UK funded vacancies
Funded by research councils, charities and industry, these studentships cover tuition fees and, for most UK students, provide more than £18,000 per year towards living expenses. They last four years, or three if you already have an MRes, MSc or other postgraduate degree.
How to use the table
We've listed specific positions with secured funding in the table below. Clicking on a member of staff's name will take you to their personal home page whereas clicking on a PhD title will show more details about that particular project. If your research interest isn't listed, please contact us to talk about potential opportunities.
Current research opportunities
Supervisors: Dr Karen Alvey, Dr Robert Owen, Dr David Scurr, Professor Cameron Alexander
Subject areas: Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Immunology, Manufacturing Engineering, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacy, Polymer Chemistry, Polymers,
About the project
Join our dynamic research team and be at the forefront of ground-breaking drug delivery advancements. We are offering a fully-funded 36 month PhD studentship (to UK students only) to tackle skin variability challenges through the development of personalised microneedles using cutting-edge 3D printing technology. Personalised microneedle patches offer a revolutionary approach to drug delivery by enhancing drug permeation and providing precise control over release rates. There is growing interest in formulating biotherapeutics such as nucleic acids into microneedle patches to enhance their thermal stability but the potential for personalisation through 3D printing remains unexplored. In this project you will have the opportunity to develop a personalised 3D-printed biotherapeutic microneedle patch with customisable permeation and release profiles, guided by material selection and microneedle design principles. New insights will be gained through the application of world-leading characterisation techniques, such as OrbiSIMS analysis (Starr et al, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2114380119), working within a team with an established track record in biotherapeutic formulation and delivery.
Candidate Requirements:
Applications are invited from students with a background in chemistry, pharmaceutical science, biomaterial science or a related discipline, who have or expect to graduate with a first-class or strong 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level. The starting date for the project will be October 2024. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Karen Alvey and/or Dr Robert Owen for more details or enquiries about the project.
The School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham was ranked 7th in the world in the 2020 QS World Rankings for pharmacy and pharmacology and 96% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021 Results).
Eligibility
- The studentship is only available for UK candidates. The studentship will provide full-time UK tuition fees and stipend, in line with UK stipend rates for 36 months
- Candidates must possess or expect to obtain, a minimum of a first class or strong 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in a related subject
How to apply
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Karen Alvey and/or Dr Robert Owen for more details or enquiries about the project.
Formal applications should include CV, cover letter and academic transcripts, and should be made online through the University of Nottingham’s online application system, indicating “Pharmacy” for the School and “Dr Karen Alvey” as the supervisor.
Application deadline: open until filled, applications are reviewed on a weekly basis hence interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Supervisors: Dr Felicity de Cogan, Dr Veeren Chauhan
Subject areas: Behavioural Biology, Biotechnology, Ecology, Immunology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology
About the project
This project will build on the research developed in the de Cogan and Chauhan groups on novel formulation with penetration enhancers and the efficacy of those compounds in delivery models. The PhD will provide training in a range of techniques including formulation and characterisation as well as in vivo models using Caenorhabditis elegans, a free-living nematode.
AIM: This project aims to harness the immense potential of cell penetrating peptides to formulate a new generation of therapeutics for topical delivery. The efficacy of these formulations will be evaluated in vivo using C. elegans.
CHALLENGE: Non-adherence to injection regimens contributes to increased complication rates including raising the financial burden on the NHS by increasing hospital inpatient numbers. For many patients having to administer self-injections it is a traumatic experience, which produces a great deal of anxiety as well as local side effects including inflammation, pain and swelling. For inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease which are treated using proteins, which are not stable to passage through the GI tract, the only other viable option is patient administered subcutaneous injection.
SOLUTION: In order to overcome anxiety and side effects of repeated subcutaneous injections for Crohn’s disease this PhD will develop formulations that can deliver therapeutics using topical formulations, negating the need for these injections.
Candidate Requirements:
We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for PhD research at the University of Nottingham. You will have a 1st class or good 2:I honours degree and/or relevant Masters level qualification in a relevant subject. You will have a passion for scientific research, be curious, inventive, a critical thinker and problem-solver. You will have a strong intellect and disciplined work habits, and good communication skills.
Eligibility
- The studentship is only available for UK candidates. The studentship will provide full-time UK tuition fees and stipend, in line with UK stipend rates
- Candidates must possess or expect to obtain, a minimum of a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject
How to apply
Informal inquiry before applying is welcome and recommended. Please contact Dr Felicity de Cogan by email.
Application deadline: 15 April 2024