Applications are invited for a PhD studentship funded by Loughborough University to work on the development and characterization of portable gas plasma devices for microbial inactivation. Based in the Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, this a multi-disciplinary project that offers a unique opportunity to work across the fields of electrical engineering, plasma physics, microbiology and chemistry in collaboration with a Fortune 500 industrial partner.

About the research: Gas plasmas are ionized gases generated when a gas is subjected to a high electric field. They comprise a mixture of electrons, ions, photons and reactive species that have been shown in recent years to have microbiocidal properties against an increasingly wide range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Microbiocidal agents generated in the plasma can be generated in-situ, on-demand and from innocuous gases, thereby minimizing health and environmental hazards associated with the transport and manipulation of conventional chemical biocides.

In this project the student will investigate the potential use of plasmas for disinfection purposes in portable devices, an area of strategic importance for the industrial partner. A number of technological and scientific issues will be addressed as part of the study including generation mechanisms and control of reactive species within the plasma, miniaturization and integration of plasma sources into portable devices and selective quenching of long-lived reactive species.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a 1^st class or high 2:1 honours degree in a Engineering, Science or other relevant discipline. An appetite and aptitude for interdisciplinary research is essential, as well as good communication and experimental skills. Multi-disciplinary training will be provided, and the student will join chemists, microbiologists and engineers working in related interdisciplinary projects. The student will have access to all the facilities of the Plasma and Pulsed Power Group, a fully-equipped Class II microbiological lab and analytical chemical equipment.

Studentship: The studentship is for 3 years and is intended to start in early 2015 (July 2015 at the latest). The studentship provides a tax free stipend of £13,863 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate (currently £3,996 p.a.). Non-European candidates are welcome to apply but they will need to make additional arrangements to cover their living expenses as the studentship will only cover their international fees. Full information can be found athttp://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/finance/research.

How to apply: Please complete the online application at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/pgapps

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EESE PhD Administrator Mrs Julie Allen (j.d.allen<στο>lboro.ac.uk). For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Felipe Iza (f.iza<στο>lboro.ac.uk) or Dr Gilbert Shama (g.shama<στο>lboro.ac.uk).

Please quote the following reference when applying: GS15EESE/S1