Studentships

PhD studentship - Regulation of DNA replication by the central carbon metabolism

Reference : SCI1087
Closing Date : Open until filled

Fully funded PhD studentship (October 2012); (CBS) (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cbs/index.aspx), School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, UK.

The above studentship is available in Prof. Panos Soultanas’ group (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/people/panos.soultanas) to work on the molecular mechanisms that underpin regulation of DNA replication by the central carbon metabolism. Applicants should have (or be expected to obtain) a first or upper second class BSc honours degree in a Life Sciences subject. The position is available only to UK and/or EU nationals.

Our preliminary work has uncovered that the metabolism-replication link depends on metabolic signals originating from the central carbon metabolism core and is sensed by the replication initiation protein DnaA and the replicative helicase, the primase and the lagging strand polymerase in Bacillus subtilis. The subject of this research is to uncover the molecular details of this regulatory link. Further details can be obtained directly by contacting Prof. Panos Soultanas either by e-mail (panos.soultanas@nottingham.ac.uk) or by phone (44(0)115-9513525).

The CBS houses over 300 scientists from 5 different Schools and Departments across 3 Faculties, in a state of the art research building with a strong interdisciplinary ethos. A total of £40 million has been invested to create an excellent blend of biology, chemistry and engineering laboratories.

To apply, please access: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-postgraduate-course/apply-online.aspx stating that you want to join Prof. Soultanas’ group (CBS, School of Chemistry). The application number verifying that your application has been uploaded online together with a full CV should be forwarded directly to Prof. Soultanas (email: panos.soultanas@nottingham.ac.uk). Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis until the position is filled by the appropriate student.

ESPRC Doctoral Prize 2013

Reference : DP13
Closing Date : 14 August 2013

The EPSRC Doctoral Prize is an opportunity for the most outstanding EPSRC-funded PhD students to receive up to two years of additional support following their PhD. It is designed to offer support and flexibility and is targeted at excellent scientists and engineers who wish to establish a research career. 

Engineering Doctorate Studentships

Reference : ENG479
Closing Date : Open until filled

Engineering Doctorate Centre in Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies

Led by The University of Nottingham involving collaboration with the University of Birmingham and Loughborough University

This EngD Centre will produce research leaders to tackle the major national and international challenges over the next 15 years in implementing new power plant to generate electricity more efficiently using fossil energy with near zero emissions, involving the successful demonstration of CO2 capture, and reducing CO2 emissions generally from coal utilisation, including iron making.

A number of Engineering Doctorate postgraduate studentships starting October 2013 are available. The EngD training provides:
• An in-depth four year training programme
• A non-taxed stipend of up to £20,000; much higher than a conventional PhD
• Approximately three years’ extensive research time in industry
• International travel for conferences and attending summer schools held in China and India
• Preparation for high-level careers in the energy sector

Industrial Involvement
Research Engineers will spend time working closely with a number of industrial sponsors, they will pursue a research project based at one of the organisations:
• Air Products • Alstom Power
• Biomass and Fossil Fuel Research Alliance • CPL
• Doosan Power Systems
• Innospec • E.ON
• Johnson Matthey
• National Physical Laboratory • RWE nPower
• Scottish and Southern Energy • Tata Steel

Projects will match both the interests of the research engineer and the company.

Students should be of high academic calibre and merit and must satisfy the UK residency requirement. They will also need either a first class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject such as: Chemical, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Physics and Geology.

To apply, send a CV with a covering letter to Professor Colin Snape, Director of EngD Centre in Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies, Email: efet@nottingham.ac.uk. For more information about the EngD Centre and its research see: http://www.efetedc.ac.uk.

Engineering Doctorate Studentships

Reference : ENG613
Closing Date : Open until filled

Engineering Doctorate Centre in Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies

Engineering Doctorate Studentships

Led by The University of Nottingham involving collaboration with the University of Birmingham and Loughborough University

This EngD Centre will produce research leaders to tackle the major national and international challenges over the next 15 years in implementing new power plant to generate electricity more efficiently using fossil energy with near zero emissions, involving the successful demonstration of CO2 capture, and reducing CO2 emissions generally from coal utilisation, including iron making.

A number of Engineering Doctorate postgraduate studentships starting October 2012 are available. The EngD training provides:
• An in-depth four year training programme
• A non-taxed stipend of up to £20,000; much higher than a conventional PhD
• Approximately three years’ extensive research time in industry
• International travel for conferences and attending summer schools held in China and India
• Preparation for high-level careers in the energy sector

Students should be of high academic calibre and merit and must satisfy the UK residency requirement. They will also need either a first class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject such as: Chemical, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Metallurgy.

To apply, send a CV with a covering letter to Professor Colin Snape, Director of EngD Centre in Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies, Email: efet@nottingham.ac.uk. For more information about the EngD Centre and its research see: http://www.engineering.nottingham.ac.uk/efet.

University of Nottingham: PhD Studentships in the Faculty of Engineering in Partnership with The Children and Childhood Network

Reference : ENG693
Closing Date : 31 May 2013

As part of an exciting new partnership between The Faculty of Engineering and the University of Nottingham Children and Childhood Network (www.nottingham.ac.uk/children-and-childhood-network), a PhD studentship is available for a UK/EU student to work on an innovative project that will enhance the lives of vulnerable children in the UK or developing countries around the globe.

The Network has identified ‘Children in Adversity’ as a key research priority, supported by Impact: The Nottingham Campaign. They focus on some of the most pressing challenges confronting children today and tomorrow, including issues of early life nutrition and lifelong health; resiliency to different forms of adversity; and the interplay between children’s health and education.

To engage with the Network’s research programme, the Faculty of Engineering offers one fully-funded studentship (or two part-funded studentships) in one (or two) of the following areas.  In all cases students must have excellent written and oral presentation skills in addition to previous knowledge, experience and interests applicable for each topic as indicated:-

1.    Prevention of burns through improved design and use of cookstoves in sub-Saharan Africa.  Supervised by Dr Mike Clifford (Faculty of Engineering) & Dr Michael Watson (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences).
Candidate requirements: Demonstrated interest in appropriate technologies, cookstove design, child health. Previous experience with questionnaire design, conducting interviews and product design, would be beneficial, however, training in these areas will be provided.

2.   Educating Young Children in Developing Countries Through Social Architecture Projects. Supervised by Professor Tim Heath, (Architecture & Urbanism Research Division) & Dr Peter Rutherford (Energy & Sustainability Research Division).
Candidate requirements: Demonstrated interest in architecture design research and design in developing countries

3.    Development of personal protection equipment for children against terrorist attacks and accidents. Supervised by Dr Tao Liu (Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures).
Candidate requirements: Demonstrated interest in development of novel materials/structures. Previous experience with material impact test would be beneficial.

4.   The role of mobile technologies during the adolescent years and how they affect transition into adulthood. Supervised by Dr Alex Lang & Dr Sarah Atkinson (Human Factors Research Group)
Candidate requirements: Demonstrated interest in user centred and participatory design, pervasive technologies and their everyday use. Previous experience with young or vulnerable user populations would be beneficial.

Requirements of the studentship:
Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent), in subjects of relevance to one of the above topics.

The studentship will cover full PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,726 for the 2013-14 academic year), due to funding restrictions this studentship is only available to UK/EU students. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013, or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to Dr Sue Cobb, email:  sue.cobb@nottingham.ac.uk. To make an application, please send a covering letter stating which PhD topic you wish to apply for, your research interests and how you fulfill the requirements of the studentship.  Please provide a full CV, an academic transcript, and the names and addresses of two academic referees, to sue.cobb@nottingham.ac.uk.  Interview date: 10 June 2013

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Reference : ENG679
Closing Date : Open until filled

Faculty of Engineering - Division of Process and Environmental Engineering

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Mechanisms of S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAM) dependent Radical Enzymes

New targets for bacterial infection are urgently required, as is evident from the rapid resistance to traditional antibiotics.  Reports on the increasing prevalence of MRSA and C. difficile in our hospitals and XDR (extreme drug resistant) tuberculosis in African countries are all too familiar. Challenge in designing novel antibiotics comes in targeting systems that are unique to bacteria, yet crucial to their survival.  The SAM (S-adenosyl methionine) radical enzyme superfamily represents an important class of radical enzymes responsible for vitamin and cofactor synthesis, RNA methylation and other core processes for bacterial survival, especially under anaerobic conditions.  Potentially dangerous pathogens all contain SAM-radical sequences, making this class of enzymes a target with good potential for the development of new drugs.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to join the growing Biomechanism Engineering research team based in the Research Division of Process and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) at the University of Nottingham, a global top 75 University. The student will work in a dynamic research environment and as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers working towards a more complete understanding and utilisation of biochemical processes for a range of applications.

The student will design and undertake both quantum chemical and molecular dynamics computations to better understand both structural features common to the workings of SAM radical enzymes and the specific mechanisms involved in newly identified members of this class.  The student will also utilise statistical approaches in extracting information from genetic and structural datasets to develop generalised predictions for SAM radical enzyme mechanisms, and present the research locally and at international conferences. Training in experiments, theory and research methodology will be provided.
 
Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent), in chemistry, biochemistry, computational chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemical engineering or closely related disciplines such as computer science, physics or mathematics, with relevant background.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in biochemical mechanisms and computational modelling, and should have excellent written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with statistical analysis, quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics and/or software tools such as Gromacs and Gaussian would be beneficial.

The studentship will cover full PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year), restricted to UK/EU students. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013, or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to Dr Anna Croft, email: anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. To make an application, please send a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, your research interests and include a CV, an academic transcript, and the names and addresses of two academic referees, to anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. ENG/679. The position will remain open until filled.

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Reference : ENG680
Closing Date : Open until filled

Faculty of Engineering - Division of Process and Environmental Engineering

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Multi-scale Parallel Computer Modelling of Mycolic Acids from Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Do you have a desire to make a difference?  Tuberculosis claims over 17,000 lives per day, and with the rise of multi-drug resistant strains of M. Tb., along with challenges in diagnosis, particularly in HIV co-infected patients, Tuberculosis represents a major health threat for developed and developing nations alike.  One reason why TB is so hard to treat, is that it has a layer of molecules on the outside, called mycolic acids, that make it hard for any substances to get into the bacteria, including TB drugs.  By looking at how mycolic acids fold and developing a good theoretical model that agrees well with experimental data, this project will directly contribute to new approaches for drug-development and disease detection.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to join the growing Biomechanism Engineering research team based in the Research Division of Process and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) at the University of Nottingham, a global top 75 University. The student will work in a dynamic research environment and as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers working towards a more complete understanding and utilisation of biochemical processes for a range of applications. The research will involve interaction with computational scientists from IBM’s World Community Grid project (www.worldcommunitygrid.org), as well as other leading research groups in the areas of computational modelling and TB biochemistry.

The student will design and undertake molecular dynamics experiments to probe the structural flexibility and properties of a range of mycolic acids, both individually and within membrane systems, assist in the development of statistical models for the interpretation of the large datasets that will arise from this modelling, and present the research locally and at international conferences. Training in experiments, theory and research methodology will be provided.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent), in chemistry, biochemistry, computational chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemical engineering or closely related disciplines such as computer science, physics or mathematics, with relevant background.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in biochemical mechanisms and computational modelling, and should have excellent written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with statistical analysis, molecular dynamics and/or software tools such as Gromacs would be beneficial.
iii) 
The studentship will cover full PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year), restricted to UK/EU students.  The studentship is expected to start in September 2013, or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to Dr Anna Croft, email: anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. To make an application, please send a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, your research interests and include a CV, an academic transcript, and the names and addresses of two academic referees, to anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. ENG/680. The position will remain open until filled.

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Reference : ENG678
Closing Date : Open until filled

Faculty of Engineering - Division of Process and Environmental Engineering

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Phenolic Complexation and Antioxidant Properties

Green tea, berries and even seaweeds all contain antioxidants that are thought to confer major health benefits.  A major molecular contributor to these antioxidant properties are polyphenols, which are able to trap reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may otherwise damage proteins and lipids in the body.  These health benefits make polyphenols an attractive natural additive to increase the health-giving properties of foods.  Polyphenols are known to interact strongly with other biomolecules, including proteins, affording a route by which they might be included into other products, so-called ‘functional foods’. 

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to join the growing Biomechanism Engineering research team based in the Research Division of Process and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) at the University of Nottingham, a global top 75 University. The student will work in a dynamic research environment and as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers working towards a more complete understanding and utilisation of biochemical processes for a range of applications.

The student will design and undertake NMR measurements, coupled with both quantum chemical and molecular dynamics computations, to better understand how polyphenols interact with other biomolecules and how this may affect solubility and other physical/chemical properties.  The student will present the research locally and at international conferences. Training in experiments, theory and research methodology will be provided.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent), in chemistry, biochemistry, computational chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemical engineering or closely related disciplines such as computer science, physics or mathematics, with relevant background.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in biochemical mechanisms, NMR and computational modelling, and should have excellent written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with NMR analysis, quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics and/or software tools such as Gromacs and Gaussian would be beneficial.
iii) 
The studentship will cover full PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year), restricted to UK/EU students. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013, or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to Dr Anna Croft, email: anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. To make an application, please send a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, your research interests and include a CV, an academic transcript, and the names and addresses of two academic referees, to anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. ENG/678. The position will remain open until filled.

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Reference : ENG682
Closing Date : Open until filled

Faculty of Engineering - Division of Process and Environmental Engineering

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Ionic Liquids as solvents to generate new wool-based products

Wool is one of the UK’s primary products, although currently much UK-produced wool has a relatively low market value.  Increasing the value of UK wool, through the development of innovative new products, is thus a key target for improving the viability of the local farming sector.  Wool protein, including low-grade wool, can be dissolved in ionic liquids to make it accessible to chemical modification or combination with other biopolymers.  This is attractive for two reasons: Modification/combination allows new materials of high value to be produced from otherwise cheap starting materials, such as biomedical implants, wound dressings or high-value textiles; and the more than a million simple ionic liquids (ILs) available have a variety of physical properties that make them a highly-attractive system for process engineering.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to join the growing Biomechanism Engineering research team based in the Research Division of Process and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) at the University of Nottingham, a global top 75 University. The student will work in a dynamic research environment and as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers working towards a more complete understanding and utilisation of biochemical processes for a range of applications.   The student will work closely with our collaborators at UNSW in Australia, along with chemists and physicists in the UK.

The student will design and undertake both quantum chemical and molecular dynamics computations, with the aim of understanding both wool solubility in a range of ionic liquids, and reactivity of wool components.  There will be an opportunity to do additional experimental work locally, as well as to undertake neutron scattering experiments at the ISIS synchrotron facility in Oxfordshire, and present the research locally and at international conferences. Training in experiments, theory and research methodology will be provided.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent), in chemistry, biochemistry, computational chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemical engineering or closely related disciplines such as computer science, physics or mathematics, with relevant background.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in biochemical mechanisms and computational modelling, and should have excellent written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with ionic liquid chemistry, quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics and/or software tools such as Gromacs and Gaussian would be beneficial.

The studentship will cover full PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year), restricted to UK/EU students. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013, or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to Dr Anna Croft, email: anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. To make an application, please send a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, your research interests and include a CV, an academic transcript, and the names and addresses of two academic referees, to anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. ENG/682. The position will remain open until filled.

PhD Research Studentship (3 years) in Catalysis

Reference : ENG681
Closing Date : Open until filled

Biorenewables and Bioprocessing Research Group

PhD Research Studentship (3 years) in Catalysis

Applications are invited for a PhD Studentship (3 years) funded by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham to undertake research related to

The creation of artificial enzymes for catalytic organic reactions

Sustainable chemicals synthesis is a primary goal and a major challenge of modern chemical industry. A very attractive solution for minimizing energy consumption and waste generation is the use of catalysis. Enzymatic catalysts offer many benefits: they are prepared from renewable feedstocks, react in water and can afford high activities and selectivities. On the other hand, chemical catalysts are simpler to design and offer novel reactivities. To combine the advantages of both worlds, an attractive field has developed over the past decades: the creation of artificial enzymes, constructed by combining proteins with chemocatalysts.
 
The focus of the PhD project is the development of such artificial systems, containing unnatural catalytic metals incorporated into protein scaffolds. You will design and carry out experiments involving: a) the expression, purification and chemical modification of target proteins; b) the characterization of the modified proteins using spectroscopic techniques; c) the application of the modified proteins to the catalysis of organic reactions – in particular the reduction of imines to amines. You will be working in an interdisciplinary research environment and will interact with microbiologists and chemists, in a new lab equipped for developing bioproduction of chemicals from renewable feedstocks (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/engineering-rg/processandenvironmental/biorenewablesandbioprocessing/members/anca.pordea).

Applications are invited from students with a background in chemistry, biochemistry, (bio)chemical engineering or a related discipline, who have or expect to graduate with a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent). The studentship will cover full PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2013-14 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree / MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013, or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to Dr Anca Pordea, email: anca.pordea@nottingham.ac.uk. To apply, please contact Anca Pordea directly, with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship and your research interests, and include a CV, an academic transcript, and the names and addresses of two academic referees.

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Reference : ENG662
Closing Date : Open until filled

Strengthening of Concrete Structures with Textile Reinforced Mortars

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to join the growing Centre for Structural Engineering and Construction (CSEC) based in the Research Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures (Faculty of Engineering) at the University of Nottingham, a global top 75 University. The student will work in a dynamic research environment and as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers and will undertake research related to strengthening and seismic retrofitting of concrete structures with advanced materials.

The issue of upgrading concrete structures has been of great importance for over than 30 years or so due to their deterioration. The last may be attributed to ageing, environmental induced degradation, lack of maintenance, need for upgrading so that the existing structures will meet the current design requirements. In addition, seismic retrofit is at least equally important in high seismic risk areas. One of today’s state-of-the-art techniques is the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials. Despite the well-established advantages of the FRPs as a strengthening material, (high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, ease and speed of application, minimal change of cross section dimensions), the FRP strengthening technique entails a few drawbacks (poor behavior at high temperatures, high costs, inapplicability on wet surfaces or low temperatures), which are mainly attributed to the organic resins used to bind and impregnate the fibers. Recently, with the aim of addressing the above mentioned problems of FRPs, a new structural material was proposed, the so-called Textile-Reinforced Mortar (TRM).

This research will undertake a series of new investigations which are expecting to develop new novel applications of TRM as a strengthening material of concrete. The PhD student will be required to assist in the development and execution of experimental and computational work. 

Applications are invited from students of high academic merit with a background in structural engineering who have a good experimental experience and who have or expect to graduate with a first-class degree and a MSc with distinction or equivalents.

