PhD Studentships
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy
Applications are invited for studentships for 3-year research programmes leading to the degree of PhD. The majority of studentships available are for candidates who meet the EPSRC residency criteria but other sources of funding might be available for very well qualified students.

Our main research activities are in the following areas and prospective candidates are welcome to contact members of the academic staff working in their fields of interest:

Physical Metallurgy and Materials Processing
Materials Chemistry
Polymers, Ceramics and Composites
Biomaterials
Device Materials
Materials Characterisation
Electron Microscopy
Further information on our research programmes and PhD topics available is at http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/Department/Research/index.html and http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/Department/...PhDadvert.html. The Department is fortunate in possessing world class facilities in the areas of transmission and scanning electron microscopy, mechanical testing, X-ray diffraction and polymer characterisation. Close collaborative links exist with industry and other university departments in the UK and abroad.

The minimum academic requirement for admission is an upper second class UK honours degree, or a lower second with a Master's, (or overseas equivalents) in a relevant subject.

Application packs are available via http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/gradstud/admissions/ or from Dr Rosie Ward ( remw2@cam.ac.uk) who is happy to answer questions about the admissions process and funding opportunities available.

The University of Manchester
BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD Studentship
Drug Design and Action
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
DNA Damage Response and Molecular Recognition by the Innate Immune System.

Professor Ian Stratford & Dr Kaye Williams (University Of Manchester)
Dr Robert Wilkinson (Astrazeneca)
The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is inviting applications for a distinguished three-year BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship commencing in January 2008. The studentship is open to UK nationals only due to the nature of the funding and will attract a minimum annual stipend of £15,100 in addition to tuition fees. The project would involve a three-month placement at AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Cheshire.

New data are emerging that provide further insights into molecular mechanisms/pathways underlying recognition of diseased cells by the innate immune system and in particular Natural Killer (NK) cells. Mouse and human ligands for the NK activation receptor NKG2D are constitutively expressed in vitro on certain transformed lines and upregulated on the surface on cell lines following genotoxic stress and stalled DNA replication. These findings suggest a novel link between the immune response and processes that regulate genome integrity.

This proposed project would focus on a number of key questions around understanding the immune-recognition of the DNA damage response following genotoxic injury in an in vivo setting. The project would be hosted within a group which integrates expertise in experimental therapeutics, cell and molecular biology and tumour biology.

Candidates should hold a first or upper-second class honours degree in a relevant biological/medical discipline and meet the eligibility criteria set out in the BBSRC guidelines (link below). Skills in standard immunology and/or cell biology techniques (e.g. tissue culture, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry) would be an advantage.

http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/training/eligibility.pdf.

It is expected that following successful completion of this PhD the candidate would progress into further academia or R&D in industries including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Interested candidates should submit a CV and detailed covering letter outlining their suitability for carrying out this study to Professor Ian Stratford: ian.stratford@manchester.ac.uk.
Contact details for two academic or professional referees should also be provided.

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
As part of an EPSRC-funded initiative at the chemistry-chemical engineering interface, three PhD studentships are available for a project investigating the catalytic properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

Studentship Area 1 will be based in the School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy at the University of East Anglia. This student will design and synthesise new chiral ligands for inclusion into MOFs, and investigate their potential as catalysts for a wide range of reaction types. For more details on this studentship, contact Dr. Sean Bew, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, email s.bew@uea.ac.uk.

Studentship Area 2 will be based in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath. This student will prepare and characterise MOFs based on the new ligands and undertake catalytic studies on them. For more details on this studentship, contact Dr. Andrew Burrows, Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, email a.d.burrows@bath.ac.uk.

Studentship Area 3 will be based in the School of Engineering and Electronics at the University of Edinburgh. This student will model adsorption and diffusion within the new materials, and measure diffusion properties. For more details on this studentship, contact Dr. Tina Düren, School of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, email tina.duren@ed.ac.uk.

The collaboration between the three groups is an important feature of this project, and the PhD students will each spend significant periods of time at the other institutions. It is expected that the three students will graduate with a unique perspective at the strategically important interface between chemistry and chemical engineering.

Studentship
Biomedical Signal Processing - Non-Linear and Fractal
Department of Engineering Science
The Systems Analysis, Modelling and Prediction (SAMP) Group (http://www.eng.ox.ac.uk/samp), is seeking a suitably qualified applicant for the above post.

