancer cells is the key to achieving lower rates of the cancer returning. There is always a balance to be struck between making sure that all the cancer is removed (which might involve removing some healthy tissue) and preserving as much healthy tissue as possible in order to reduce scarring and disfigurement. The real challenge however is to know where the cancer starts and ends when looking at it during an operation so that the surgeon knows when to stop cutting.

These exciting PhD projects aim to develop new optical microscopy techniques based on fluorescence imaging and Raman spectroscopy that can be used by surgeons to identify the margins of the tumour. This project is based on a long-term collaboration between the Biophotonics Group in School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nottingham (http://www.biophotonics-nottingham-nanoscience.net) and the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. For further information about the projects please contact Ioan Notingher (ioan.notingher<στο>nottingham.ac.uk)

The candidates should have a 1st or 2:1 degree in physics, chemistry, or biomedical engineering. They should have evidence of strong skills in optics. Basic experience of computer programming would be an advantage.

This PhD position is planned to start on the 1st September 2015 but this date is flexible to accommodate the appointed candidate. The EPSRC studentships are fully-funded and cover a period of 3.5 years.

Applications should be directed to Ioan Notingher (ioan.notingher<στο>nottingham.ac.uk) and should include a two page CV and cover letter stating your reasons for wanting to complete a PhD, your academic and non-academic strengths and any other background information that you wish to include.

Stipend: £13,863.

Applicant qualification requirements

The candidate should be confident in the basic sciences and would typically have a 1st or 2:1 degree in physical sciences, engineering, chemistry, or similar subject area.

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/SCI1407

Closing Date: 31 December 2014.