The student will be required to work within a civil/structural engineering laboratory environment and should have a strong background in structural engineering and constructions materials. Good communication skills will also be required. The PhD student will become part of the Centre for Structural Engineering and Construction (CSEC), which carries out research across the key disciplines of structural engineering. The centre has excellent laboratory facilities.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for 2013-14 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree/ MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent.

Informal enquiries or formal applications with a CV, a brief statement of your research interests, and the names and email addresses of two referees should be addressed to Dr Dionysios Bournas email: dionysios.bournas@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. ENG/662. This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Studentship (funded by Rolls-Royce plc)

Reference : ENG663
Closing Date : Open until filled

Weld repair strategies for fabricated aeroengine components

Fabricated (welded) structures exist throughout aeroengine architecture such as casings, bearing housings, ducting and other support structures.  The welding of these components induces complex residual stress fields due to thermal expansion/contraction and volumetric phase changes (if present in the material). Existing capabilities allow prediction of the residual stress present in welded components, however, there is a requirement to develop an understanding and modelling methodology for weld repairs in fabricated aeroengine components. Repair of components can be used to extend the life of damaged components if safe and correctly performed. Interaction between the thermal fields created by initial welds and weld repairs are complex, inducing microstructural changes, residual stresses and stress relaxation in the region of original welds. Through microstructural changes, the use of weld repair may also have a detrimental effect on the fatigue properties of the material.

This work will focus on developing an improved understanding of these interactions through experimentation and finite element modelling which will lead to the development of a validated weld repair strategy for aeroengine components.

The requirements for the full studentship are that students:
(i) should expect or have an upper second or first class undergraduate BEng or MEng degree OR expect or have an MSc with either Distinction, Merit, or other indicator of excellent performance;
(ii) can demonstrate a substantial amount of degree-level learning in mechanical engineering, preferably in the area of stress analysis. Familiarity with numerical modelling using Finite Elements would be an advantage.

The studentship will fully fund PhD registration fees for either HEU* or International Students. For an HEU student, a stipend will also be paid for three years; the stipend will be £15.6k (tax free) per annum.  Under normal circumstances only registration fee support will be provided for an International Student. The studentship is expected to start before July 2013 for a duration of three years.

* HEU – Home and EU. Term refers to all students from the UK and European Union

For informal enquiries prior to making an application please contact Dr Chris Bennett:  chris.bennett@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address cannot be accepted.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the “Engineering Faculty” in the online application system.  Please quote ref. ENG/663. This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Studentship

Reference : ENG692
Closing Date : Open until filled

Applications are invited for a 3 year PhD studentship to work jointly with researchers in the Institute for Biophysics, Imaging and Optical Sciences (IBIOS) and the George Green institute for Electromagnetics Research (GGIEMR), within the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham. The studentship covers tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend for the three-year duration of the project starting at £13,590 per annum and increasing with an annual increment.

Researchers in IBIOS carry out both experimental and theoretical studies in the areas of cell biophysics, advance optical and ultrasound imaging techniques and the development of novel CMOS cameras. While the research expertise of the GGIEMR lie in the development and application of numerical methods to simulate the interaction of electromagnetic fields with structures ranging from engineering components to biological systems. Both institutes have an ethos of multi-disciplinary research and have attracted considerable research funding from UK research councils and industrial partners alike.

The focus of this studentship will be the modelling of the electromagnetically induced deformation of a new class of biocompatible nano-transducers. These nano-transducers will be applied to a novel biomedical imaging technique to enable both diagnostics and the monitoring of tissue regeneration. This PhD studentship aims to (1) develop an electrohydrodynamic numerical model of nano-transducer deformation in the presence of a time varying electric field, (2) to implement a coarse-grain model of the nano-transducers in which the nano-transducer composition and size can be varied to produce input parameters necessary for the electrohydrodynamic numerical model, (3) validate the numerical model through the use of experimental data obtained in partnership with research fellows in IBIOS.

Requirements of the studentship:

i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class honours degree, or 2(i) with evidence of strong performance in project work, in physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a closely related discipline.
ii) In accordance with Research Council requirements, the studentship is available to home students and also EU students who have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the preceding 3 years. 

This studentship will be supervised jointly by Dr Melissa Mather (IBIOS) and Professor Dave Thomas (GGIEMR). Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr Mather, email: melissa.mather@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr Mather directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham  

The position will remain open until filled.

PhD Studentship: Institute of Biophysics, Imaging and Optical Sciences

Reference : ENG666
Closing Date : Open until filled

Applications are invited for a 3 year PhD studentship in the Institute for Biophysics, Imaging and Optical Sciences (IBIOS) within the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham. The studentship covers tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend for the three-year duration of the project starting at £13,590 pa and increasing with an annual increment.

The Institute of Biophysics, Imaging and Optical Sciences combines state of the art developments in optical technology with curiosity driven research into cellular biology (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ibios/). The multidisciplinary research the Institute conducts spans physical scales from sub-cellular to macroscopic tissue levels. Areas of active research include cell biophysics, advance optical and ultrasound imaging techniques and development of novel CMOS cameras. Further, the Institute hosts two platform grants in Bio-imaging and Advanced Ultrasonics and its members are investigators in the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine.

The focus of this studentship will be to probe and modulate the nano-mechanical properties of live cells to assess their potential as biomarkers of cell phenotype and viability. Experimentally, optical tweezers will be used to probe the nano-mechanical properties of the cell whilst low intensity stress will be applied to the cells via the use of ultrasound and/or electric fields. Optical tweezers is a technique originally developed in the 1980s where a micron-sized particle or cell can be trapped and manipulated in three-dimensions using a laser beam and a high numerical aperture microscope objective lens [1]. Optical tweezing is proving to be an invaluable add-on to many life science microscopes, with uses ranging from stretching DNA to observing the deformation properties of red blood cells [2]. At the same time low intensity electric fields and ultrasound are increasingly being used to apply stress to live cells, modulating their mechanical properties and in doing so enhancing the differentiation of stem cells and affecting cell metabolism [3].
This PhD studentship aims to (1) develop an optical tweezers instrument capable of trapping and applying sufficient force to deform live cells, (2) to apply mechanical stress to cells via electric and ultrasonic approaches, (3) integrate a fluorescence channel into the optical instrument to enable biological validation of nano-mechanical biomarkers (4) demonstrate the use of the instrument in the first instance on liposome cell models and then on live cells, for example red blood cells, mesenchymal stem cells. The studentship will involve a wide range of training in optical engineering, ultrasonics and cell culture.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class honours degree, or 2(i) with evidence of strong performance in project work, in physics, optical engineering, biomedical engineering or a closely related discipline.
ii) In accordance with Research Council requirements, the studentship is available to home students and also EU students who have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the preceding 3 years. 

This studentship will be supervised jointly by Dr Amanda Wright and Dr Melissa Mather. Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr Wright, email: amanda.wright@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr Wright directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham. Please quote ref. ENG/666. This studentship will reamin open until filled.

References
[1] J. E. Molloy, M. J. Padgett,  ‘Lights, action: optical tweezers’, Contemporary Physics, 43 (4), 241 -258 (2002).
[2] M. Dao, C. T. Lim, S. Suresh, ‘Mechanics of the human red blood cell deformed by optical tweezers’, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 51, 2259-2280, (2003).
[3] S. R. Park, B. H. Choi, B-H Min, ‘Low-Intensity Ultrasound (LIUS) as an Innovative Tool for Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)’, Organogenesis, 3(2), 74-78, (2007).

PhD Research Studentship

Reference : ENG683
Closing Date : Open until filled

Investigating the use of waste heat in small-scale renewable power generation

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) in the Research Division of Energy and Sustainability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team on a UK-India renewable energy project. The project is funded by the Research Council UK and is based in the Faculty of Engineering, in collaboration with other UK and Indian universities. The collaboration aims to design and manufacture a novel power generation system for a community in a remote district of India based on concentrated photovoltaic and anaerobic digestion. The efficiency of the overall system can be improved by utilising the waste heat, which will focus initially on vapour absorption refrigeration techniques. A prototype unit will be constructed for incorporation into the energy system being developed by the other collaborating parties.

The PhD project will seek to optimise the use of the waste heat and to integrate the devised refrigeration system into a power generation island to be sited in a remote village in India. Design skills and numerical modelling together with a practical development of the prototype will be involved in the design and development work. The studentship will involve liaising with the other collaborating universities involved in the project and developing a good understanding of the overall process in the power generation scheme. The student will work under the supervision of Prof Gavin Walker and Dr Donald Giddings as part of a vibrant interdisciplinary team.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or very good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline that includes courses in heat transfer and thermodynamics.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in thermo-fluid applications, and should have good written and oral presentation skills as well as strong analytical and practical skills. Previous experience with development of practical experimental test rigs would be an advantage.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees for UK/EU students and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year). An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree / MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. The studentship will start no later than October 2013.

The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering is one of the premier engineering faculties in the UK. The Faculty conducts research that has been recognised by the last Research Assessment Exercise as being world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Nottingham in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive environment in which to work. It provides state-of-the art experimental and computational facilities and attracts leading scholars from around the world, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr Donald Giddings, email: donald.giddings@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr Donald Giddings directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham. Please quote ref. ENG/683. This studentship will remain open until filled.

Please note that the 'Apply Online' facility (below) is not available for this post.

PhD Research Studentship - Building Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaics(PV) System

Reference : ENG697
Closing Date : 07 June 2013

Applications are invited for a PhD Studentship (3 years) funded by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham to undertake research related to Concentrating PV and integrate it into building.

It is widely accepted that the photovoltaic solar energy has the potential to meet a significant proportion of the world’s future energy needs. High cost and low efficiency are major barriers to their widespread adoption. The main technical challenge to increasing adoption of Photovoltaics (PV) is to increase conversion efficiencies, many of which are the result of cells overheating, thus making them more economically competitive with conventional power generation. This research will include the development of a novel Concentrating PV (CPV) system, and experimental testing and numerical simulation for the analysis of the system performance.

The PhD student will be required to undertake optical prediction to aid the system design, investigate the performance and stability of the designed CPV at controlled indoor environment and also outdoor environment, and develop heat transfer and electrical model to examine the CPV system to optimise its performance.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at MSc level in materials engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics or a closely related discipline.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in solar optics and thermal, CPV design, PV testing and numerical modelling, and should have good written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with PV testing and with software tools such as Matlab and Fluent/ANSYS would be beneficial.

The PhD student will become part of the Research Division of Energy and Sustainability, which is a multi-disciplinary research division that bring together expertise from built environment, chemical, material, etc engineering.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years. Due to funding restrictions this studentship is only available to UK/EU students. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013.

Informal enquiries or formal applications with a CV, a brief statement of your research interests, and the names and email addresses of two referees should be addressed to Dr Yupeng Wu, email: Yupeng.Wu@nottingham.ac.uk.

PhD Studentship

Reference : ENG630
Closing Date : Open until filled

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship in the theoretical design and optimization of all plastic solar cells.  Unlike traditional silicon solar cells, plastic solar cells can be made by simply printing layers of low cost conducting organic molecules onto flexible plastic substrates such as polyethylene. Consequently they offer the potential to be produced as cheaply as plastic food packaging. With recently reported energy conversion efficiencies of over 10% they offer the exciting prospect of a mass produced, low-cost, low-carbon energy source with the potential to solve the energy and carbon crisis. Despite this rapid increase in efficiencies there is still considerable debate surrounding the correct descriptions of the charge generation, transport, recombination and charge collection mechanisms. Understanding of these physical processes is essential if power conversion efficiencies are to be boosted to commercially viable levels.

The successful candidate will develop and use state-of-the-art theoretical/numerical models to investigate mobility, recombination and transport within plastic cells.  The candidate should expect to gain or hold a 1st or 1:2 in Physics, Material Science, Mathematics, Engineering or other related disciplines.  A good background in semiconductor physics, understanding concepts such as diode operation and the quasi-Fermi levels are essential. It would also be advantageous if the candidate had some laboratory experience and a willingness to perform experiments.  A knowledge of a C and Linux would be helpful but not essential. 

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for 2011-12 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree/ MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. 

To apply please send 1) a detailed CV; 2) results of all undergraduate exams sat so far; 3) the names and addresses of two referees and 4) a covering letter to Dr R. MacKenzie, email: roderick.mackenzie@nottingham.ac.uk.

Rockwell Collins studentship on a Flexible Approach to Navigation and Positioning Sensor Integration

Reference : ENG627
Closing Date : Open until filled

Nottingham Geospatial Institute

Rockwell Collins studentship on a Flexible Approach to Navigation and Positioning Sensor Integration

Applications are invited from suitably qualified graduates for a fully sponsored PhD studentship within the Nottingham Geospatial Institute in the Faculty of Engineering in collaboration with Rockwell Collins UK.

This studentship has been developed around a long-term interest by Rockwell Collins in positioning and navigation technology.  This PhD project will address a novel flexible approach to positioning sensor fusion, with the goal of producing a flexible software toolbox which can adapt to a changing mix of sensor input.  The software will be extensively tested using already available suites of sensor equipment across a variety of real and simulated environments.   There will be the opportunity to apply the research to both new and on-going research and development projects within Rockwell Collins.

The candidate must have high-grade qualification: at least the equivalent of a UK 1st or 2.1 class degree in a suitable engineering or science discipline which ideally should include aspects of satellite positioning technology and integrated sensor systems.  Strong candidates from mathematics, electronics and computer science are also encouraged to apply. The candidate must be prepared to travel to spend some time working with Rockwell Collins. They must be proficient in both written and spoken English, possess excellent presentation and communication skills and be capable to write reports (to sponsors) and academic papers.

Due to the nature of funding the studentship is available to UK/EU citizens. The PhD scholarship is offered for the duration of three years and will cover full university fees and an enhanced stipend.

Applications, with a detailed CV and names and addresses of two referees should be sent to
Professor Terry Moore, Nottingham Geospatial Institute, The University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, email: terry.moore@nottingham.ac.uk.

EPSRC CASE Award PhD Scholarship with Rolls-Royce

Reference : ENG653
Closing Date : Open until filled

EPSRC CASE Award PhD Scholarship with Rolls-Royce

Investigations on identifying methods for preliminary evaluation of machinability of new ni-
based superalloys 

Applications are invited from suitably qualified manufacturing/mechanical/material science graduate for a PhD studentship within the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Manufacturing Technology at the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering.  The Department has an excellent international reputation for high quality theoretical and experimental research funded by EPSRC, DTI, EU and manufacturing industry.

The Rolls-Royce funded Studentship is the result of the expanding machining activities sponsored at the Rolls-Royce UTC dealing with in-depth investigations of the response of difficult-to-cut materials to various machining operations in the scope of robust manufacture of safety critical aero-engine components.

The project will deal with the influence of different machining operations to understand the correlation between metallurgical aspects and machinability of the new Ni-based superalloys to efficiently support research in material development. This will involve using a wide range of sophisticated testing and analysis techniques including Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) for residual stress measurements, Finite Element simulations to enable the prediction of machinability of new nickel-based alloys.

This project will involve machining trials, workpiece surface quality analysis (e.g. metallurgy, integrity, residual stresses), followed by investigations on innovative methods to evaluate the machinability of new Ni-based superalloys. Internationally recognised Rolls-Royce specialists in the field will be available throughout the project to provide the PhD student with support and guidance if required.

For mutual interest the project can be offered as a "package" - this will include:

• Appropriate training within Rolls-Royce for a period to be agreed.  The training will enable the understanding of the technical issues related to the project, as well as developing a good partnership with the appropriate technical teams.
• Joint academic and industrial supervision.  In this way, the student will develop both academic and industrial skills with multiple career opportunities at the end of the PhD study.
• For PhD students wishing to pursue an academic career, the opportunity to participate in teaching activities will be sought.

The bursary covers the tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of approximately £1,200 per month for the duration of the project (three years) – starting from August/September 2013.  This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic first or upper second-class graduate in mechanical/manufacturing /materials science to build strong knowledge in both manufacturing and material science while building strong relationships with both academic and industrial areas at international level. Graduates finishing their degrees in June 2013 are also encouraged to apply. Due to the nature of funding only UK/EU applicants can be considered for this position.

The Research Group has excellent facilities in precision machining, material analysis, metrology/surface inspection to support this research project.  Students will benefit from the strategic partnerships with industry and collaborations with world-class specialists in manufacturing technologies.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. D. Axinte, tel: 0115 951 4117 or email: dragos.axinte@nottingham.ac.uk.

Applications, with a detailed CV and letter of application, together with the names and addresses of two referees, should be sent to directly to Prof. D. Axinte (dragos.axinte@nottingham.ac.uk). 

EPSRC Manufacturing Technology Engineering Doctorate Centre

Reference : ENG591
Closing Date : Open until filled

Industrial Doctorates for Research Engineers

The Manufacturing Technology Engineering Doctoral Centre is running an intensive four-year research programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in advanced manufacturing engineering. It will prepare manufacturing experts for the future and enhance the competitiveness of UK industry by rapidly transforming the latest manufacturing research results into industrial technologies.

We are seeking applicants from a variety of backgrounds, including manufacturing, mechanical, electrical/electronic and materials/metallurgy engineering, and applied sciences such as mathematics, chemistry, and physics who possess a minimum of an excellent first degree and can demonstrate an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.

This is an excellent opportunity to work on an industry-based manufacturing technology research project, gain an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) and develop leadership skills in preparation for a high-impact, high-technology research career in industry.

The scholarship on offer (to eligible students) comprises a tax-free stipend of c£20,000 a year, tuition fees paid and a generous study package (research consumables and travel budget).

The Centre is a partnership between three leading universities (The University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and the University of Birmingham), the Manufacturing Technology Centre, and industry (the current strategic industrial partners include Rolls-Royce, Airbus, and Aero Engine Controls). We are actively looking for additional industrial (manufacturing) partners.

Eligible students, termed ‘Research Engineers’, will benefit from:
• A generous fully-funded four-year Engineering Doctorate programme that integrates an industry based doctoral research project with research training in technical subjects and interdisciplinary skills.
• Supervision from international leaders in advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Access to facilities at the Manufacturing Technology Centre for training and research activities whilst working with industry.

The Manufacturing Technology Centre in Ansty, Warwickshire is a world-class facility with cutting-edge equipment and expertise to bridge the gap between research and industrial application. Research Engineers will have access to pre-production demonstrators to test and validate research before going into commercial production.

Themes for industrial research projects include - but are not restricted to:
• Advanced Tooling & Fixturing
• Net Shape Manufacture
• Intelligent Automation
• Assembly, Fabrication & Joining
• High Integrity Fabrication
• Simulation and Modelling
• Non-conventional machining
• Manufacturing informatics
• Electronics manufacturing
• NDT and metrology

See our website www.manufacturingedc.ac.uk for the latest information on potential research projects and thematic areas. These are constantly evolving.