The ideal candidate will hold or be expecting a 1st class or 2:1 honours degree in applied mathematics or mathematically-orientated information engineering topic, for example, signal processing, statistical or non-linear time series analysis, non-linear dynamical systems theory and machine learning. Strong numerical analysis skills, proven ability to undertake experimental projects and proficiency in MATLAB computer programming language are also required. Previous record of research publications would be an advantage
Candidates are expected to meet the criteria for Graduate Admissions: -
and must make a graduate application at the same time as applying for this studentship.
http://www.eng.ox.ac.uk/postgrad/criteria.pdf.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Max Little littlem@robots.ox.ac.uk, also please visit http://www.eng.ox.ac.uk/samp/intel-case.html

Further particulars may be obtained from Mr C J Scotcher, The Senior Administrator, University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ; or to administrator@eng.ox.ac.uk

EPSRC Industrial Case Award PhD Studentship
Sustainable Contruction Products Using Novel Low Carbon Mgo Containing Binder Technology
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dr Chris Cheeseman and Nikolaos Vlasopoulos

A research project in collaboration with Laing O'Rourke

Imperial is ranked in the top ten universities of the world, according to the 2006 Times Higher Education Supplement league tables.

This 3.5-year Industrial Case Award represents an exciting opportunity to carry out innovative research leading to a PhD at Imperial College.

Research at Imperial College is developing a new binder system based on magnesium oxide (MgO) combined with other mineral additives. Unlike Portland cement, this binder does not require high temperature processing, and will be manufactured by a process that has minimal CO2 emissions. The aim is to produce a binder that will set and harden by absorbing atmospheric CO2. This provides unique potential to develop a range of 'carbon negative' construction products (e.g. blocks, tiles) for use in a wide range of applications.

The project is in collaboration with Laing O'Rourke plc, the largest privately owned construction firm in the UK. They are committed to sustainable development, the enhancement of the environment and the development of more sustainable construction products.

Applications are particularly invited from good honours graduate students (1st or upper 2nd class honours degree) with a background in materials science/civil engineering or other relevant scientific disciplines.
For further details please contact:

Dr Chris Cheeseman
Tel.: +44 207 5945971
Email: c.cheeseman@imperial.ac.uk

or

Ms Judith Barritt
Tel.: +44 207 594 5967
Email: j.barritt@imperial.ac.uk
Skempton Building
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Imperial College London
SW7 2AZ

PhD Studentship
Design of future complex microsystems
Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (IMRC)
Academic Supervisors: Dr Ashutosh Tiwari and Dr Jeffrey Alcock

Duration: Three years

Supported by the EPSRC through Cranfield University's Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (IMRC), a studentship of up to £12,600 p.a. for 3 years plus fees* is available.

Cranfield University currently has a vacancy for a high-calibre graduate to undertake an exciting PhD research project in the area of the design of future complex microsystems. The successful candidate will form part of a project team undertaking research in this new area.

Future microsystems, such as complex biomedical microdevices, will incorporate many subsections, each of which is likely to have mechanical, electrical, thermal, electrostatic and/or fluidic interactions with other parts of the design. Hence, a change in design of one device sub-section will usually require changes in design of many other sub-sections of the device.

The PhD project seeks to build a new design methodology for future microsystems that can analyse and successfully deal with this in-built level of complexity
How to apply
Please submit a CV and complete the application form at: www.cranfield.ac.uk/prospectus/app/pgappform.pdf.

Alternatively, for more information and an application form please contact:
School of Applied Sciences
T: 44 (0)1234 754086
E: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk

PhD Studentship
Keeping Britain on the Move in Winter: Understanding the Cold-Flow Behaviour of Bio-Diesel Fuels
Institute of Particle Science and Engineering
Applications are invited for a 42 month industrially-funded PhD research studentship to work on a project entitled "An Examination of Methyl Fatty Ester Crystallisation in Relation to Improving the Cold-flow Behaviour of Pure and Formulated Bio-diesel Fuels" under the supervision of Professor Kevin Roberts in the Institute of Particle Science and Engineering, University of Leeds. The project is funded via an industrial studentship from Infineum (a joint venture company owned 50:50 by ExxonMobil and Shell) involved in the development and manufacture of speciality petrochemical products.

You will have the opportunity to undertake work in laboratories of the industrial sponsor and will be encouraged to attend national and international training courses and conferences. You will receive a stipend of £12,600 per year, and in turn will be encouraged to contribute towards publication of work and defining opportunities within the project. You will work in a grade 5*-rated research school in the Institute of Particle Science and Engineering, one of the University's gold-star rated centres of research excellence, enjoying access to state of the art instrumentation and computation in recently refurbished laboratories.

The backdrop to the project reflects the fact that modern environmental factors, driven by global warming considerations, has seen a significant shift in recent years towards a low-carbon economy and concomitant demand for the use of more sustainable fuel sources, notably through the increased use of bio-diesel fuels. However, there are challenges to the routine use of such fuel sources, notably related their behaviour under cold weather conditions, due to the crystallisation within the fuel of waxy bio-fuel components, notably long-chain methyl fatty esters.

This project will focus around this theme aiming to develop a fundamental understanding of such deleterious crystallisation behaviour together with the concomitant impact on the flow properties of the fuel. The planned research work will involve molecular and crystallographic studies adopting surface engineering approaches for potential crystallisation control coupled to experimental studies of their crystallisation using laboratory techniques.

