PhD Studentship: Rapid Development and Testing of Multifunctional Antimicrobial Coatings to Combat Urological Device Infections
1 month ago
Project title: Rapid Development and Testing of Multifunctional Antimicrobial Coatings to Combat Urological Device Infections
Supervisory Team: Dr Andrew R. Hamilton; Dr Ali Mosayyebi; Dr Dario Carugo
Project description:
Urological devices (stents and catheters) are deployed as temporary measures to restore urinary drainage in patients with kidney stones, tumours or strictures. Device-associated encrustation-and-biofilm-formation (E&B) are key complications, leading to urinary tract infections (UTIs) in >90% of stents, causing stent blockage, reliance on antibiotics and contributing to antibiotic resistance. In 2016, NIHR reported that >92m people globally are diagnosed with UTIs every year, compromising quality of life and imposing a £2.5b annual burden on the NHS. Over the past decades, researchers have tried to introduce materials (e.g. metallic alloys, polymers, biodegradables), coatings (e.g. heparin, chitosan, hydrogel, carbon) and shapes (e.g. double-J, loop, mesh, string, expandable) to improve stents and catheters. Despite advances, there is still a prevalence of E&B and UTIs.
Our team has developed a high-throughput microfluidic screening platform to evaluate new urinary stent architectures and surface modifications/coatings by replicating dynamic fluid flow conditions within a stented urinary tract. In separate work, we have shown that multilayer coatings with varying mechanical compliance and hydrophilic swelling can be produced, and that these can resist biofilm formation by the common uropathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
In this PhD project, we aim to (1) develop novel coatings to resist encrustation and biofilm formation on stents, and (2) extend our test platform to include in vitro biological testing of microbial cell-device interactions for rapid pre-clinical testing of coating efficacy. New coating materials in the form of multilayer composites will be manufactured by depositing nanoscale layers onto the surface of ureteral stent models. The sequential deposition of different single-layers with different chemical compositions can enable multilayer coatings with multiple antimicrobial mechanisms (e.g. bactericidal, anti-adhesive, erodible). These activities will enable pre-clinical evaluation of new coatings and other urological device innovations for prevention and treatment of device E&B and infection, thus accelerating commercial and clinical translation of new solutions to these problems.
We are looking for applicants who are motivated by this exciting area of research, and the possibility to contribute to scientific and technological developments. Applicants should have a strong academic record, ideally with some relevant research or project experience, a background in engineering (e.g. microfluidics and microfabrication), materials, chemistry, and/or microbiology, and an interest in multidisciplinary skills development.
Entry Requirements
A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).
Closing date: 31 August 2024. Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.
Funding: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships. For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
How To Apply
Apply online: HERE Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Choose an item. (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor NAME
Applications should include:
Research Proposal
Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters
Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date
We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Dr Seung Lee Supervisory Team: Dr Seung Lee (School of Chemistry), Prof. Jeremy Webb (School of Biological Sciences and national Biofilms Innovation Centre), Prof. Paul Stoodley (University of Southampton and Ohio State University) Project description: A fully-funded 4 year PhD studentship (Institute for Life Sciences studentship) for...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Prof. Otto Muskens; Alberto Politi Project Description: In this project, the student will develop new technologies for integrated quantum optical chips allowing programming and tuning of devices under different operating conditions and in particular for operation in a cryogenic environment. The ability to actively control different parts of...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Dr Gustavo de Almeida; Dr Sergio Maldonado Project description: Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD position on the investigation of novel design methods to improve the resilience of submerged infrastructure (i.e. bridge piers, wind turbines) subject to hydrodynamic action (e.g. currents and waves). Many critical submerged...
-
southampton University, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Richard Guest and Jennifer Williams Project description: The development and offline testing of biometric systems (such as face and voice) relies on the presentation of a large collection of population unbiased-data. Assembling these data is often time consuming and, to be ethically valid, requires the agreement of test participants for...
-
southampton University, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Asieh Salehi Fathabadi Supervisory Team: Dr Asieh Salehi Fathabadi, Prof Pauline Leonard, Dr Vahid Yazdanpanah Project description: Are you fascinated by the convergence of computer science, and social science? Do you have a keen interest in understanding the intricate dynamics of trust in the context of AI technologies? We invite...