Up to twenty scholarships are available for September 2012 entry (subject to fees status).
Overall we are looking to recruit forty Research Engineers by September 2014. 

Eligibility: The full scholarship (payment of fees and c£20,000 pa stipend) is available to “Home Fee” status applicants, and for EU applicants who meet the three-year UK residency criteria. EU applicants not meeting the three-year residency criteria will have their fees paid, but unfortunately are not eligible for stipend payments from the EPSRC grant made to the Centre. Students who are not eligible for this funding (e.g. International students) may be considered if they are able to obtain their own scholarship support or self-fund.
For further information or to apply, please go to our website: www.manufacturingedc.ac.uk. The downloadable application form also asks for CV, references and a research statement outlining the research area/project you are interested in. This opportunity will remain open until all places are filled and intake is up to September 2014.

Engineering Doctorate (EngD) – “The potential impact of Additive Manufacturing in precision instrument development and manufacture”.

Reference : ENG699
Closing Date : Open until filled

The Manufacturing Technology Engineering Doctoral Centre is running an intensive four-year research programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in advanced manufacturing engineering. It will prepare manufacturing experts for the future and enhance the competitiveness of UK industry by rapidly transforming the latest manufacturing research results into industrial technologies.

We are seeking students for an October 2013 start on a project with Malvern Instruments Ltd and the University of Nottingham titled “The potential impact of Additive Manufacturing in precision instrument development and manufacture”. The aim of this project is to assess the potential impact that Additive Manufacturing processes could have on the future development and manufacture of precision instruments at Malvern.

We are seeking students with:
• A sound general knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Experience of Additive Manufacturing processes is desirable
• A creative approach to problem solving
• An understanding of mechanical design principles
• Knowledge of techniques for process development and optimisation
• Experience of using computer aided design (CAD) software
• Good communication skills
• Good presentation skills
• Experience of working with industry will be an advantage

This is an excellent opportunity to work on an industry-based manufacturing technology research project, gain an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) and develop leadership skills in preparation for a high-impact, high-technology research career in industry.

The scholarship on offer (to eligible students) comprises a tax-free stipend of c£20,000 a year, tuition fees paid and a generous study package (research consumables and travel budget).

Students, termed ‘Research Engineers’, will benefit from:
• A generous fully-funded four-year Engineering Doctorate programme that integrates an industry based doctoral research project with research training in technical subjects and interdisciplinary skills.
• Supervision from international leaders in advanced manufacturing technologies.
The full scholarship (payment of fees and c£20,000 pa stipend) is available to “Home Fee” status applicants, and for EU applicants who meet the three-year UK residency criteria. EU applicants not meeting the three-year residency criteria will have their fees paid, but unfortunately are not eligible for stipend payments from the EPSRC grant made to the Centre. The studentship is expected to start in October 2013 start on an EngD with Malvern Instruments Ltd

For further information or to apply, please go to our website: www.manufacturingedc.ac.uk.
Contact the Centre Manager, David Shipley for further information, for an information and application pack, tel: 011595 13836 or e- mail: david.shipley@nottingham.ac.uk

Industrial Doctorate (EngD) - Advanced Stylus Manufacturing

Reference : ENG700
Closing Date : Open until filled

The Manufacturing Technology Engineering Doctoral Centre is running an intensive four-year research programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in advanced manufacturing engineering. It will prepare manufacturing experts for the future and enhance the competitiveness of UK industry by rapidly transforming the latest manufacturing research results into industrial technologies.

We are seeking students for an October 2013 start on a project with Taylor Hobson Ltd titled Advanced Stylus Manufacturing. The aim of this project is to develop a flexible yet robust manufacturing process for the fabrication of highly sensitive and complex measurement styli.

We are seeking candidates with:
• A sound general knowledge of manufacturing processes
• A creative approach to problem solving
• An understanding of mechanical design principles
• Knowledge of techniques for process development and optimisation
• Experience of using computer aided design (CAD) software
• Experience of using finite element analysis (FEA) software
• Good communication skills
• Good presentation skills
• Experience of working with industry will be an advantage

This is an excellent opportunity to work on an industry-based manufacturing technology research project, gain an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) and develop leadership skills in preparation for a high-impact, high-technology research career in industry.

The scholarship on offer (to eligible students) comprises a tax-free stipend of c£20,000 a year, tuition fees paid and a generous study package (research consumables and travel budget).

Students, termed ‘Research Engineers’, will benefit from:
• A generous fully-funded four-year Engineering Doctorate programme that integrates an industry based doctoral research project with research training in technical subjects and interdisciplinary skills.
• Supervision from international leaders in advanced manufacturing technologies.
The full scholarship (payment of fees and c£20,000 pa stipend) is available to “Home Fee” status applicants, and for EU applicants who meet the three-year UK residency criteria. EU applicants not meeting the three-year residency criteria will have their fees paid, but unfortunately are not eligible for stipend payments from the EPSRC grant made to the Centre. The studentship is expected to start in October 2013 start on an EngD with Taylor Hobson Ltd
 
For further information or to apply, please go to our website: www.manufacturingedc.ac.uk.
Contact the Centre Manager, David Shipley for further information, for an information and application pack, tel: 011595 13836 or e- mail: david.shipley@nottingham.ac.uk 

Industrial Doctorate (EngD) - Advanced Stylus Manufacturing

Reference : ENGTH1
Closing Date : Open until filled

The Manufacturing Technology Engineering Doctoral Centre is running an intensive four-year research programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in advanced manufacturing engineering. It will prepare manufacturing experts for the future and enhance the competitiveness of UK industry by rapidly transforming the latest manufacturing research results into industrial technologies.

We are seeking applicants for an immediate start on a project with Taylor Hobson Ltd titled Advanced Stylus Manufacturing. The aim of this project is to develop a flexible yet robust manufacturing process for the fabrication of highly sensitive and complex measurement styli.

We are seeking candidates with:
• A sound general knowledge of manufacturing processes
• A creative approach to problem solving
• An understanding of mechanical design principles
• Knowledge of techniques for process development and optimisation
• Experience of using computer aided design (CAD) software
• Experience of using finite element analysis (FEA) software
• Good people and communication skills
• Good presentation skills
• Experience of working with industry will be an advantage

This is an excellent opportunity to work on an industry-based manufacturing technology research project, gain an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) and develop leadership skills in preparation for a high-impact, high-technology research career in industry.

The scholarship on offer (to eligible students) comprises a tax-free stipend of c£20,000 a year, tuition fees paid and a generous study package (research consumables and travel budget).

Eligible students, termed ‘Research Engineers’, will benefit from:
• A generous fully-funded four-year Engineering Doctorate programme that integrates an industry based doctoral research project with research training in technical subjects and interdisciplinary skills.
• Supervision from international leaders in advanced manufacturing technologies.

Eligibility: The full scholarship (payment of fees and c£20,000 pa stipend) is available to “Home Fee” status applicants, and for EU applicants who meet the three-year UK residency criteria. EU applicants not meeting the three-year residency criteria will have their fees paid, but unfortunately are not eligible for stipend payments from the EPSRC grant made to the Centre.
For further information or to apply, please go to our website: www.manufacturingedc.ac.uk.
Contact the Centre Manager for further information for an information and application pack.
Centre Manager: David Shipley
Email: david.shipley@nottingham.ac.uk
Tel: 011595 13836

Industrial Doctorate (EngD) - Flexible Systems & New Processes for Electrical Generator Manufacture (Cummins)

Reference : ENG698
Closing Date : Open until filled

The Manufacturing Technology Engineering Doctoral Centre is running an intensive four-year research programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in advanced manufacturing engineering. It will prepare manufacturing experts for the future and enhance the competitiveness of UK industry by rapidly transforming the latest manufacturing research results into industrial technologies.

We are seeking students for an anticipated October 2013 start on a project with Cummins Generator Technologies a division of Cummins titled Flexible Systems & New Processes for Electrical Generator Manufacture.

Cummins Generator Technologies is a global manufacturer of a range of generator families. Product variation, factory specific challenges and rapidly changing customer trends all impose significant burdens upon the flexibility of the manufacturing systems currently deployed. It is proposed that advanced tooling and fixturing solutions will allow step changes in this respect by reducing standard hours in labour intensive stations. The projects will involve a root and branch appraisal of the flexibility of Cummins facilities in terms of their ability to respond to the manufacturing and customer challenges that will become prevalent in the next 5-20 years, and address issues by driving implementation of new processes with demonstrable advantages over ‘traditional approaches’.

This is an excellent opportunity to work on an industry-based manufacturing technology research project, gain an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) and develop leadership skills in preparation for a high-impact, high-technology research career in industry.

The scholarship on offer comprises a tax-free stipend of c£20,000 a year, tuition fees paid and a generous study package (research consumables and travel budget).

Students, termed ‘Research Engineers’, will benefit from:
• A generous fully-funded four-year Engineering Doctorate programme that integrates an industry based doctoral research project with research training in technical subjects and interdisciplinary skills.
• Supervision from international leaders in advanced manufacturing technologies.

The full scholarship (payment of fees and c£20,000 pa stipend) is available to “Home Fee” status applicants, and for EU applicants who meet the three-year UK residency criteria. EU applicants not meeting the three-year residency criteria will have their fees paid, but unfortunately are not eligible for stipend payments from the EPSRC grant made to the Centre. The studentship is expected to start in October 2013 start on an EngD project with Cummins

For further information or to apply, please go to our website: www.manufacturingedc.ac.uk.
Contact the Centre Manager, David Shipley for further information, for an information and application pack, tel: 011595 13836 or e- mail: david.shipley@nottingham.ac.uk 

PhD Research Studentships - Cyber-Physical Assembly Systems

Reference : ENG687
Closing Date : Open until filled

This is one of the premier engineering departments in the UK. It has an international reputation for research, and was ranked joint 4th in Unit 28 in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Mechanical Engineering at Nottingham was rated 6th in the Guardian and 11th in The Times in recent university league tables.

Applications are invited for fully funded PhD studentships at The University of Nottingham in a number of areas. The research projects will benefit from a close collaboration with large companies such as Ford UK, Electrolux Italy, Fiat, and a number of other industrial and research partners across Europe.

The design of assembly systems is a complex and experience intense process which requires a lot of time and effort making it difficult to change existing systems and explore many design alternatives. The concept of cyber-physical systems explores the link between the actual physical equipment used in assembly and how they can be integrated to form different assembly system solutions in the virtual world. This project will focus on exploring the links between the product requirements and performance characteristics for an assembly system and how the capabilities of available equipment can be used to from valid system configurations. Knowledge modelling techniques and semantic reasoning will be investigated to support the design process and eliminate repetitive and time consuming tasks.

Students should have research interests in one or more of the following areas:
• Assembly system design
• Knowledge-based systems
• Semantic reasoning

All students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree or MSc in engineering, operations management, computer science, applied mathematics or a related subject. Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team as well as independently are essential.

Experience with software tools such as Matlab and experience with programming languages such as Java or C# would be beneficial.

The studentship covers fees at the home student rate and a tax-free maintenance allowance up to £15,000 per annum (for UK/EU students only). Funding opportunities for non UK/EU students are also available through the Dean of Engineering Scholarship program of the University of Nottingham (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/internationalstudents/scholarshipsfeesfinance/scholarships/scholarshipdetails/research-dean-engineering.aspx).

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr N Lohse, email: Niels.Lohse@Nottingham.ac.uk.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the “Engineering Faculty” in the online application system.  

This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Research Studentships - Distributed Prognostics for Self-Healing Production Systems

Reference : ENG689
Closing Date : Open until filled

This is one of the premier engineering departments in the UK. It has an international reputation for research, and was ranked joint 4th in Unit 28 in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Mechanical Engineering at Nottingham was rated 6th in the Guardian and 11th in The Times in recent university league tables.

Applications are invited for fully funded PhD studentships at The University of Nottingham in a number of areas. The research projects will benefit from a close collaboration with large companies such as Ford UK, Electrolux Italy, Fiat, and a number of other industrial and research partners across Europe.

The motivation is to enable future production systems to be able to adjust themselves in response to disturbances, effectively becoming self-healing. The aim will be to investigate Bayesian models for prognosis of eminent faults and expected performance deterioration in production systems and link this to the most appropriate corrective actions. The focus will be on developing models which can be distributed and embedded into intelligent devices used to build complex manufacturing systems. Each device will monitor its own behaviour and will have embedded strategies to maintain its own operational performance. Devices will need to be able to adapt their behaviour and learn from experience understand the context in which they operate. To support this, methods for Bayesian model learning and model creation from manufacturing system design information will be explored.

Students should have research interests in one or more of the following areas:
• Diagnostics and prognostics
• Bayesian theory
• Machine learning
• Model adaptive control
 
All students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree or MSc in engineering, operations management, computer science, applied mathematics or a related subject. Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team as well as independently are essential.

Experience with software tools such as Matlab and experience with programming languages such as Java or C# would be beneficial.

The studentship covers fees at the home student rate and a tax-free maintenance allowance up to £15,000 per annum (for UK/EU students only). Funding opportunities for non UK/EU students are also available through the Dean of Engineering Scholarship program of the University of Nottingham (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/internationalstudents/scholarshipsfeesfinance/scholarships/scholarshipdetails/research-dean-engineering.aspx).

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr N Lohse, email: Niels.Lohse@Nottingham.ac.uk.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the “Engineering Faculty” in the online application system. 

This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Research Studentships - Intelligent Sensor Networks for Self-Health Monitoring Systems

Reference : ENG685
Closing Date : Open until filled

This is one of the premier engineering departments in the UK. It has an international reputation for research, and was ranked joint 4th in Unit 28 in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Mechanical Engineering at Nottingham was rated 6th in the Guardian and 11th in The Times in recent university league tables.

Applications are invited for fully funded PhD studentships at The University of Nottingham in a number of areas. The research projects will benefit from a close collaboration with large companies such as Ford UK, Electrolux Italy, Fiat, and a number of other industrial and research partners across Europe.

The motivation for this project is to create sensor networks which are extendable for plug-and-produce production systems. The research will focus on investigation models for distributed data storage in sensor networks, delay and fault tolerant communication and data fusion methods. Intelligent sensor nodes will be developed and linked to the concept of sensor data clouds. The use of energy harvesting technology will be explored to enable low cost self-sustaining sensor solutions. Links to advanced intelligent devices such as smart phones and sensor enhanced computers and controllers will be investigated as part of the sensor data cloud concept.

Students should have research interests in one or more of the following areas:
• Intelligent sensor networks
• Embedded systems
• Energy harvesting devices
• Data fusion

All students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree or MSc in engineering, operations management, computer science, applied mathematics or a related subject. Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team as well as independently are essential.

Experience with software tools such as Matlab and experience with programming languages such as Java or C# would be beneficial.

The studentship covers fees at the home student rate and a tax-free maintenance allowance up to £15,000 per annum (for UK/EU students only). Funding opportunities for non UK/EU students are also available through the Dean of Engineering Scholarship program of the University of Nottingham (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/internationalstudents/scholarshipsfeesfinance/scholarships/scholarshipdetails/research-dean-engineering.aspx).

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr N Lohse, email: Niels.Lohse@Nottingham.ac.uk.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the “Engineering Faculty” in the online application system.

This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Research Studentships – Self-Organising Production Systems

Reference : ENG686
Closing Date : Open until filled

This is one of the premier engineering departments in the UK. It has an international reputation for research, and was ranked joint 4th in Unit 28 in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Mechanical Engineering at Nottingham was rated 6th in the Guardian and 11th in The Times in recent university league tables.

Applications are invited for fully funded PhD studentships at The University of Nottingham in a number of areas. The research projects will benefit from a close collaboration with large companies such as Ford UK, Electrolux Italy, Fiat, and a number of other industrial and research partners across Europe.

The motivation is to create new control and dynamic scheduling approaches for complex production systems to respond quicker, more reliably and with a higher degree of autonomy to internal and external changes. The aim will be to investigate nature inspired models for self-organisation in complex systems and develop reliable methods for future production systems to organise themselves. Industrial agent technology will be explored in combination with negotiation protocols to create intelligent devices capable of integrating themselves into complex systems and through interaction with others respond reliably to a wide range of disturbances and changes.

Students should have research interests in one or more of the following areas:
• Distributed control
• Agent-based systems
• Embedded intelligent systems
• Dynamic scheduling
• Multi-objective optimisation

All students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree or MSc in engineering, operations management, computer science, applied mathematics or a related subject. Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team as well as independently are essential.

Experience with software tools such as Matlab and experience with programming languages such as Java or C# would be beneficial.

The studentship covers fees at the home student rate and a tax-free maintenance allowance up to £15,000 per annum (for UK/EU students only). Funding opportunities for non UK/EU students are also available through the Dean of Engineering Scholarship program of the University of Nottingham (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/internationalstudents/scholarshipsfeesfinance/scholarships/scholarshipdetails/research-dean-engineering.aspx).

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr N Lohse, email: Niels.Lohse@Nottingham.ac.uk.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the “Engineering Faculty” in the online application system.  

This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Studentship

Reference : ENG636
Closing Date : Open until filled

EPSRC Manufacturing Technology Engineering Doctorate Centre
Industrial Doctorate (EngD) - Flexible Systems & New Processes for Electrical Generator Manufacture (Cummins)

The Manufacturing Technology Engineering Doctoral Centre is running an intensive four-year research programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in advanced manufacturing engineering. It will prepare manufacturing experts for the future and enhance the competitiveness of UK industry by rapidly transforming the latest manufacturing research results into industrial technologies.

We are seeking students for an immediate start on projects with Cummins Generator Technologies within a division of Cummins titled Flexible Systems & New Processes for Electrical Generator Manufacture.

Cummins Generator Technologies is a global manufacturer of a range of generator families. Product variation, factory specific challenges and rapidly changing customer trends all impose significant burdens upon the flexibility of the manufacturing systems currently deployed. It is proposed that advanced tooling and fixturing solutions will allow step changes in this respect by reducing standard hours in labour intensive stations. The projects will involve a root and branch appraisal of the flexibility of Cummins facilities in terms of their ability to respond to the manufacturing and customer challenges that will become prevalent in the next 5-20 years, and address issues by driving implementation of new processes with demonstrable advantages over ‘traditional approaches’.

This is an excellent opportunity to work on an industry-based manufacturing technology research project, gain an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) and develop leadership skills in preparation for a high-impact, high-technology research career in industry.

The scholarship on offer (to eligible students) comprises a tax-free stipend of c£20,000 a year, tuition fees paid and a generous study package (research consumables and travel budget).