This studentship is only open to UK/EU applicants (due to funding body restrictions).

For further details please contact Prof. Kevin Roberts at k.j.roberts@leeds.ac.uk.

Interested candidates should send a letter of application and a detailed CV with the names and addresses of three referees to him at:

Professor Kevin J Roberts
Brotherton Professor of Chemical Engineering
Institute of Particle Science and Engineering
School of Process, Environmental & Materials Engineering
University of Leeds
Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.

University of Nottingham
Postgraduate Studentships
Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
School of Chemistry
Following expansion of the Inorganic and Materials Division within the School of Chemistry, a range of fully-funded postgraduate studentships (covering both fees and living expenses) leading to the award of PhD is available to work on a range of research projects spanning:

• coordination, organometallic, biological and supramolecular chemistry;
• nanoscience, fullerenes and single molecule manipulation;
• solid-state chemistry;
• polymer synthesis and processing;
• catalysis;
• photochemistry and spectroscopy;
• molecular magnetism;
• green and analytical chemistry, clean technology;
• structural chemistry.

The successful students will tackle exciting contemporary challenges in a very well-equipped and modern environment with outstanding facilities and support. Students should hold, or expect to obtain, a 2(i) or First Class Honours degree in chemistry or equivalent degree in a related subject area.

Further details are available at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistr..._materials.php

Application should be made by submission of a full curriculum vitae with the names and addresses of two academic referees to: Professor Martin Schröder, School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK. Email: M.Schroder@Nottingham.ac.uk.

PHD PROJECTS IN BIOPHOTONICS
Optical biomedical imaging: towards live imaging and single protein detection
The MQ Photonics at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia is one of the leading institutions in the world for photonics research. We are seeking a candidate for a postgraduate research scholarship (PhD) in the field of Biophotonics. You will explore both experimental and theoretical development of optical biomedical imaging as a part of a dynamic research team. A passion for doing good science and excellent study record are main selection criteria, whereas a range of undergraduate degrees may qualify for this postgraduate research.

Three projects are available, described below - please contact Associate Professor Andrei Zvyagin (azvyagin@ics.mq.edu.au) for more details. To apply, please supply a detailed CV and the email addresses of two academic referees.

1. Background-free optical imaging of biological macromolecules and nanoparticles
In most cases in optics, imaging resolution is limited to roughly the wavelength of light. At the same time, the optical detection sensitivity of individual particles is unlimited theoretically. It is limited practically by the ratio of wanted versus unwanted photons, called background. The better the background is suppressed, the smaller particles, e.g. proteins, are detectable. A PhD project will address realisation of this detection principle.

2. Application of multiphoton microscopy to study of collagen regeneration
Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is a new imaging method, which produces exquisite images of live cells and biological tissue. Tightly focused ultrashort pulsed laser radiation elicits non-linear optical response in the biological matter, which is detectable and carries wealth of information.
We intend to apply MPM to image collagen-abundant tissue, such as cartilage, relying on a strong second-harmonic signal from collagen. In collaboration with the medical and laser physics researchers, we will investigate, yet mysterious, mechanisms of collagen regeneration under the exposure to the laser light. Understanding these mechanisms will have tremendous impact on the current practice of treatment of osteoarthritis and the related disease.

3. Application of luminescent nanodiamonds to intracellular imaging
Imaging at the molecular level has recently become a reality, if specific molecular sites are tagged with "optical labels", so that even an individual molecule becomes visible in the cell. These optical labels can be engineered as organic dyes, quantum dots, or luminescent nanocrystals. Our research is focused on the latter, i.e. luminescent nanodiamond (LND). LND is a diamond nanocrystal with a colour centre, which renders nanocrystal highly visible in the cell, even on the background of the cell's own fluorescence, called autofluorescence.

A PhD student will carry our research into characterisation of LNDs and LND-assisted intracellular imaging

Four-year PhD Studentships
Department of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Division of Neuroscience & Mental Health
Sponsorship of outstanding UK/EU candidates is available for the following funding opportunity: Wellcome Trust and National Institutes of Health 4-year PhD Studentships

This scheme provides opportunities for the most promising postgraduate students to undertake international, collaborative 4-year PhD training based in both an UK/Republic of Ireland (RoI) academic institution and the intramural campus of the National Institutes of Health at Bethesda (Maryland, USA). Full information available at: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/node2163.html

Experiments will involve the use of a variety of immunological assays to be performed on clinical specimens from patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A strong focus of the research will be to characterize the mode of action of experimental treatments being tested in clinical trials for MS, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Please note that sponsorship does not guarantee a PhD place and that short-listed candidates will be required to attend interview at NIH in February 2008.

PhD Project: Mechanisms of Immune Intervention in Multiple Sclerosis
Supervisor (Academic Host): Dr Paolo A Muraro.

Interested candidates should contact Dr P A Muraro p.muraro@imperial.ac.uk