-
southampton University, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Richard Guest and Jennifer Williams Project description: The development and offline testing of biometric systems (such as face and voice) relies on the presentation of a large collection of population unbiased-data. Assembling these data is often time consuming and, to be ethically valid, requires the agreement of test participants for...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Chris-Kriton Skylaris (90%) Andrea Russell (10%) Project description: Proton-exchange Membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cells are an emerging technology for environmentally sustainable transport and other carbon-neutral energy applications. A crucial component of these devices are the metallic catalyst nanoparticles which allow the chemical...
-
southampton University, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: J.W. Essex and J.G. Frey PhD Supervisor: Jon Essex Project description: The search for drug molecules is risky and expensive. Having identified a high quality and tractable chemical starting point (a hit), further optimisation takes place by modifying the functional groups attached to a central, rigid-ring scaffold. This central scaffold is...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Prof Sumeet Mahajan Supervisory Team: Professor Sumeet Mahajan, Professor Amrit Mudher, Professor Chris Kipps Project description: Globally, there is a growing and a huge unmet need for tools and technologies that allow rapid, affordable and accurate dementia diagnosis. Overlapping symptoms and natural changes make this challenging. In this...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Dr Katrina Morgan, Dr Ioannis Zeimpekis, Prof Nick Harris, Prof Steve Beeby Project Description: This PhD is a sought after industrial Cooperative Award in Science and Techology (iCASE), with sponsorship from BAE Systems Ltd. Waste heat surrounds us; from car exhausts to fridges, and even yourself. This otherwise untapped energy source...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Dr Katrina Morgan (kam2g11@soton.ac.uk), Dr Ioannis Zeimpekis, Prof Nick Harris, Prof Steve Beeby Project Description: This PhD is a sought after industrial Cooperative Award in Science and Techology (iCASE), with sponsorship from BAE Systems Ltd. Waste heat surrounds us; from car exhausts to fridges, and even yourself. This otherwise...
-
southampton University, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeProject title: Impact-resistant meta-structures under stochastic multiple impact Supervisory Team: Dr Susmita Naskar (60%), Dr Tanmoy Mukhopadhyay (40%) Project description: Active mechanical metamaterials can be designed to enhance the performance of body armors and vehicle Armor. These materials can dynamically adjust their stiffness and energy...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Dr Seung Lee (School of Chemistry), Prof. Jeremy Webb (School of Biological Sciences and National Biofilms Innovation Centre), Prof. Paul Stoodley (University of Southampton), Dr Rob Howlin (Haleon, industry), Dr David Bradshaw and Dr Ricarda Hawkins (Haleon, industry) Project Description: A fully-funded 4 year National Biofilms...
-
PhD Studentship: Quantum Sensor Network
1 month ago
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Dr Bruce Ou, Dr Alberto Politi, Prof Jize Yan Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills. Quantum information...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Prof Hendrik Ulbricht Supervisory Team: Prof Hendrik Ulbricht Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills. In this PhD...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Chris-Kriton Skylaris (80%) Jeremy Frey (20%) Project Description: The computational simulation of chemical reactions in materials requires an accurate, explicit description of their electrons. This can be achieved by quantum mechanical calculations from first principles, in particular with Density Functional Theory (DFT) which achieves...
-
PhD Studentship
1 month ago
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Ioannis Zeimpekis Project description: Revolutionising the semiconductor industry with next generation 2D materials and devices. Moore’s Law is currently being challenged with Nvidia CEO recently claiming it is over. The scaling of transistors cannot continue due to physical limitations of silicon posing a threat to the sustainable...
-
PhD Studentship
7 days ago
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Chris-Kriton Skylaris (80%) Jeremy Frey (20%) Project description: Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations are typically limited to tens of atoms due to the steep increase of the computational effort with the number of atoms. Recent developments have led to “linear-scaling” reformulations of DFT which allow calculations with...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Prof Simone De Liberato, Dr Erika Cortese Project description: The University of Southampton is actively recruiting PhD candidates in the fascinating field of Quantum Technology. This is a unique chance for postgraduate students to dive into ambitious research while acquiring comprehensive scientific and technical skills. Our pioneering...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeProject title: Integrated photonics for ion-trap quantum computing Supervisory Team: Dr Peter Horak, Dr James Gates Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific,...