Eligible students, termed ‘Research Engineers’, will benefit from:
• A generous fully-funded four-year Engineering Doctorate programme that integrates an industry based doctoral research project with research training in technical subjects and interdisciplinary skills.
• Supervision from international leaders in advanced manufacturing technologies.

Eligibility: The full scholarship (payment of fees and c£20,000 pa stipend) is available to “Home Fee” status applicants, and for EU applicants who meet the three-year UK residency criteria. EU applicants not meeting the three-year residency criteria will have their fees paid, but unfortunately are not eligible for stipend payments from the EPSRC grant made to the Centre.

For further information or to apply, please go to our website: www.manufacturingedc.ac.uk.
Contact the David Shipley (Centre Manager) Email: david.shipley@nottingham.ac.uk Tel: 0115 951 3836. Please quote ref. ENG636. This studentship will remain open until filled.

Please note that the 'Apply Online' facility (below) is not available for this post.

PhD Studentship

Reference : ENG512
Closing Date : Open until filled

The University of Nottingham is one of the leading internationally renowned research universities in the UK and the Department was awarded a 5* in the last RAE. The Precision Manufacturing Centre at the University of Nottingham is a world leading research centre delivering next generation manufacturing technologies. The research activities are supported by a wide range of state of the art equipment and infrastructure. Fully funded three year research studentships are available for suitable home and EU candidates in the following areas:

• micro electro discharge machining (EDM)
• focused ion beam fabrication (FIB)
• ultra-precision metrology
• micro assembly
• micro-injection moulding
• smart manufacturing cells and systems
• ultra-precision milling and turning
• manufacturing process chains and variability management
• self-learning and self-adaptive tooling and systems
• design for micro-manufacture and assembly
• micro-additive manufacturing

Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first or 2.1 UK honours degree or equivalent in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, physics or related disciplines. They should be confident, have good communication skills and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

This studentship is only available to UK or EU citizens due to funding restrictions and covers tuition fees at the UK rate and an enhanced bursary over three years.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Peter Kinnell, tel: 0115 846 7680, email: peter.kinnell@nottingham.ac.uk or Professor Svetan Ratchev, email: svetan.ratchev@nottingham.ac.uk. 

Application forms and notes of guidance are available at: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx.  Applications should be sent to Miss R Watson, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD. Email: rachel.watson@nottingham.ac.uk.

PhD Studentship - Innovative tooling and techniques for dressing complex geometry grinding wheels for aerospace applications

Reference : ENG596
Closing Date : Open until filled

Applications are invited for the above post within the Machining and Condition Monitoring – MCM – Research Group (see: http://www.mcm.nottingham.ac.uk) in the Division of Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. The Department has an excellent international reputation for high quality theoretical and experimental research funded by EPSRC, DTI, EU and manufacturing industry.

The studentship is available in the following research area: development of advanced wear-resistant and cost-effective dressers for profiling tight and complex geometry grinding wheels used on tight toleranced parts made of Ni-based superalloys.

The project is funded directly by EWHA Diamond Industrial Tool based in South Korea, one of the leading diamond tool manufacturers in the world, and - by Rolls-Royce Plc., world leader in manufacturing of gas turbine engines.

The following main research steps will be addressed:
(1) research on characterisation and understanding of the wear behaviour of state-of-the-art roller dressers depending on particular geometries and its influence on the geometry and cutting ability of the grinding wheels;
(2) development of novel dressing tool designs to improve dressing efficiency and minimise the wear rates;

While the research will exploit the background knowledge that both EWHA and Rolls-Royce have in the field, the student will make use of recent work of University of Nottingham in the field of diamond structuring and thus to conduct grinding tests and perform analysis of the dressing efficiency and part accuracy.

Students must have a first or upper second class academic qualification in mechanical/manufacturing/materials engineering or in a related discipline; undergraduate students completing their studies in July 2012 are eligible.  Due to the nature of funding only UK/EU applicants will be considered for this position.

This PhD studentship will be based at Rolls-Royce UTC at The University of Nottingham for a period of 3 years starting from 1 October 2012, and will include a bursary which covers the full tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of £14,000 per annum for the duration of the studentship.

Applications, with a detailed CV and the names and addresses of two referees should be sent to: Prof. D Axinte, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD. Email: Dragos.Axinte@Nottingham.ac.uk. This studentship will remain open until filled. 

PhD Studentship in Multi-Functional Additive Manufacturing by Ultrasonic Consolidation

Reference : ENG614
Closing Date : Open until filled

Faculty of Engineering – Division of Manufacturing within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing

The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing will be led from the University of Nottingham from July 1, 2012, with Loughborough University as a partner. The aim of this EPSRC Centre is to work at the forefront of Additive Manufacturing and Three Dimensional (3D) Printing research with a focus on next-generation, multi-material and multifunctional Additive Manufacturing systems for the production of end-use functionalised 3D structures and components.

As part of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing, a full-time funded PhD studentship is available at the University of Nottingham’s main University Park Campus. The University of Nottingham is nationally and internationally renowned as a leading research intensive Institution that ranks highly in the latest international league tables for both teaching and research excellence. This, combined with our overseas campuses in China and Malaysia, makes the University of Nottingham a truly global and world-class institution.

Stemming from the world’s leading research group in the field that has recently transferred to the University of Nottingham, the research to be undertaken within the EPSRC Centre will focus on the investigation of new processes and design systems to support the manufacture of end-use, multifunctional products via 3D Printing. The major research theme of the EPSRC Centre is therefore to concentrate on enabling greater potential value and application by integrating additional engineering or systems functionality within a single component. The research is also aimed at exploiting the unrivalled design freedoms associated with 3D Printing to enable next generation products demanded by key industrial partners.

The aim of the project associated with the advertised studentship is to realise an entirely new realm of multifunctional components by the freeform integration of electrical circuitry within dense metal components processed in the solid-state. This will allow the fabrication of novel engineered components as a result of the solid state nature of the Ultrasonic Consolidation (UC) process that will allow the integration of a wide variety of components due to the absence of elevated bulk temperatures. This research will be conducted with three PhD students working within a wider research team comprising of academics, post-doctoral researchers, and technical staff at both Loughborough University and the University of Nottingham. Although operating as part of a collaborative aim, the studentship advertised will primarily research the FEA modelling of the process, working within a larger group investigating the use of computational methods in the design, optimisation, analysis and process modelling for additive manufacture.

The studentship is due to start 1st October 2012, cover tuition fees and provide a tax-free stipend for the three-year duration of the project starting at £13,590 pa. and increasing with an annual increment. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree/ MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. This studentship provides tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only. Students must have a first or upper second class academic qualification in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant engineering discipline. A Masters degree in a similar discipline and/or experience in the following will be an advantage: finite element analysis, computational mechanics, structural analysis, multi-physics analysis, additive manufacturing.

Please direct informal enquiries to Prof Ian Ashcroft, via the EPSRC Centre Coordinator (Martin Baumers) by e-mail to martin.baumers@nottingham.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)115 9513877.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the Department of Mechanical, Materials & Manufacturing.  These studentships will remain open until filled.

PhD Studentship within the EPSRC Centre

Reference : ENG603
Closing Date : Open until filled

PhD Studentship within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing, University of Nottingham - Jetting of Reactive Polymers for Mechanical and Biological Applications

The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing will be led from the University of Nottingham from July 1, 2012, with Loughborough University as a partner. The aim of this EPSRC Centre is to work at the forefront of Additive Manufacturing and Three Dimensional (3D) Printing research with a focus on next-generation, multi-material and multifunctional Additive Manufacturing systems for the production of end-use functionalised 3D structures and components.
As part of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing, a full-time funded PhD studentship is available at the University of Nottingham’s main University Park Campus. The University of Nottingham is nationally and internationally renowned as a leading research intensive Institution that ranks highly in the latest international league tables for both teaching and research excellence. This, combined with our overseas campuses in China and Malaysia, makes the University of Nottingham a truly global and world-class institution.

Stemming from the world’s leading research group in the field that has recently transferred to the University of Nottingham, the research to be undertaken within the EPSRC Centre will focus on the investigation of new processes and design systems to support the manufacture of end-use, multifunctional products via 3D Printing. The major research theme of the EPSRC Centre is therefore to concentrate on enabling greater potential value and application by integrating additional engineering or systems functionality within a single component. The research is also aimed at exploiting the unrivalled design freedoms associated with 3D Printing to enable next generation products demanded by key industrial partners.

An exciting area of development is the manufacture of products that are resorbed during biological processes, releasing stored drugs and chemistry. This studentship aims to predict the release rate of pharmaceutical drugs or their phantoms from biosorbable materials as a function of degradation. This will involve mechanical, materials and chemical kinetics modelling using multiphysics software and subsequent validation using experimental techniques.

The studentship is due to start 1 October 2012, cover tuition fees and provide a tax-free stipend for the three-year duration of the project starting at £13,590 pa. and increasing with an annual increment. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree/ MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent.  This studentship provides tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only. Students must have a first or upper second class academic qualification in Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or other relevant engineering discipline. A Masters degree in a similar discipline and/or experience in the following will be an advantage: Sensors, Additive Manufacturing, Optics.

Please direct informal enquiries to the EPSRC Centre Director, Prof Richard Hague, via the EPSRC Centre Coordinator (Martin Baumers) by e-mail to martin.baumers@nottingham.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)115 9513877.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the Department of Mechanical, Materials & Manufacturing. This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Studentship within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing

Reference : ENG601
Closing Date : Open until filled

PhD Studentship within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing, University of Nottingham - Nano-functionalised Optical Sensors

The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing will be led from the University of Nottingham from July 1, 2012, with Loughborough University as a partner. The aim of this EPSRC Centre is to work at the forefront of Additive Manufacturing and Three Dimensional (3D) Printing research with a focus on next-generation, multi-material and multifunctional Additive Manufacturing systems for the production of end-use functionalised 3D structures and components.

As part of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing, a full-time funded PhD studentship is available at the University of Nottingham’s main University Park Campus. The University of Nottingham is nationally and internationally renowned as a leading research intensive Institution that ranks highly in the latest international league tables for both teaching and research excellence. This, combined with our overseas campuses in China and Malaysia, makes the University of Nottingham a truly global and world-class institution.

Stemming from the world’s leading research group in the field that has recently transferred to the University of Nottingham, the research to be undertaken within the EPSRC Centre will focus on the investigation of new processes and design systems to support the manufacture of end-use, multifunctional products via 3D Printing. The major research theme of the EPSRC Centre is therefore to concentrate on enabling greater potential value and application by integrating additional engineering or systems functionality within a single component. The research is also aimed at exploiting the unrivalled design freedoms associated with 3D Printing to enable next generation products demanded by key industrial partners.

This studentship aims to produce lab-on-a-chip and other sensor systems, such as microfluidic or Fabry-Perot sensors based on the Stereolithography (SLA) principle and further enhance these structures with optical trapping techniques to add functionality, e.g. create a biochemical assay. The studentship will concentrate on the use of holographic optical tweezers for the nano-positioning of nano-beads and incorporation into macro-structures produced via SLA.

The studentship is due to start 1 October 2012, cover tuition fees and provide a tax-free stipend for the three-year duration of the project starting at £13,590 pa. and increasing with an annual increment. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree/ MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent.  This studentship provides tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only. Students must have a first or upper second class academic qualification in Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or other relevant engineering discipline. A Masters degree in a similar discipline and/or experience in the following will be an advantage: Sensors, Additive Manufacturing, Optics.

Please direct informal enquiries to the EPSRC Centre Director, Prof Richard Hague, via the EPSRC Centre Coordinator (Martin Baumers) by e-mail to martin.baumers@nottingham.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)115 9513877.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the Department of Mechanical, Materials & Manufacturing. This studentship will remain open until filled.

Two PhD Studentships within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing

Reference : ENG602
Closing Date : Open until filled

Two PhD Studentships within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing, University of Nottingham - Finite Element Modelling, Graded Lattice Design, Analysis and Manufacture of Multifunctional Devices

The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing will be led from the University of Nottingham from July 1, 2012, with Loughborough University as a partner. The aim of this EPSRC Centre is to work at the forefront of Additive Manufacturing and Three Dimensional (3D) Printing research with a focus on next-generation, multi-material and multifunctional Additive Manufacturing systems for the production of end-use functionalised 3D structures and components.

As part of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing, two full-time funded PhD studentships are available at the University of Nottingham’s main University Park Campus. The University of Nottingham is nationally and internationally renowned as a leading research intensive Institution that ranks highly in the latest international league tables for both teaching and research excellence. This, combined with our overseas campuses in China and Malaysia, makes the University of Nottingham a truly global and world-class institution.

Stemming from the world’s leading research group in the field that has recently transferred to the University of Nottingham, the research to be undertaken within the EPSRC Centre will focus on the investigation of new processes and design systems to support the manufacture of end-use, multifunctional products via 3D Printing. The major research theme of the EPSRC Centre is therefore to concentrate on enabling greater potential value and application by integrating additional engineering or systems functionality within a single component. The research is also aimed at exploiting the unrivalled design freedoms associated with 3D Printing to enable next generation products demanded by key industrial partners.

The aim of the studentships is to develop analysis methods and optimisation algorithms that will enable the effective and efficient design and optimisation of multi-functional AM devices and to develop a design tool for use in industry. The project will be conducted with PhD students working within a wider research team comprising of academics, post-doctoral researchers, and technical staff. Operating as part of a collaborative aim, the candidates will broadly specialise in researching efficient methods of designing graded lattices, handling large finite element models and carrying large data sets through design, analysis and manufacture.

These studentships are due to start 1 October 2012, cover tuition fees and provide a tax-free stipend for the three-year duration of the project starting at £13,590 pa. and increasing with an annual increment. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree/ MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent.  These studentships provide tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only. Entry requirements include a good Bachelors degree (minimum upper second class) in Engineering, Applied Science or a related subject.

Please direct informal enquiries to the EPSRC Centre Director, Prof Richard Hague, via the EPSRC Centre Coordinator (Martin Baumers) by e-mail to martin.baumers@nottingham.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)115 9513877.

Application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select the Department of Mechanical, Materials & Manufacturing. These studentships will remain open until filled.

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years) - Manufacturing and engineering properties of oriented glassy polymers

Reference : ENG584
Closing Date : Open until filled

PhD Research Studentship (funded by the STFC) Manufacture and Structural Characterisation of Resorbable Phosphate-Glass Microspheres

Reference : ENG677
Closing Date : Open until filled

Manufacture and Structural Characterisation of Resorbable Phosphate-Glass Microspheres for Bone Repair Applications

The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering is one of the premier engineering faculties in the UK. The Faculty conducts research that has been recognised by the last Research Assessment Exercise as being world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Nottingham in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive environment in which to work and houses state-of-the art experimental facilities.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3.5 years) based in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham and some of the research activities will take place at ISIS (http://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk). 

The post is funded by the STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council) and the project will involve manufacture and characterisation (including structural analysis) of resorbable phosphate-based glass microspheres for bone repair applications. The student will work under the supervision of Dr Ifty Ahmed, Dr Emma Barney, Dr Andy Kennedy and Professor Alex Hannon (ISIS).

The project will involve production of phosphate-based glass formulations doped with varying modifier oxides. Characterisation in terms of degradation profiles and thermal analysis will be conducted and up to 6 months of this project will be spent at ISIS (with Prof Hannon) learning structural characterisation methods. In addition, novel methods to introduce porosity within the microspheres will also be explored. A key component of this studentship will be focussing on using existing knowledge to scale-up the microsphere manufacturing process. 

Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in materials or mechanical engineering, inorganic chemistry, chemical engineering, physics or a closely related discipline.

i) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in Biomaterials and Bioengineering
ii) Show some reasonable understanding of how materials are manufactured and characterised
iii) Show some understanding and interest in structural characterisation at the atomic level
iv) Must be comfortable with using mathematical equations to describe and model physical processes and structures

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for 3.5 years (of £13,590 per year) for UK/EU students only. The studentship is expected to start on October 1st 2013.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr Ifty Ahmed (email: ifty.ahmed@nottingham.ac.uk) or Dr Emma Barney email: Emma.Barney@nottingham.ac.uk). If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr Ifty Ahmed directly, with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham.

PhD Research Studentship - Process optimisation in resorbable nanocomposites

Reference : ENG649
Closing Date : Open until filled

Process optimisation in resorbable nanocomposites

The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering is one of the premier engineering faculties in the UK. The Faculty conducts research that has been recognised by the last Research Assessment Exercise as being world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Nottingham in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive environment in which to work. It provides state-of-the art experimental and computational facilities and attracts leading scholars from around the world, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) in the Research Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures to work as part of an interdisciplinary team on the project “Integrated Molecular Design of Melt-processable Bioresorbable Engineering Nanocomposites for Health-Care” (BENcH). The BENcH project is funded by the EPSRC and is based in the Faculty of Engineering, with expertise drawn from a number of other departments. It is a collaboration brought together to design and manufacture novel polymer nanocomposite materials for healthcare. The composites will comprise unique nanoparticles, selected blends of medical grade degradable polymer and specifically tailored molecular dispersants. Optimised production methodologies will be applied at scale on industrial equipment to produce demonstrator resorbable implants with specific structural attributes and degradation timescales. BENcH is supported by a number of key industrial partners, and is expected to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector.

The focus of the studentship will be to study the effects of compounding and injection moulding on the final properties of degradable nanocomposite materials. The project will seek to optimise the dispersion of novel nanoparticles in polymer matrices by using conventional compounding methods combined with novel dispersants. Imaging techniques will be used to relate macroscopic properties to nanoscopic dispersion. The studentship will involve training on a wide range of cutting-edge experimental and characterisation techniques. The student will work under the supervision of Dr David Grant as part of a vibrant interdisciplinary team of four post-doctoral researchers and several other PhD students.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in materials engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline that includes courses in polymer science and/or engineering.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in polymer processing and materials testing, and should have good written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with polymer processing, electron microscopy and/or mechanical testing would be beneficial.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree / MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. The studentship will start no later than September 2013.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr David Grant, email: david.grant@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr David Grant directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham.

PhD Research Studentship - The role of degradable polymers in nanocomposite medical implants

Reference : ENG648
Closing Date : Open until filled

The role of degradable polymers in nanocomposite medical implants

The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering is one of the premier engineering faculties in the UK. The Faculty conducts research that has been recognised by the last Research Assessment Exercise as being world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Nottingham in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive environment in which to work. It provides state-of-the art experimental and computational facilities and attracts leading scholars from around the world, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) in the Research Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures to work as part of an interdisciplinary team on the project “Integrated Molecular Design of Melt-processable Bioresorbable Engineering Nanocomposites for Health-Care” (BENcH). The BENcH project is funded by the EPSRC and is based in the Faculty of Engineering, with expertise drawn from a number of other departments. It is a collaboration brought together to design and manufacture novel polymer nanocomposite materials for healthcare. The composites will comprise unique nanoparticles, selected blends of medical grade degradable polymer and specifically tailored molecular dispersants. Optimised production methodologies will be applied at scale on industrial equipment to produce demonstrator resorbable implants with specific structural attributes and degradation timescales. BENcH is supported by a number of key industrial partners, and is expected to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector.

