Vacancies
MRC Doctoral Training Programme iCASE studentship
Translation of novel polymer anti-bacterial coating to invasive medical devices used in the neonatal intensive care for high risk preterm infants
Infections in premature babies are a leading cause of death, severe illness and are associated with poor long-term outcomes for survivors. Premature babies on intensive care units acquire these infections whilst in hospital, often from their life-supporting medical devices. This studentship will develop new coatings for these devices that resist bacterial colonisation and so reduce the risk of infection in these vulnerable babies. Based in the world-leading School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham, in partnership with academic neonatologists in the School of Medicine, the student will develop the new coatings, test them in vitro and in vivo, working closely with our industrial collaborator. There will be opportunities to train at the Harwell Research Complex learning cutting edge skills and spend time in the hospital environment, in a large research-active neonatal intensive care unit, to better understand the clinical need. This PhD will suit a highly ambitious science graduate, in the field of biology or chemistry, who wishes to undertake a truly translational clinical project with industry collaboration and training. It is expected that at the end of the project, the student will be well placed to secure follow-on funding for clinical trials and on-going development or commercialisation.
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/translation-of-novel-polymer-anti-bacterial-coating-to-invasive-medical-devices-used-in-the-neonatal-intensive-care-for-high-risk-preterm-infants/?p127096
PhD Testimony:
Jordan Thorpe: Former PhD Student on the NGBD Programme Grant (RC3, Regenerative Medicine)
"I find the field of biomaterials particularly exciting, because the work being carried out here has real potential to translate into the real world. As a large multi-disciplinary team, we have people developing everything from new anti-microbial surfaces, to novel chemistries for drug delivery.
The multi-disciplinary aspect of our projects is the greatest benefit of working within the Biomaterials group. As a stem cell biologist discovering new materials that support cardiomyocytes (heart cells), I work day-in day-out with several people specialised in chemistry and material sciences to develop our materials screening platform. This has allowed us to make good progress on the project, and adds real value to the research we are doing. I certainly would not have been able to do research like this alone!
The PhD itself is challenging and engaging, coming towards the end of my second year I have developed a lot since starting on the project. I have learnt how to plan experiments, manage my time effectively (even with so many things going on), there have also been plenty of opportunities to present my work to colleagues, and at conferences. The programme grant itself has also hosted a range of guest speakers from related research fields, industry, and business, which have been very informative. I feel confident to continue in this field of science after the PhD project, or even branch out into related industries with the skills I’m learning here."