The focus of the studentship will be to investigate two aspects of the material properties of the degradable polymers. The first is the role played by the rheology of the polymer melt on the dispersion of the nanoparticles; the second is the role played by the processed polymer on the mechanical properties of the implant materials, over time and evolving during the degradation process. The studentship will involve training on a wide range of cutting-edge experimental techniques, but there will also be opportunities to apply modelling techniques and theory to contribute to the design of the materials. The student will work under the supervision of Dr Davide De Focatiis as part of a vibrant interdisciplinary team of four post-doctoral researchers and several other PhD students.
Requirements of the studentship:

i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in materials engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline that includes courses in polymer science and/or engineering.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in polymer engineering and materials testing, and should have good written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with polymer processing and/or testing would be beneficial.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree/MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. The studentship will start no later than September 2013.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr Davide De Focatiis, email: davide.defocatiis@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr Davide De Focatiis directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham.

PhD Studentship (funded by Rolls-Royce plc)

Reference : ENG656
Closing Date : Open until filled

Low Temperature TMF Testing and Microstructural Investigation of Wrought and Cast Aluminium Aero-Engine Structure Materials

Technology Centre in Gas Turbine Transmission Systems, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham

The Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Gas Turbine Transmission Systems at the University of Nottingham is active in researching a number of areas which are critical to the further improvement of performance of gas turbine engines. Its main areas of excellence are in (1) Structures and Dynamics and (2) Thermofluids for gas turbine transmission systems. In these the UTC undertakes experimental & numerical work on a series of transmission components ranging from shaft to bearing chambers and gearboxes, but also develops methods contributing to their specification and design. On the numerical front the UTC possesses three groups respectively dedicated to mathematical analysis, CFD and FE analyses, and has access to significant numerical modelling resources including a broad range of codes and access to internal and University-wide clusters and HPCs. The UTC is currently 35-strong.  Further details about the UTC are available at: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/schoolm3/transmissions-utc/.

The UTC has support from Rolls-Royce plc to fund a PhD studentship on the project entitled “Low Temperature TMF Testing and Microstructural Investigation of Wrought and Cast Aluminium Aero-Engine Structure Materials” and we are now seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates to be considered for this opportunity.

Replacing cast alloys with wrought has the potential to offer cost and performance advantages.  Understanding the behaviour and degradation of any replacement materials under conditions of Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue (TMF) is vital to ensure their reliability in service. The main elements of the research will involve comprehensive mechanical testing in conjunction with advanced microscopy techniques (such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)) to elucidate the failure processes. As part of the UTC, the PhD candidate will have the opportunity to interact with and report to Rolls-Royce plc. on a regular basis as part of formal reports as well as working meetings with their technical customers.

The studentship will fully fund PhD registration fees and a stipend will be paid for three years for a HEU (see *Note) Student only. The stipend will commence at £15.6k (tax free) per annum and the studentship is expected to start from January 2013 onwards.
(*Note: Home/EU – ie. UK or European Union students)

The requirements for the full studentship are that students:
(i) Should expect or have an upper second or first class undergraduate degree OR expect or have an MSc with Distinction, Merit, or other indicator of excellent performance;
(ii)  Can demonstrate a substantial amount of degree-level learning in Mechanical Engineering, preferably in the area of Materials. Familiarity with the use of advanced microscopy techniques would be an advantage.

For informal enquiries prior to making an application please contact Dr. Chris Hyde: christopher.hyde@nottingham.ac.uk (please note that applications sent directly to this email address cannot be accepted).

If you are interested in being put forward for this exciting studentship opportunity, application forms and notes of guidance can be obtained online, from: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx and select ‘Engineering Faculty’. 

PhD studentship - Hydrogen Thermal Stores for the Energy sector

Reference : ENG541
Closing Date : Open until filled

Applications are invited for the PhD Studentship funded by the University of Nottingham to study metal hydrides for use as hydrogen and thermal stores as part of a Technology Strategy Board project with five industrial partners. With the spread of renewable energy sources and the push to become less reliant on oil and gas there becomes a problem both in large scale and small scale power generation of how to store energy. One potential solution is to use metal hydrides as either hydrogen stores or utilise their high enthalpies as a thermal stores for domestic, small scale and large scale plants as part of renewable energy initiatives. The project will be supervised by Professor DM Grant and Professor GS Walker

This project has strong linkages with five industrial partners and the Technology Strategy Board to investigate three strands of energy storage for practical applications. The project will be testing a range of existing and new materials for specific applications. The PhD student would be expected to do a significant amount of materials development and characterisation of the metal hydride systems and interact with other members of the team and industry who are investigating thermal properties of the stores. There will be an opportunity to design and build small scale stores and so applicants should have a strong an interest in materials and good practical/experimental design. Good communication skills will also be required. 

Applications are invited from students of high academic merit with a background in materials, chemistry/chemical engineering or physics who have a good experimental background and who have or expect to graduate with a first or upper second, MSc or equivalent.

Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is only available to home students, and EU students that have been ordinary residents in UK for the last three years. It provides tuition fees and a tax-free stipend of around £13,590 per annum.

Informal enquiries or formal applications with a CV, a brief statement of your research interests, and the names and email addresses of two referees should be addressed to Professor DM Grant email: david.grant@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. ENG/541. Closing date: Open until filled

PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Reference : ENG691
Closing Date : Open until filled

Free radicals are highly reactive species that are able, by virtue of their reactivity, to create new carbon-carbon bonds, and functionalise chemical substrates that are nearly impossible to convert by other means.  As such, the scope of free radical chemistry to create polymers and unusual specialty chemicals in an efficient manner is broad.  Control of the high reactivity of free radicals, and thus reaction outcome, still presents a challenge.  There is growing evidence that free radical reactions can be controlled by external factors such as solvent.  Ionic liquid solvents, alternatives to traditional volatile organic solvents, have recently been shown to affect free radical processes.  This project will utilise computational modelling to identify the interactions between ionic liquids and radicals in a range of processes with a view to improving the efficiency of relevant chemical reactions.

Applications are invited for a joint PhD studentship between the growing Biomechanism Engineering research team based in the Research Division of Process and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) and the Alternative Solvents research group in the School of Chemistry, at the University of Nottingham, a global top 75 University. The student will work in a dynamic research environment and as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers working towards a more complete understanding and utilisation of green chemical processes for a range of applications.  

The student will design and undertake both quantum chemical and molecular dynamics computations, with the aim of understanding the behaviour of different types of radicals in a range of ionic liquids.  There will be an opportunity to do additional experimental work locally, and present the research locally and at international conferences. Training in experiments, theory and research methodology will be provided.

Requirements of the studentship:

i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent), in chemistry, computational chemistry, chemical engineering or closely related disciplines such as computer science, physics or mathematics, with relevant background.

ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in green/sustainable chemistry and computational modelling, and should have excellent written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with ionic liquid chemistry, quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics and/or software tools such as DL POLY, Gromacs and Gaussian would be beneficial.

The studentship will cover full PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year), due to funding restrictions this studentship is only available to UK/EU students. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013, or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to Dr Anna Croft, email: anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk or Prof Peter Licence pete.licence@nottingham.ac.uk.  To make an application, please send a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, your research interests and include a CV, an academic transcript, and the names and addresses of two academic referees, to anna.croft@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. The position will remain open until filled.

PhD Research Studentship - Synthesis of novel dispersants for resorbable nanocomposite materials

Reference : ENG650
Closing Date : Open until filled

Synthesis of novel dispersants for resorbable nanocomposite materials

The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering is one of the premier engineering faculties in the UK. The Faculty conducts research that has been recognised by the last Research Assessment Exercise as being world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Nottingham in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive environment in which to work. It provides state-of-the art experimental and computational facilities and attracts leading scholars from around the world, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) in the Process and Environmental Research Division to work as part of an interdisciplinary team on the project “Integrated Molecular Design of Melt-processable Bioresorbable Engineering Nanocomposites for Health-Care” (BENcH). The BENcH project is funded by the EPSRC and is based in the Faculty of Engineering, with expertise drawn from a number of other departments. It is a collaboration brought together to design and manufacture novel polymer nanocomposite materials for healthcare. The composites will comprise unique nanoparticles, selected blends of medical grade degradable polymer and specifically tailored molecular dispersants. Optimised production methodologies will be applied at scale on industrial equipment to produce demonstrator resorbable implants with specific structural attributes and degradation timescales. BENcH is supported by a number of key industrial partners, and is expected to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector.

The focus of the studentship will be to develop synthetic oligomeric dispersants designed to improve the final properties of degradable nanocomposites. The dispersants will be based on functionalised aliphatic polyesters, with tailored polymer architecture. The effectiveness of the dispersants will be assessed through physicochemical and mechanical testing of representative composite materials. The studentship will involve training on a wide range of cutting-edge experimental techniques, including synthesis and characterisation of complex oligomer structures. The student will work under the supervision of Dr Derek Irvine as part of a vibrant interdisciplinary team of four post-doctoral researchers and several other PhD students.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline that includes courses in polymer science and chemical laboratory practice.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in polymer synthesis and materials testing, and should have good written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with polymer synthesis and/or testing would be beneficial.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree / MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. The studentship will start no later than September 2013.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr Derek Irvine, email: derek.irvine@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr Derek Irvine directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham.
 

PhD Research Studentship in Carbon Fibre Recycling using superheated fluids

Reference : ENG672
Closing Date : Open until filled

The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering is one of the premier engineering faculties in the UK. The Faculty conducts research that has been recognised by the last Research Assessment Exercise as being world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Nottingham in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive environment in which to work. It provides state-of-the art experimental and computational facilities and attracts leading scholars from around the world, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham.

The post is funded by the University of Nottingham to compliment a large Danish project than involves all the major manufacturers of wind turbines and is funded by the Danish Government specifically looking into recycling technologies for the carbon materials in turbine blades. The student will work under the supervision of Professors Ed Lester and Steve Pickering.

Lester and Pickering already have significant expertise in the field of carbon composite recycling using fluidised bed processing and supercritical fluids treatment. This has led to several national and international projects looking into the sustainability of fibre recovery which is highly valuable as a commodity but also expensive to dispose of, if treated as a waste material. This studentship will focus on using existing knowledge to scale up the treatment of spent fibre composites to reclaim the resin as well as the fibres themselves. The fibres will be tested after recovery and the overall performance and scalability of the process will be assessed (on a technoeconomic basis). The work will compliment that of other partners in the project who will be working to develop optimal process conditions at smaller scale. Travel to these partners in Denmark and collaboration with the whole network will be an important part of the project.

Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in materials or mechanical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering or a closely related discipline.
i) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in process engineering
ii) Show some reasonable understanding of how composites are manufactured and characterised
iii) Show some understanding and interest in the chemical industry

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree / MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. The studentship is expected to start in September/October 2013.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application, may be addressed to: Professor Ed Lester, email: edward.lester@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Professor Ed Lester directly, email: edward.lester@nottingham.ac.uk with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham.

PhD Research Studentship in Process Scale Up - 2012

Reference : ENG620
Closing Date : Open until filled

PhD studentships – Nano ultrasonics

Reference : ENG661
Closing Date : Open until filled

Applied Optics Group

PhD studentships – Nano ultrasonics

At very high frequencies the wavelength of sound waves can become smaller than the wavelength of light, this opens up myriad new opportunities for measuring, imaging and interacting with the nanoscale environment, especially for biological applications.

As part of a major EPSRC funded project into using nano-ultrasonics to establish a two way link  to the nanoscale, applications are invited for two PhD studentships funded by the University of Nottingham.

This is an innovative and exciting new research area in an internationally-leading laboratory with challenging and rewarding research opportunities.

Students should have a first class undergraduate or masters degree in a related area: physics, chemistry, biology, engineering or nanoscience. They should be highly numerate, computer literate, self-starting and have an imaginative approach to problem solving.

Ideally they should have experience of hard and soft nanofabrication, nanoscale imaging through EM SPM and/or AFM, ultrasonics, PS-ultrasonics, plasmonics, optics, fast lasers, numerical and analytical analysis of EM and elastic waves, electronics, high and low level computer programming and working with cells and tissue cultures.  While it is unlikely that any single PhD candidate will have experience of all of these areas at the time of application they will be expected to be able to work across all these areas during their PhD. The specific direction of the projects will be tailored to the applicants. Students should also possess excellent communication skills, be keen, capable of working as part of an established multidisciplinary team, self-starting and highly motivated.

Students are expected to start in Autumn 2013 but it may be possible to start from April 2013 in exceptional circumstances.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax-free stipend for three years (£13,590 for the 2012-13 academic year) for UK/EU students.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Prof Matt Clark, email: matt.clark_nottingham.ac.uk. Formal applications with a CV, a brief statement of your research interests, and the names and email addresses of two referees, referencing these studentships, should be addressed to Laura Sun, Postgraduate Administrator, Faculty of Engineering (laura.sun@nottingham.ac.uk). Please quote ref. ENG/661. This studentship will remain open until filled.

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Reference : ENG688
Closing Date : Open until filled

Direct, On-line Monitoring and Control of Chemical Reactions with a Focus on Polymerisation

The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering, one of the UK’s premier engineering faculties, conducts research that has been recognised as being world-leading and internationally excellent. The University belongs in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive work environment. It provides state-of-the art experimental and computational facilities and attracts expert scholars from around the world, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) in the Process and Environmental Research Division to work as part of an interdisciplinary team on a project designed to develop novel reaction monitoring and control strategies. This project will be based in the Faculty of Engineering but will also draw on expertise from a number of other departments.

The focus of the studentship will be to develop methods to successfully follow the progress of chemical reactions (polymerisations) using dielectric spectroscopy as the key monitoring technique. The strategies for collecting this data will be designed such that they can be fitted and operate on-line to both batch and flow processes. The final aim of the project is to use the data collection techniques developed in order to provide direct process control to modern continuous manufacturing techniques. As a result, the project will provide novel, step change technology designed to improve the manufacture of chemical products and increase the sustainability of the process involved. This will ultimately lead in reduced energy demand and/or waste generation. The studentship will involve training on a wide range of cutting-edge experimental techniques, including synthesis and characterisation of chemical products. The student will work under the supervision of Dr George Dimitrakis in the National Centre for Industrial Microwave Processing (NCIMP), which is a vibrant interdisciplinary team within the Faculty of Engineering.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related engineering or science discipline that includes courses involving laboratory practice.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in synthesis and materials testing, and should have good written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with chemical synthesis and/or testing would be beneficial.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,726 for the 2012-13 academic year) for UK/EU students. An additional £2000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree / MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013 or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr George Dimitrakis, email: georgios.dimitrakis@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr George Dimitrakis directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham.

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship (3 years)

Reference : ENG694
Closing Date : Open until filled

Direct, On-line Monitoring and Control of Chemical Reactions with a Focus on Polymerisation

The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering, one of the UK’s premier engineering faculties, conducts research that has been recognised as being world-leading and internationally excellent. The University belongs in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive work environment. It provides state-of-the art experimental and computational facilities and attracts expert scholars from around the world, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) in the Process and Environmental Research Division to work as part of an interdisciplinary team on a project designed to develop novel reaction monitoring and control strategies. This project will be based in the Faculty of Engineering but will also draw on expertise from a number of other departments.

The focus of the studentship will be to develop methods to successfully follow the progress of chemical reactions (polymerisations) using dielectric spectroscopy as the key monitoring technique. The strategies for collecting this data will be designed such that they can be fitted and operate on-line to both batch and flow processes. The final aim of the project is to use the data collection techniques developed in order to provide direct process control to modern continuous manufacturing techniques. As a result, the project will provide novel, step change technology designed to improve the manufacture of chemical products and increase the sustainability of the process involved. This will ultimately lead in reduced energy demand and/or waste generation. The studentship will involve training on a wide range of cutting-edge experimental techniques, including synthesis and characterisation of chemical products. The student will work under the supervision of Dr George Dimitrakis in the National Centre for Industrial Microwave Processing (NCIMP), which is a vibrant interdisciplinary team within the Faculty of Engineering.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related engineering or science discipline that includes courses involving laboratory practice.
ii) Students should be able to demonstrate an interest in synthesis and materials testing, and should have good written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with chemical synthesis and/or testing would be beneficial.

The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,726 for the 2013-14 academic year), due to funding restrictions this studentship is only available to UK/EU students. An additional £2,000 a year may be awarded for students with a 1st class degree/MSc Distinction from a UK Russell Group University or equivalent. The studentship is expected to start in September 2013 or as early as possible after this date.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr George Dimitrakis, email: georgios.dimitrakis@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr George Dimitrakis directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham. This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Research Studentship in Microwave Assisted Industrial Chemical Processing

Reference : ENG659
Closing Date : Open until filled
Up to £20,000 per year stipend plus fees available for HEU Candidates (due to funding restrictions)

The University of Nottingham’s (UoN) Faculty of Engineering, one of the UK’s premier engineering faculties, conducts research has been recognised as being world-leading, internationally excellent, and in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. 

The project is a collaboration with a major chemicals and coatings manufacturer. The aims of the project are to investigate the potential benefits of using microwave heating in the production of industrial materials, optimise these methodologies to successfully exploit any microwave benefits at scale, and demonstrate that materials made via microwave heating are fit for purpose in the chosen application. The latter will require direct collaboration at the industrial partner’s research facilities.

The focus of the studentship will be to develop novel synthetic processes in order to improve manufacturing efficiency. This project will potentially contribute significantly to increasing the sustainability within the industry by: (a) extending the market reach of the products concerned and (b) improving the energy footprint of their manufacture.

The studentship will involve training on a wide range of cutting-edge experimental techniques, including synthesis and characterisation of complex oligomeric structures.

Requirements of the studentship:
i) Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first-class or good 2:1 honours degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline that included chemical laboratory practice.
ii) Students should have good written and oral presentation skills. Previous experience with polymer synthesis and/or testing would be beneficial.

Informal enquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to: Dr Derek Irvine, email: derek.irvine@nottingham.ac.uk. If you are interested in making an application, please contact Dr Derek Irvine directly with a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, and include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees. Interviews will take place at the University of Nottingham.

CFFRC PhD Studentship: Dimensional informatics for scientific data

Reference : SCI1269
Closing Date : 31 May 2013

Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute (University of Nottingham) and the School of Computer Science (University of Nottingham Malaysia)

CFFRC PhD Studentship:  Dimensional informatics for scientific data

This PhD studentship will be based jointly at the Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute (University of Nottingham) and the School of Computer Science (University of Nottingham Malaysia), in association with the Crops for the Future Research Centre (CFFRC). The Start date is flexible, but would ideally be September 2013.

This PhD will investigate information fusion, and specifically in the exciting area of how to best integrate vast multidisciplinary knowledge into cogent new information systems, facilitating dialogue across  diverse communities (using the research value chain underpinning the CFFRC as an exemplar). The PhD will explore both informatics, data theory and systems design, investigating everything from hyperstructures (such as the semantic web) through to noSQL approaches.

The PhD will investigate how knowledge can be derived from extremely complex interconnected information, and thus the mechanisms for these interconnections are critical. The conventional means of storing this is as “relations” in relational databases. Here, data is stored in tables consisting of rows and columns with cross-links as necessary. This model is almost ubiquitous in the IT world, and yet it suffers from a major flaw in that the data structures are essentially “square” (consisting of rows and columns) whereas scientific data is often irregular (semi-structured). This came about because the relational database model was developed primarily for the banking industry – in which the data is “man-made” (the procedures of banks can and are modified to facilitate data storage). In science, the situation is very different and the underlying information generally can’t be modified for ease of storage (e.g. the structure of a protein molecule cannot be changed to make it easier to store electronically). The consequence of such mismatches is that information, and ultimately knowledge may be lost from systems because connections cannot be made.

This problem will be addressed by “dimensional informatics” – whereby data is arranged into sets of associations (called dimensions).  A dimensional informatics database, will be designed and investigated, providing an overlay to the knowledge to CFFRC processes, that will allow associations and inferences to be made that would previously have been difficult or impossible.

The successful student will have a strong background in computer science, informatics or applied mathematics and must have excellent programming skills, a sound understanding of database technologies, a knowledge of maths (particularly set theory). Also, some knowledge of, or interest in, information retrieval and/or AI techniques, and the philosophy of information and knowledge would be desirable. Students should have a good first degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field. Students who do not speak English as a first language must also meet the relevant English language qualifications as determined by the School of Computer Science.

Required Skills
• Extensive experience of programming and database systems
• Ability to perform independent research
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Desirable Skills
• Understanding of web-based and mobile programming
• Experience in user studies and field evaluations of prototype technologies.
• Knowledge and experience of designing and evaluating information technologies
• Experience in writing academic publications

This fully funded PhD is for 3 years (full-time) and open to international students. It will be jointly based at The University of Nottingham, on the Jubilee Campus (NG7 2TU) and The University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus - this studentship may not be undertaken remotely.

Students will both have the opportunity, and be expected to split their time between both campuses, although the timing of these periods is negotiable (an example might be: First year in Malaysia, Second year in the UK, Final Year in Malaysia).

If you have any questions regarding the studentship please email: horizon@nottingham.ac.uk

To apply please acces: http://www.horizon.ac.uk/News/Studentships-available/Dimensional-informatics-for-scientific-data.

CFFRC PhD Studentship: “Idea Mining” - Knowledge mining for community integration

Reference : SCI1270
Closing Date : 31 May 2013

Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute (University of Nottingham) and the School of Computer Science (University of Nottingham Malaysia)

CFFRC PhD Studentship:  “Idea Mining” - Knowledge mining for community integration

This PhD studentship will be based jointly at the Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute, University of Nottingham and the School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia, in association with the Crops for the Future Research Centre (CFFRC). The Start date is flexible, but would ideally be September 2013.

This PhD will investigation the application of machine learning and data mining to a large corpus of natural language (e.g. documents and discussion forums), taken from across the CFFRC value chain, for “ideas”. These will then be codified to allow them to be archived and propagated across different communities, with different vocabularies and cultural values. Cutting edge AI techniques and pattern recognition will be used to identify these “ideas” (possibly as memes), which are expressed as collections of words and phrases within a given context.

This research will seek to define an “idea” (which will require consideration of the philosophy of knowledge), and express this in terms of vocabulary and context.  A tool will be developed that uses techniques such as neural computation to identify areas of similarity in parts of the CFFRC corpus, which will represent ideas that may then be archived and made available to other communities. The inherent capabilities of neural computation to classify (e.g. multi-layered perceptrons) and compare (e.g. associative memories) information will provide a powerful tool to detecting and analyse these ideas. This will be innovative research into the automation of knowledge management, and it will also provide a useful tool for CFFRC- facilitating the exchange of ideas across communities.

The successful student will have a strong background in computer science and must have excellent programming skills, a sound knowledge of basic data mining and some experience of databases and web development. In addition to this some knowledge of or interest in one or more of the following areas would be highly desirable: AI techniques; information retrieval; HCI and/or human factors; linguistics (ideally computational linguistics); social networks and the philosophy of information and knowledge.

Students should have a good first degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field. Students who do not speak English as a first language must also meet the relevant English language qualifications as determined by the School of Computer Science.

Required Skills
• Extensive experience of programming and data systems
• Some Fundamental knowledge of data mining techniques
• Ability to perform independent research
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Desirable Skills
• Knowledge and experience of designing and evaluating information technologies
• Some knowledge of linguistic modelling.
• Experience in writing academic publications

This fully funded PhD is for 3 years (full-time) and open to international students. This PhD will be jointly based at The University of Nottingham, on the Jubilee Campus (NG7 2TU) and The University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus - this studentship may not be undertaken remotely.

Students will both have the opportunity, and be expected to split their time between both campuses, although the timing of these periods is negotiable (an example might be: First year in Malaysia, Second year in the UK, Final Year in Malaysia).

If you have any questions regarding the studentship please email: horizon@nottingham.ac.uk

To apply, please access: http://www.horizon.ac.uk/News/Studentships-available/Dimensional-informatics-for-scientific-data.

CropBase Programme

Reference : SCI1253
Closing Date : Open until filled

Project Title: Using geospatial approaches to determine the phosphorus dynamics in soil-crop systems in Malaysia

The aim of this project is to conduct a geospatial analysis of P-use in Malaysia, and to identify where improvements in P-use efficiency may be feasible, e.g., using altered techniques to manage P fertilizer applications or using crop breeding techniques for increased P-use efficiency (e.g. better rooting systems).

Phosphorus (P) is an essential crop nutrient. Crop roots acquire P as phosphate (Pi, P2O5) from low concentrations in the soil solution. Pi delivery to crop roots is often limited by diffusion and inorganic Pi fertilizers are routinely used to maintain yields and quality. Fertilization with Pi has large financial and environmental impacts as much of the P applied to crops as fertilizer becomes fixed in soils and is unavailable to crops. This unrecovered pool of soil P can contaminate surface and ground water through erosion and so there is a pressing need to improve P-use efficiency in the agricultural sector.

The student will source data relating to geomorphology (e.g. satellite imagery), soil type and land-use/production, and trade statistics for fertilizer imports which are primarily rock phosphates in Malaysia. These data will be integrated in a geospatially-referenced database/GIS. The student will be trained in digitizing techniques and databasing/data management. Subsequently, the student will conduct quantitative analyses of P dynamics at a national scale. For example, source apportionment approaches will be used to quantify P run-off to surface waters from the oil-palm and other sectors. Subsequently, multiscale modelling will be used to test the effect of scenario change (e.g. altered fertilizer management) on the environmental movement of P.

Level: PhD

Supervisor names and contact details:
1. Dr Paul Williams, School of Biosciences, Malaysia (paul.williams@nottingham.edu.my)
2. Dr Martin Broadley, School of Biosciences, UK (martin.broadley@nottingham.ac.uk)
3. Dr Scott Young, School of Biosciences, UK (scott.young@nottingham.ac.uk)
4. Dr Sean Mayes, School of Biosciences, Malaysia/UK (sean.mayes@nottingham.ac.uk)
5. Dr Louise Ander (British Geological Survey, land@bgs.ac.uk)

To apply please contact Dr Martin Broadley, email: martin.broadley@nottingham.ac.uk, in the first instance.

Please note that the 'Apply Online' facility (below) is not available for this post.

PhD Studentship - Inhibitors of staphylococcal sortase as novel anti-infective agents

Reference : SCI1239
Closing Date : 31 May 2013

Supervisors: Dr Phil Hill (School of Biosciences) Professor Paul Williams (School of Molecular Medical Sciences) and Dr Weng Chan (School of Pharmacy)

Applications are invited for a four-year PhD studentship in Chemical Biology (start Oct 2013), jointly funded by the University’s MRC DTG, and the Schools of Molecular Medical Sciences, Biosciences and Pharmacy. The successful candidate will join highly motivated and well funded research teams located within the state-of-the-art facilities in the recently completed, multidisciplinary Centre for Biomolecular Sciences on the main University campus.
 
Infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria, for example methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), are a major health issue worldwide, causing increased mortality and significant economical impact on healthcare. To circumvent the cycle of ‘antibiotic introduction–resistance development’, new approaches for treating bacterial infections are urgently needed. As an alternative to antibiotics that kill the infecting organism, the invading bacteria could be ‘disarmed’, reducing their pathogenicity, and allowing the innate and adaptive immune system to clear them. For an MRSA infection to develop, the bacteria need to interact with the host via surface-anchored proteins. Sortase A (SrtA), a cysteine peptidase, is responsible for the anchoring mechanism required to locate these proteins on the bacterial cell surface and is therefore a suitable target for inhibition to prevent the establishment of bacterial infections. We will screen a chemical library to identify novel SrtA and/or secretion inhibitors with a newly developed bioassay, test the ability of active compounds to abrogate SrtA-mediated anchoring, affect bacterial cell growth and virulence gene expression. Lead compounds will be tested in infection models. The student will receive a broad spectrum of experimental skills including; basic training in molecular microbiology and chemical biology, as well as techniques in handling micro-organisms, mutagenesis, reporter gene assays and high throughput screening will be provided, alongside training in the use of experimental infection models. 
 
Students should have a Bachelor or Master honours degree in molecular microbiology, pharmacy, medicinal chemistry or chemical biology. Further information about eligibility can be found at:
http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Fundingopportunities/Applicanthandbook/Studentships/Eligibility/index.htm

This MRC-funded studentship will pay tuition fees for UK/EU students, and a stipend for UK students only.
Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Phil Hill (School of Biosciences), email phil.hill@nottingham.ac.uk, Professor Paul Williams (School of Molecular Medical Sciences) Email: paul.williams@nottingham.ac.uk or Dr W C Chan (School of Pharmacy), Email: weng.chan@nottingham.ac.uk.

To apply please access: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/apply/apply-online.aspx

Please note that the 'Apply Online' facility (below) is not available for this post.

PhD funded research studentships

Reference : Biosciences
Closing Date : Open until filled

For a full list of available PhD funded research studentships within the School of Biosciences please see:

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/biosciences/vacancies/phd-funded-research-studentships.aspx

PhD Studentship in Dairy Cow Nutrition

Reference : SCI1276
Closing Date : 31 May 2013

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship in Dairy Cow Nutrition (start Oct 2013 or earlier if available) funded by the University of Nottingham’s DairyCo Research Partnership on Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition. The successful candidate will join a highly motivated and well-funded research team located within the Animal Sciences Division of the School of Biosciences on the Sutton Bonington campus. The principal supervisor will be Professor Phil Garnsworthy.

The exact title and focus of the PhD project will be agreed with the successful candidate, but will be in the area of rumen function and its effect on feed efficiency, animal health, milk composition and environmental impact of dairy cows. The student will have access to our large databases and on-going trials funded by the Partnership and other projects. It is expected that the student will examine these data and generate hypotheses for testing by experimentation. The overall aim is to elucidate aspects of rumen function that can lead to practical recommendations to dairy farmers that will increase production efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Students must have, or be predicted to achieve, at least an upper second class honours degree in Animal Science or a closely related subject. They must be familiar with dairy cow nutrition, ration formulation and rumen fermentation. Proficiency in use of spreadsheet and word processing software is essential. Research experience in dairy nutrition would be an advantage, as would be experience of working with dairy cows. Preference will be given to candidates who aspire to a career serving the GB dairy industry.

This studentship will pay tuition fees and a stipend at current UK research council rates. Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is only available to UK/EU students.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Phil Garnsworthy, Professor of Dairy Science, email: phil.garnsworthy@nottingham.ac.uk Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

To apply please access: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/apply/apply-online.aspx.

PhD Studentship: Impact of new methods for detecting Mycobacterium paratuberculosis on control of Johne’s disease in cattle

Reference : SCI1271
Closing Date : Open until filled

Supervisor: Dr Catherine Rees

Other Supervisor/s involved:  Dr Jon Huxley (UoN Vet Med) and Dr Michael Hutchings (SRUC)

Johne’s disease is a wasting disease of cattle and other ruminants resulting in lower meat and milk yields, and leading to significant financial losses to both the dairy and beef industries.  It is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) which is an exceptionally slow growing organism (up to 18 weeks).  MAP is considered to be endemic in many countries throughout the world and although the disease can be controlled, early detection and reliable diagnostics are paramount in preventing transmission between animals.  

We have recently developed and evaluated a new bacteriophage-based assay for the detection of MAP in raw milk samples and which provides results within 48 h.  This project will focus on generating data describing prevalence of MAP within dairy herds, and using this assay to better understand how the results gained can be utilised in terms of rapid diagnosis and herd control.  

The project is a collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) who are a centre of excellence for modelling the epidemiology of this disease.  The student will be expected to spend time during the project working with this group in Scotland to model the impact of the new assay on disease control in cattle.   The successful candidate will have a background in Microbiology/Biology or Mathematical/Statistical Modelling.  To realise the full scope of the project, the ideal candidate should have the ability to undertake laboratory-based research and apply current statistical and numerical techniques.   

Students must hold a BSc in relevant biological discipline; minimum of 2i (or equivalent) required.

This studentship is available from 23 September 2013 for a period of 3½ years and provides full fees for Home/EU student and a stipend equivalent to BBSRC minimum 

To apply please access: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/apply/apply-online.aspx.

PhD Studentship - A genetic framework for generating root vascular pattern

Reference : SCI1260
Closing Date : 31 May 2013

The embryonic root initially forms as a radially symmetric organ.  The specification of xylem cells generates the positional information to create bilateral symmetry. This is coordinated by small differences in the spatial response patterns of two hormones, auxin and cytokinin. Using the model plant Arabidopsis, we have identified a mutually inhibitory interaction that sets vascular pattern. In this mechanism auxin directly promotes the expression of the cytokinin signalling inhibitor AHP6 and (through an unknown mechanism) cytokinin regulates the activity of the PIN class of auxin transporters.

The successful applicant will investigate the mechanism through which cytokinin regulates the activity of one of the PIN proteins, PIN7. The applicant will use a combination of genomic tools (including microarrays and yeast one hybrid screens) alongside a genetic screen to identify novel cytokinin-dependent factors regulating PIN7.

This project will be based at the Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, a world-renowned centre for plant biology with state of the art equipment. We are taking an interdisciplinary approach to investigating root vascular patterning and combine experimental biology with mathematical modelling of vascular patterning. A suitable candidate will have good communication skills and be willing to work in an interdisciplinary team. Applicants are required to have the equivalent of a 2(i) class degree in biology (or related subject) and a desire to research plant development.  Experience in some of the following areas would be desirable; plant science, molecular biology, genomics or microscopy. The position is advertised to start in September 2013 but could start earlier.

Students must hold a BSc in biology or a related subject, MSc preferable, experience of molecular biology laboratory techniques desirable. Good proficiency in English.

This studentship is available from 1 September 2013 for a period of three years. Terms and conditions of award:  Funding agency reserves the right to not to approve the candidates. Due to funding restrictions this project is only available to EU/UK students.

To apply, please email a copy of your CV and two academic references to Anthony.Bishopp@nottingham.ac.uk.

Industrial-Funded Postgraduate Studentship in Synthetic Main Group Chemistry

Reference : SCI1090
Closing Date : Open until filled

A fully-funded 3.5 year postgraduate studentship sponsored by Lubrizol Inc. is available, to work in the group of Dr Deborah Kays (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/people/deborah.kays) on the synthesis and characterisation of main group complexes as antiwear additives from October 2012 onwards.

The successful student will be trained to handle compounds using Schlenk line and glove-box techniques, and will prepare and characterise new main group compounds using a range of techniques, including X-ray crystallography, NMR, IR spectroscopy, and computational calculations, in addition to surface chemistry and industrial testing of antiwear additives using the facilities at the Lubrizol Hazelwood site in Derbyshire.  There will be extensive opportunities to gain hands-on experience of new techniques.

Students should hold, or expect to obtain, a 2(i) or first class Honours degree in chemistry (or equivalent).

Due to funding restrictions, funding is only available to UK or EU citizens.

Full details are available from Dr D Kays, School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD or email: deborah.kays@nottingham.ac.uk.

Applications can be made via the University web site at: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-postgraduate-course/apply-online.aspx, stating that you want to join Dr Kays’ group (School of Chemistry). Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis until the position is filled by the appropriate student.

The School values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.

PhD Studentship (EPSRC project studentship)

Reference : SCI990
Closing Date : Open until filled

Gas adsorption at structured ionic liquid surfaces

Applications are invited for the above EPSRC funded project studentship.  The project will be carried out in collaboration with a postdoctoral research associate (to be appointed) under the supervision of Prof. Rob Jones and Dr Pete Licence in the School of Chemistry.  The research consists of studying the adsorption and absorption of gases at ionic liquid surfaces, using a range of ultra-high vacuum surface science techniques at Nottingham, and at the Diamond synchrotron radiation source.  Measurements will be made of both the sorption kinetics and the surface structures of the liquid surfaces, using temperature programmed desorption, sticking probability measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy, surface X-ray reflectivity and Normal incidence X-ray standing wave analysis.  A unique aspect of the research is that the ionic liquids will be synthesised as part of the project.  The project is of particular relevance to the industrial SILP (surface ionic liquid phase) process, which combines the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, and the potential of using ionic liquids as capture agents for CO2 in carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The School of Chemistry is ranked in the top two departments in the country.

Students possessing (or about to achieve) at least a 2.1 degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, chemical physics, physics, materials science or a related subject, are advised to apply as soon as possible.

This studentship is available up to 30 September 2011 for a period of three years and includes University tuition fees for a student with EU/UK citizenship, and a stipend of £13590 per year (standard EPSRC rate). Due to funding restrictions this studentship is only open to UK/EU students.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Rob Jones, tel: +44 (0) 115 951 3468 or email: robert.g.jones@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

To apply on-line please access: http://pgstudy.nottingham.ac.uk/apply-for-postgraduate-courses.aspx.

The School values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.

PhD Studentship in Organic Chemistry - Synthetic Biology

Reference : SCI1039
Closing Date : Open until filled

A PhD studentship is available from September 2011 to work in the Biomimetic group of Dr John Moses at the University of Nottingham. The research project will involve the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel biology inspired molecules that mimic DNA restriction enzymes.

Students should have at least an upper 2nd class degree or equivalent in Chemistry, or closely related subject.

Further information can be obtained from Dr John Moses, tel:    0115 951 3533 or email: john.moses@nottingham.ac.uk. Please also see: www.moseslabs.com, www.Click-Chem.com  and www.nottinghamnaturalproducts.com.

To apply students should email or post a full CV to: Dr John E Moses, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD. Email: john.moses@nottingham.ac.uk.

The School values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity

PhD Project (for self-funded international students only)

Reference : MED908
Closing Date : Open until filled

Biological features of early primary breast cancer in older women & correlation with clinical outcome

The majority of breast cancers occur in older women.  While surgery is normally the standard primary treatment in those with early primary disease, non-operative treatments (eg primary endocrine therapy) may be very good alternatives due to frailty, co-morbidities limiting their life expectancy, and various psychosocial considerations.  A recent Cochrane review of randomised trials shows no significant difference in the overall survival of older women treated by either surgery or primary endocrine therapy.  Furthermore, approximately 40% of older women with primary breast cancer in the UK were found to have received primary endocrine therapy in a national audit.  A large scale clinical trial aiming to recruit 1,200 patients in the UK to compare these two approaches in a randomised controlled fashion was closed prematurely due to poor recruitment.  Despite having an important health problem now and in the foreseeable future, the population concerned is underserved and under-researched. 

There is currently a research programme on various (clinical, biological and psychosocial) aspects of early primary breast cancer in older women, led by Mr KL Cheung, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences.  The team includes co-investigators from Schools of Molecular Medical Sciences and of Nursing, and from the clinical team.  Specifically it will investigate into the biological features of early primary breast cancer in approximately 2,000 older women (based on laboratory analysis of tumour tissue samples obtained by needle core biopsies) treated in Nottingham over the last 30+ years.  This will compliment an ongoing study assessing surgical tumour specimens which are only applicable to patients treated by primary surgery.  Given the above mentioned clinical significance of non-operative therapies in the elderly population, this study will provide important data and insight into the effectiveness of such therapeutic strategy.  Depending on funding, there is also potential scope to perform some novel laboratory work with one of our international collaborators at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre. The successful student will be jointly supervised by Mr Cheung and Professor IO Ellis, Professor of Cancer Pathology, School of Molecular Medical Sciences. 

Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first or 2.1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a health care related subject. They should be able to conduct translational research, spending a significant amount of time in the laboratory, and in the process of carrying out the research, be able to work with clinical team members as appropriate.    Standard vetting procedures, including a CRB check, will be required.

This studentship is available on or before 1 May 2011.

For further information or informal enquiries please email with a CV to: kl.cheung@nottingham.ac.uk. 

To apply, please send a CV with a covering letter and the names, address, telephone and email contact of two academic referees to Lesley Randall, Secretary to Division of Breast Surgery at Professorial Unit of Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals City Hospital Campus, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB – lesley.randall@nottingham.ac.uk.

PhD Project (for self-funded students only)

Reference : MED909
Closing Date : Open until filled

Lymphoedema in women with primary or advanced breast carcinoma

Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies (eg sentinel node biopsy, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies), some patients with breast cancer still develop lymphoedema of the arm.  In patients with early primary disease following surgery, lymphoedema, though uncommon, could cause long-term debilitation if occurred, since survival in this population has now significantly improved.  In the context of advanced disease when lymphoedema is often due to locoregional recurrence, it could significantly impact on the patients’ quality of life especially when the disease is no longer controllable by anti-cancer therapies.   
Specifically this project will investigate into the incidence of different degrees and patterns of lymphoedema following ‘modern’ axillary management (including preoperative axillary staging and intra-operative sentinel node biopsy) and also in advanced disease.  Measurements using conventional perometry and multifrequency bioimpedance techniques will be employed.  As part of a wider research programme into various aspects of lymphoedema, it is hoped that correlation with clinical parameters and treatment strategies, will be performed.

The successful student will be jointly supervised by Mr KL Cheung, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences and Dr V Keeley, Special Associate Professor, School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health and Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Royal Derby Hospital.  Mr Cheung is currently leading a research programme into various aspects (eg clinical, biological and psychosocial) of primary breast cancer in older women.  Dr Keeley is a clinical expert in lymphoedema management and also currently a principal investigator of a multi-centre trial on early detection of lymphoedema. 

Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first or 2.1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, with medical, nursing or physiotherapy background. They should be able to spend a substantial amount of time to conduct research in a clinical environment, with significant contacts with patients, their families, and members of the multi-disciplinary clinical team.  Standard vetting procedures, including a CRB check, will be required.  

For further information or informal enquiries please email with CV to: kl.cheung@nottingham.ac.uk. 

To apply, please send CV with a covering letter and the names, address, telephone and email contact of two academic referees to Lesley Randall, Secretary to Division of Breast Surgery at Professorial Unit of Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals City Hospital Campus, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB – lesley.randall@nottingham.ac.uk.

PhD Project (for self-funded students only)

Reference : MED722
Closing Date : Open until filled

Psychosocial and quality of life issues in older women with early primary breast cancer

The majority of breast cancers occur in older women.  The elderly population has specific needs which impact on their reaction to diagnosis, decision making process, and quality of life (QOL), due to psychosocial background and physical co-morbidities.  Despite having an important health problem now and in the foreseeable future, the population concerned is underserved and under-researched.  There is currently a research programme on various (clinical, biological and psychosocial) aspects of early primary breast cancer in older women, led by Mr KL Cheung (Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences).  The team includes co-investigators from the Schools of Molecular Medical Sciences and Nursing, and from Nottingham University Hospitals (Clinical Oncologist and Specialist Breast Care Nurses from a dedicated clinical team for Primary Breast Cancer in Older Women, based at Nottingham Breast Institute). Specifically, this project will investigate into the psychosocial and QOL issues in this population.  Ethics approval has already been obtained to perform comprehensive geriatric assessment and to formulate a more complete understanding of QOL and treatment decision making in older women with early primary breast cancer.  One of our collaborators is the Director of Cancer and Ageing Research Program, City of Hope, California.

The successful student will be jointly supervised by Mr Cheung and Professor K Cox, Professor in Cancer and Palliative Care, School of Nursing. 

Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first or 2.1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, with a medical, nursing or psychology background who are able to spend a substantial amount of time to conduct research in a clinical environment, with significant contact with patients, their families, and members of the multidisciplinary clinical team. 

It is a condition of this post that satisfactory enhanced disclosure is obtained from the Criminal Records Bureau.
 
For further information or informal enquiries please contact Mr Cheung, Email: KL.Cheung@Nottingham.ac.uk.

Students should send their CV with a covering letter and the names, address, telephone and Email contacts of two academic referees, to: Lesley.Randall@Nottingham.ac.uk. 

This PhD project is open until filled.

Email details to a friend

PhD Project (for self-funded students only)

Reference : MED844
Closing Date : Open until filled

Clinical & cost effectiveness of therapeutic strategies in older women with early primary breast cancer

The majority of breast cancers occur in older women.  While surgery is normally the standard primary treatment in those with early primary disease, non-operative treatments (eg primary endocrine therapy) may be very good alternatives due to frailty, co-morbidities limiting their life expectancy, and various psychosocial considerations.  A recent Cochrane review of randomised trials shows no significant difference in the overall survival of older women treated by either surgery or primary endocrine therapy.  Furthermore, approximately 40% of older women with primary breast cancer in the UK were found to have received primary endocrine therapy in a national audit.  A large scale clinical trial aiming to recruit 1,200 patients in the UK to compare these two approaches in a randomised controlled fashion was closed prematurely due to poor recruitment.  Despite having an important health problem now and in the foreseeable future, the population concerned is underserved and under-researched. 

There is currently a research programme on various (clinical, biological and psychosocial) aspects of early primary breast cancer in older women, led by Mr KL Cheung, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences.  The team includes co-investigators from Schools of Molecular Medical Sciences and of Nursing, and from the clinical team. This project is an extension of the programme with new collaboration with the Division of Social Research in Medicines and Health, School of Pharmacy. Specifically it will investigate into the clinical and cost effectiveness of different therapeutic strategies (surgery and non-operative treatments).  Based on long-term clinical data collected as part of the above programme, models will be developed, and validated as appropriate, to evaluate their effectiveness in terms of both clinical efficacy and cost. The successful student will be jointly supervised by Mr Cheung and Dr LC Chen, Lecturer, Division of Social Research in Medicines and Health. 

Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first or 2.1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a health care related subject. They should be able to conduct research with a significant clinical element, and in the process of carrying out the research, able to work with clinical team members as appropriate.  Standard vetting procedures, including CRB check, will be required. 
 
For further information or informal enquiries please Email with CV to: kl.cheung@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this Email address will not be considered.

To apply, please send a CV with covering letter and the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email contacts of two academic referees to Lesley Randall, Secretary to Division of Breast Surgery at Professorial Unit of Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals City Hospital Campus, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB. Email: lesley.randall@nottingham.ac.uk.

PhD studentship – Angiogenesis & its control of blood vessel physiology

Reference : MED1189
Closing Date : 24 May 2013

Fully funded three-year MRC doctoral training PhD studentship (October 2013);

The above studentship is available supervised by Professor David Bates to work on the molecular mechanisms that control blood vessel physiology during vascular remodelling. Blood vessels use multiple signalling pathways including the delta-notch pathway to remodel during growth. This project will involve in vivo physiological measurement of microvascular parameters such as permeability, calcium signalling, and conducted vasodilatation, combining cell and molecular biological approaches to understanding the role of the delta-notch pathway in maintaining vessel integrity and function during angiogenesis. It will involve learning how to cannulate and perfuse capillaries in real time and image them by confocal microscopy, and high resolution fast scanning calcium imaging, preparing and using recombinant adenoviruses and measuring protein and RNA expression in vitro and in vivo. Further details are available at (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/scs/divisions/preclinicaloncology/people/david.bates)

Students should have (or be expected to obtain) a first or upper second class BSc honours degree in a Life Sciences subject. The position is available only to UK and/or EU nationals who fulfil residency criteria.  The studentship pays fees at the H/EU rate and a maintenance stipend (£13,726 in 2013/14) which will rise in line with minimum Research Council rates.

To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV, with the name, address and full contact details including email contact of three referees to Donna Cannon (csu@nottingham.ac.uk). Please quote ref. MED/1189. Closing date: 24 May 2013. Interviews will be held early June.

Research Studentship – Characterisation of epithelial cells from small and large airways of asthma and control subjects

Reference : MED1133
Closing Date : Open until filled

Applications are invited from Home/EU students with a 2.1 UK degree or equivalent in biology or biochemistry (or related disciplines including biomedical science) for a studentship funded by Asthma UK and the University of Nottingham.

The studentship aims to use a new innovative brush technique to isolate airway epithelial cells from both the small and large airways. In vitro models will be used to characterise cells and determine asthma specific characteristics in epithelial function including barrier formation and fibrinolysis. This studentship will be supervised jointly by Drs Ian Sayers and Dominick Shaw.

Based in the Divisions of Therapeutics and Molecular Medicine and Respiratory Medicine, the student will join a vibrant, multidisciplinary team focused on furthering our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of airway disease.

The successful student will be registered for a PhD; the studentship is available immediately for a period of three years and provides a postgraduate stipend of £13,590 in year 1 with increments in line with Research Council Rates. 

Informal enquires may be addressed to Dr I Sayers, Tel: 0115 8231066 or Email: Ian.Sayers@Nottingham.ac.uk.

Candidates should send a detailed CV, together with the names and addresses of three referees, to Dr I Sayers, Division of Therapeutics and Molecular Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH. Email ian.sayers@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. MED/1133.
This studentship will remain open until filled.

MSc Mental Health Research

Reference : MED1190
Closing Date : 01 August 2013

The MSc Mental Health Research is suitable for graduates, trainees and professionals looking to acquire specialist knowledge in mental health and develop research skills, with a view to enhancing career progression.

This is the first MSc Mental Health Research in the UK to cover a broad range of topics within the mental health field combined with a focus on developing research skills in this field.

The course is delivered by internationally renowned scientists from the Division of Psychiatry, a national leader in teaching and research in the field of mental health. Close ties with the local NHS Trust provides a unique opportunity for students to undertake a piece of research relevant to mental health practice.

For more information, please access: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/courses/community-health-sciences/mental-health-research-msc.aspx.

Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Molecular Self-Assembly & Synthetic Biology

Reference : SCIBETAMACS
Closing Date : Open until filled

Principal supervisor: Professor Natalio Krasnogor (School of Computer Science)

Collaborators: This studentship is part of a highly interdisciplinary research programme with collaborators in the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences Dr. S. Heeb and Prof. M. Camara.

In this project, the student will work at the interface of biology, chemistry & computer science, developing cutting-edge laboratory techniques for DNA self-assembling and self-organizing Synthetic Biology Systems. State of the art facilities at the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences and the School of Computer Science will be available for this project. The student will be concerned with DNA/RNA origami and Synthetic Biology gene transcriptional circuits. The applicants will work closely with Computational modelers and bioinformaticians.

The successful student will have opportunities to visit international collaborators in the USA, Spain, Israel and France. He/She will become a member of a very active community of interdisciplinary researchers at Nottingham. These studentships will be registered with the School of Computer Science (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cs) and the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences (School of Molecular Medical Sciences).

Students should have a first class undergraduate or masters degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biophysics or Computer Science. They should be highly numerate, experienced with bacterial cloning, construction of gene fusions, electroporation, DNA isolation and analysis through electrophoresis, use of bacterial reporters,  and computer literate. Experience working with small RNAs is a plus. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills, be keen to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, be self-driven and highly motivated.

This fully-funded studentship (stipends + fees) is available for three years. Due to funding restrictions this studentship is only open to UK candidates.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Krasnogor, email: natalio.krasnogor@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this Email address will not be accepted. Additional information is available at www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~nxk.

Students should send a complete application including all of the following: (1) covering letter, (2) full CV with transcripts (including expected or actual degree class), (3) the names and email addresses of at least 2 (ideally 3 or more) academic referees. Full applications should be sent by email to Debora Pitchfork, email: dap@cs.nott.ac.uk .

Please quote ref. SCI/BETAMACS. The positions will be filled when suitable students have been identified. Early application is strongly recommended.

PhD Studentship

Reference : SCI1254
Closing Date : Open until filled

ICOS Research Group

PhD Studentship - Mining the gene networks involved in water-stress response in bambara groundnut: a machine learning approach to translating traits in model species to minor crops

Underutilised species have the potential to help diversify agriculture and to make food production more robust in the face of future challenges. The ability to use information obtained in one species to guide evaluation of another species is the underlying principle behind the use of model systems.

The translation of data from models and major crop species to underutilised species is essential if underutilised species are to make a major contribution to Global Food Security or other end-uses.

The ability to identify key components of trait networks relies on developing methods to search very large datasets, guided by knowledge from other systems. Machine learning techniques have been shown to be very competent at this task, as they are able to explore vast datasets to identify key genes and their interactions. Moreover, they can easily integrate multiple sources of knowledge and automatically identify the relevant parts of the system being analysed.

This project will focus on the use of machine learning and bioinformatics techniques to study the process of water-related stress in bambara groundnut (an African legume) by contrasting datasets from this species with the known networks of model organisms. This legume grows successfully with varying access to water, cropping from the Namib desert in Africa to the humid tropics in Indonesia.

The student will spend time at the UK and Malaysia campuses of the University of Nottingham. In the UK, the student will be based at the Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Systems (ICOS) research group(http://icos.cs.nott.ac.uk) at the School of Computer Science. In Malaysia, the student will be co-hosted by Biosciences at UNMC: www.nottingham.edu.my/biosciences/index.aspx and the new Crops for the Future Research Centre currently under construction.

The student will be registered formally at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. The studentship provides full tuition fees and a monthly stipend of 4400MYR (Malaysian Rynggit), for a duration of 3 years.

Supervisor names and contact details :
Festo Massawe, School of Biosciences, UNMC (festo.massawe@nottingham.edu.my)
Jaume Bacardit, School of Computer Science, UoN(jaume.bacardit@nottingham.ac.uk)
Sean Mayes, Plant and Crop Sciences, UoN (sean.mayes@nottingham.ac.uk))
Michael Holdsworth, Plant and Crop Sciences, UoN(michael.holdsworth@nottingham.ac.uk)

Students must have 2.1 or 1 class honours degree, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience equivalent to that  level and have training in data mining techniques or bioinformatics.  Previous biology experience will be an advantage for Computer Science applicants. The successful candidate should be confident working within and across a range of activities, have excellent organisational abilities, be enthusiastic and have good interpersonal skills.

To apply, students should send cv and all relevant documentation to Dr Jaume Bacardit at dap@cs.nott.ac.uk.

This studentship will remain open until a suitable student is found, thus we recommend applying early.

Please note that the 'Apply Online' facility (below) is not available for this post.

PhD studentship in Biological Image Analysis

Reference : SCI1278
Closing Date : 31 May 2013

Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD studentship to be held jointly at the School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham and The Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron facility at Harwell, Oxfordshire. Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used to acquire images at extremely high resolutions: imaging of sub-cellular components of biological objects is a key application of the Diamond facility. Analysis of such images requires cell components to be identified and accurate, quantitative descriptions of their properties (shape, size, position, etc) recovered from the image. The very high spatial and grey-level resolution of synchrotron images means that very fine details (of e.g. mitochondria) are visible – organelles do not appear as simple, evenly coloured regions but as highly variable, textured areas. This PhD project seeks to develop automatic image analysis methods and software tools that can extract quantitative measurements of sub-cellular objects from Diamond Light images. The successful student will work closely with research staff and potential users at both Nottingham and Diamond.

Students should have a good first degree (preferably at the level of a first-class degree in the UK context) in Computer Science or a related discipline. Previous experience of image analysis, computer vision or biological science are an advantage, but not essential. Those whose first language is not English are asked to fulfil the English Language requirements specified at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/computerscience/studywithus/postgraduateresearch/pgrintro.aspx.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to:
Dr Andrew French: andrew.p.french@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr Mark Basham: Mark.Basham@diamond.ac.uk
Dr Tony Pridmore: tony.pridmore@nottingham.ac.uk

Applications, including a CV and cover letter describing your experience and suitability for this position should be emailed to deborah.pitchfork@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. SCI/1278.  Closing date: 31 May 2013

Please note that the 'Apply Online' facility (below) is not available for this post.

Two Fully Funded PhD Studentships in Scientific Computing, Molecular Self-Assembly and Synthetic Biology

Reference : SCI1012
Closing Date : Open until filled

Principal supervisor: Professor Natalio Krasnogor (School of Computer Science)

Collaborators: These two studentships are part of a highly interdisciplinary research programme with collaborators in the Schools of Medical Molecular Sciences, Chemistry and Physics & Astronomy.

Highly sophisticated computer programs, theoretical studies and experimental approaches are the three pillars upon which XXI century science and technology rest. Computational sciences, and in particular, computer simulations, graphics and data analysis algorithms, are having a tremendous impact across multiple disciplines. 

In this project, the student will work at the interface of computer science, biology & chemistry developing cutting-edge simulations, computer graphics algorithms and optimization methods for the in silico design of self-assembling and self-organizing molecular systems. The designs obtained through the computer simulations and optimization algorithms will be tested in the (wet) laboratory. State of the art facilities at the schools of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics & Astronomy will be available for this project. One of the studentships will be concerned with DNA/RNA origami while the other studentship will focus on porphyrins based self-assembly and self-organization. The applicants will have the opportunity to develop new computer science techniques as well as perform (wet) laboratory-based experimental validations.

The successful student will be based at The University of Nottingham ASAP’s Interdisciplinary Optimisation Laboratory, please see: http://www.infobiotic.org. They will have opportunities to visit international collaborators and will become members of a very active community of interdisciplinary researchers at Nottingham. These studentships will be registered with the School of Computer Science (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cs)

Students should have a first class undergraduate or master degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, physics or biology. They should be highly numerate, experienced programmers (distributed/parallel programming experience or computer graphics experience is a plus) and, ideally, have (wet) lab experience. Students should possess excellent communication skills, be keen to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, be self-driven and highly motivated.

These two fully-funded studentship (stipends + fees) are available for three years. Due to funding restrictions these studentships are only open to UK candidates.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Krasnogor, email: natalio.krasnogor@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this Email address will not be accepted. Additional information is available at www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~nxk

Students should send a complete application including all of the following: (1) covering letter, (2) full CV with transcripts (including expected or actual degree class), (3) the names and Email addresses of at least 2 (ideally 3 or more) academic referees. Full applications should be sent by Email to Nicholas Poxon, Email: nzp@cs.nott.ac.uk.

Please quote ref. SCI/1012. Closing date: The positions will be filled when suitable students have been identified. Early application is strongly recommended.

AHRC PhD Studentship

Reference : LSS306
Closing Date : Open until filled

The School of Geography at the University of Nottingham invites expressions of interest for an AHRC doctoral studentship commencing September 2012.  The deadline for applications to the School is 22 February 2012. Application forms are available through the University’s Graduate School website at
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/graduateschool/funding/prospectiveukandeu/researchcouncilfunding/ahrcstudentships/index.aspx.

In the School of Geography, the Cultural and Historical Geography Research Group has particular research strengths in:

Landscape and Culture
Histories of Geographical Knowledge
Environmental History
Cultural Geography and the Visual Arts
Colonial and Post-Colonial Geographies
Historical Geographies of Disease and Health
Geographies of Performance

All applicants must fulfil relevant AHRC eligibility criteria. Studentships are available only to applicants from the UK and the EU. We welcome enquiries in all of these areas, and will be happy to discuss the detail of research proposals with applicants.

Details of research in the School are available on the website at www.nottingham.ac.uk/geography/research/index.aspx

Candidates should hold or be undertaking a relevant Masters degree, although equivalent professional experience may be considered appropriate.

Potential applicants should contact Mike Heffernan Mike.Heffernan@nottingham.ac.uk, Steve Legg Steve.Legg@nottingham.ac.uk, or the Postgraduate Administrator Andrea Payne, Andrea.Payne@nottingham.ac.uk on 0115 9515575 in the School of Geography with a CV, indicating their likely area of research interest.

Please note that the 'Apply Online' facility (below) is not available for this post.

MRC PhD Research Studentship

Reference : MED1181
Closing Date : Open until filled

Title: Structural, mechanical and metabolic responses to functional overload of the “Muscle-Tendon Unit” in young and older individuals

Applications are invited from highly motivated individuals for the above prestigious MRC studentship, based at the School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health at the Royal Derby Hospital, Derby. The successful candidate will join the Metabolic and Molecular Physiology Research group, which functions on two sites i.e. Derby and Biomedical Sciences in the Queen’s Medical Centre, under the direction of Professor Paul Greenhaff, Professor of Muscle Physiology.
(see:http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/biomedsci/world-leading-research/metabolic-physiology.aspx .

The group has recently been awarded prestigious MRC/ARUK centre status for excellence in “musculo-skeletal ageing research” in partnership with the University of Birmingham (~£2.5M funding) and is unique in its ability to undertake comprehensive metabolic investigations in humans. The group is internationally renowned and has a proven track record in obtaining funding from RCUK funding bodies, charities and industry partners. The candidate will benefit from the breadth of expertise and techniques available to the Metabolic Physiology Research group, in a research environment that is unique within the UK.

This project will focus on the effect of age on the muscle-tendon unit, including structural, metabolic and functional characteristics; and on the adaptability of this unit to acute and chronic loading interventions.  The project will involve the application of innovative ultrasound-based and electron microscopy techniques to measure structural changes in muscle and tendon, in combination with unique stable isotope approaches, using heavy water i.e. D2O, to measure the turnover of muscle and tendon in free living individuals and the response to innovative exercise interventions aimed at improving muscle-tendon function in ageing. The successful candidate will gain experience and practical skills in the use of ultrasound methods to visualise structural changes in muscle and tendon, state of the art mass spectrometry, modern molecular and biochemical techniques e.g. western blotting and PCR thereby providing comprehensive skills and training to students wishing to pursue a career in biomedical research. This project will be jointly supervised by Prof Marco Narici, Drs Ken Smith and John Williams (for more details of our research profile see our website:  http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/gem/index.aspx). Prof Constantinos Maganaris (Liverpool John Moores University) will act as an adviser for the in vivo and in vitro tendon investigations.

Applicants should have, or will expect to attain at least a 2i degree classification in Physiology (or related discipline), biochemistry, pharmacology or neuroscience.

This studentship is available for a period of 3 years and provides an annual stipend and PhD tuition fees (£13,726 and £3,900 in 2013/14). The MRC and School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health will provide generous research training support grant of £5000 per annum equally. This studentship is available to UK citizens only, or EU applicants who fulfil MRC residency criteria (EU applicants must have been resident in the UK for more than 3 years).  The award start date is 1st October 2013.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof Marco Narici and Dr Ken Smith Email:
marco.narici@nottingham.ac.uk or ken.smith@nottingham.ac.uk Tel: 01332 724603 or 724700.  Please note that applications sent directly to these Email addresses will not be accepted.

Application forms are available from Mrs Sue Rougeolle, sue.rougeolle@nottingham.ac.uk.  Application forms, with two copies of a detailed CV and the names and addresses of two referees, should be sent to Sue.Rougeolle@Nottingham.ac.uk.  (Mrs S Rougeolle, School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health, Medical School, Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter New Road, Derby, DE22 3DT).

Postgraduate Scholarships: MA, MRes & PhD

Reference : LSS326
Closing Date : Open until filled

(Archaeology, Art History, Classics, History, Music, Philosophy, or Theology & Religious Studies)

The following doctoral scholarship opportunity is available to those commencing postgraduate study in September 2013.

Sir Francis Hill Postgraduate Scholarship 2013

Details can be found at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/graduateschool/funding/prospectiveukandeu/otherfundingsources/sirfrancishillscholarship.aspx

The following masters scholarship opportunities are available to those commencing postgraduate study in September 2013. Details can be found at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/students/fees-and-funding/scholarships.aspx

Lillian Ruff Postgraduate Scholarship 2013

Henry Thomas Mitchell Postgraduate Vocal Scholarship 2013 (For Music applicants only)

Pauline Roberts Scholarship 2013 (For History applicants only)

The Tranfield Scholarship 2013 (For History applicants only)

Weston Scholarships 2013
Details can be found at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/graduateschool/funding/prospectiveukandeu/otherfundingsources/westonscholarships.aspx

Please note that you must be holding an offer of a place to study at the University of Nottingham in order to be eligible to apply for scholarship funding. To apply for a place to study, please use the University’s online system at
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx
You need to do this in good time to ensure that you have a copy of the University’s offer of a place to study prior to the funding application deadline.   

For further information and informal advice please contact Mrs Amanda Samuels, tel: 0115 951 5825 or email: amanda.samuels@nottingham.ac.uk. Information about the seven Departments and the funding opportunities is available at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/index.aspx.

PhD Scholarship on Mathematics for Manufacturing

Reference : SCI1262
Closing Date : Open until filled

Robustness-performance optimisation for automated composites manufacture
Supervisors: Profs. Frank Ball, Andrew Cliffe and Michael Tretyakov, School of Mathematical Sciences (Nottingham)

Multidisciplinary collaborations are a critical feature of material science research enabling integration of data collection with computational and/or mathematical modelling. This PhD study provides an exciting opportunity for an individual to participate in a project spanning research into composite manufacturing, stochastic modelling and statistical analysis, and scientific computing. The project is integrated into the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites, which is led by the University of Nottingham and delivers a co-ordinated programme of research at four of the leading universities in composites manufacturing, the Universities of Nottingham, Bristol, Cranfield and Manchester.

This project focuses on the development of a manufacturing route for composite materials capable of producing complex components in a single process chain based on advancements in the knowledge, measurement and prediction of uncertainty in processing. The necessary developments comprise major manufacturing challenges. These are accompanied by significant mathematical problems, such as numerical solution of coupled non-linear partial differential equations with randomness, the inverse estimation of composite properties and their probability distributions based on real-time measurements and the formulation and solution of a stochastic model of the variability in fibre arrangements. The outcome of this work will enable a step change in the capabilities of composite manufacturing technologies to be made, overcoming limitations related to part thickness, component robustness and manufacturability as part of a single process chain, whilst yielding significant developments in mathematics with generic application in the fields of stochastic modelling and inverse problems.

The specific aims of this project are: (i) Stochastic simulation of multi-dimensional non-linear stochastic problems; (ii) Stochastic and statistical modelling of fibre variability in Automated Fibre Placement to permit the predictive simulation of range of potential outcomes conditional on monitoring observations made during the process; (iii) Solution of the anisotropic conductivity inverse problem under uncertainty to translate monitoring and simulation of observable parameters to uncertainty quantification of critical unobservable variables.

The PhD programme contains a training element, which includes research work as well as traditional taught material. The exact nature of the training will be mutually agreed by the student and their supervisors and will have a minimum of 30 credits (approximately ¼ of a Master course/taught component of an MSc course) of assessed training. The graduate programmes at the School of Mathematical Sciences and the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites provide a variety of appropriate training courses.

We require an enthusiastic graduate with a 1st class degree in Mathematics (in exceptional circumstances a 2(i) class degree can be considered), preferably of the MMath/MSc level, with good programming skills and willing to work as a part of an interdisciplinary team. A candidate with a solid background in statistics and stochastic processes will have an advantage.

The studentship is available for a period of three and a half years from September/October 2013 and provides an annual stipend of £13,726 and full payment of Home/EU Tuition Fees. Students must meet the EPSRC eligibility criteria.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Prof. Michael Tretyakov, email: michael.tretyakov@nottingham.ac.uk.

To apply, please access: https://my.nottingham.ac.uk/pgapps/welcome/. Please ensure you quote ref: SCI/1262. This studentship is open until filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Fully funded PhD studentship in Applied Mathematics/Mathematical Modelling/Mathematical Biology

Reference : SCI1233-
Closing Date : Open until filled

Analysing how hormone dynamics create plant root branches

Supervised by Dr Leah Band, Prof John King and Prof Malcolm Bennett
In collaboration with Prof. Tom Beeckman, University of Ghent.

Plant roots transport water and nutrients from the soil to the rest of the plant, enabling it to grow. Therefore understanding the processes regulating root growth and branching could enable us to produce root structures that maximise water and nutrient uptake and hence improve global food security.  In this project, we shall focus on the role of the plant hormone auxin, which is known to control both the direction of the root growth (typically in the direction of gravity) and the formation of root branches.

Auxin moves between plant cells in a complicated manner, due to the spatial distribution of proteins on the cell membranes. This project will involve developing and analysing multicellular models that investigate how the auxin dynamics depend on both this cell-to-cell transport, and hence how these processes regulate root growth.  In particular, we shall analyse some new experimental findings on the regulation of root branching, which cannot be explained with our existing models. We shall focus on deterministic models and use a range of techniques, including asymptotic analysis and numerical simulations (exploiting recent modelling developments within our groups).

This project will be based at the Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, a world-renowned centre for plant modelling, and will involve close collaboration with researchers from other disciplines. By working closely with Prof. Tom Beeckman at the University of Ghent and with other researchers within the University of Nottingham, we shall develop models that reflect the latest experimental findings and that generate novel predictions for testing by these experimental collaborators.

We require an enthusiastic graduate with a 1st class degree in Mathematics (in exceptional circumstances a 2(i) class degree can be considered), preferably of the MMath/MSc level.  Candidates would need to be keen to work in an interdisciplinary environment and interested in learning about plant science; any experience in this field, or in mathematical biology more generally, would be a distinct advantage.

The studentship is available from September/October 2013 and provides an annual stipend at the standard rate (currently £13,590 per annum) and full payment of Home/EU Tuition Fees. The studentship period will depend on the training needs of the successful applicant.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Leah Band, email: Leah.Band@nottingham.ac.uk 

To apply, please access: https://my.nottingham.ac.uk/pgapps/welcome/.

PhD Studentship - Hyperpolarised 129Xe Functional lung Imaging

Reference : SCI1178
Closing Date : Open until filled

Supervisors: Prof. Peter Morris, Prof. Ian Hall and Dr Mike Barlow

Applications are invited from graduates in physical sciences or medical physics for a PhD Studentship in the Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre within Nottingham University's School of Physics and Astronomy and School of Clinical Sciences at the Queens Medical Centre. The projects are linked to the hyperpolarised xenon research group within these two centres.

The high nuclear spin polarisation of hyperpolarised 129Xe can be used to increase the detection sensitivity for a variety of NMR/MRI applications, including preliminary studies of lung morphology and function by MRI.  Hyperpolarised xenon is produced via spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) resulting in a 104-105 increase in MR detection sensitivity. This process is still relatively poorly understood, especially since the introduction of high power, frequency narrowed lasers to pump the alkali metal spins. The main goals of this project are to characterize the SEOP process using optically-detected electron spin resonance spectroscopy, ultralow-frequency Raman spectroscopy and low-field MRI of the hyperpolarised xenon that will show how operating under these conditions affects the levels of xenon nuclear spin polarisation. The hyperpolarised 129Xe is being used in a dedicated 1.5T MRI system at the QMC with a 8 channel parallel receive coil to allow accelated imaging with patients with compromised breathing. This project in collaboration with teams at Vanderbilt-Nashville, Duke and Brigham & Womens Hospital – Harvard will explore the use of hyperpolarised 129Xe in patients with COPD, Interstitial lung disease and Asthma.

Application are welcome from highly motivated UK or European Economic Region Students (due to funding restrictions) with a higher undergraduate degree in physics or related subjects. Previous experience with NMR and laser optics is an advantage but not a prerequisite. The studentship is fully funded and linked to a ongoing research programme between the School of Physics and Astronomy and the School of Clinical Sciences. There is scope for the student to be involved with the clinical studies and MRI sequence development.

In the first instance please contact either Dr Mike Barlow (michael.barlow@nottingham.ac.uk) or Prof. Ian Hall (Ian.Hall@nottingham.ac.uk) quoting Ref SCI/1178. This studentship will remain open until filled.

Two PhD Studentships

Reference : SCI1116
Closing Date : Open until filled

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Physics

Applications are invited from graduates in physics for two PhD Studentships in the Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre within Nottingham University's School of Physics and Astronomy. The projects are linked to the Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation (DNP) research group within the Centre.

DNP is a method that can be used to generate signal enhancements of several orders of magnitude in NMR or MRI experiments. The optimisation of this technique and its adaptation to a wide range of novel NMR experiments is currently the focus of substantial research efforts in many academic NMR and MRI groups worldwide.

The first PhD project has the objective to develop fast novel spectroscopy strategies for highly polarised nuclear spin systems. The project involves collaboration with one of the leading NMR spectrometer manufacturers. The key objective of the project is to design novel acquisition strategies for the optimisation of the information content that can be acquired from hyperpolarised samples. 

The second PhD project involves the participation in a large hardware development project. It includes collaboration with several industrial partners. The object is to design and implement a novel strategy to optimise the use of DNP in NMR spectroscopy.
 
Application for these two studentships are welcome from highly motivated European students (due to funding restrictions) with a high undergraduate degree in physics or related subjects. Previous experience with NMR is an advantage but not a prerequisite.

Further information can be obtained from Dr. Walter Köckenberger: walter.kockenberger@nottingham.ac.uk; +44(0)115 9515161

Please send (preferably by Email), a detailed CV and covering letter to Dr Walter Köckenberger, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD. Please quote ref. SCI/1116. This studentship is open until filled.

Please note that the 'Apply Online' facility (below) is not available for this post.

Fully-funded PhD studentships in Psychology or Neuroscience

Reference : SCI1275
Closing Date : 22 May 2013

Having had a particularly successful year in attracting funding for PhD students, the School of Psychology at University of Nottingham is seeking further highly-motivated candidates for its PhD programme, with funding potentially to cover fees and a tax-free stipend of £13,726 per year.

Students should have a very good honours degree (at least 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. A Masters qualification is not required at the point of application, although the application process is highly competitive and some students do have such qualifications. You may be advised to take an MSc as part of your training with us if necessary (a 1+3 PhD) and that can also potentially be funded as part of the studentship.

The School of Psychology at Nottingham is a research-led experimental psychology department covering a wide range of research areas, reflecting the broad, multi-disciplinary nature of the field.
Studentships are available in any of the research areas within the school:
Personality, Social Psychology & Health
Human Development and Learning, including autism
Cognition and language
Visual neuroscience
Perception and action
Behavioural neuroscience

We have a very active group of over 60 postgraduate students in the school as well as a comprehensive range of facilities for psychology and/or neuroscience research. These include multiple scanners (at 1.5, 3 and 7 Tesla) for fMRI, several EEG/ERP systems, an MEG scanner, TMS systems, eye-trackers, a state-of-the-art driving simulator and an anechoic chamber.
How to apply
In the first instance you should identify a potential supervisor within the school with whom you would like to conduct your research. You should then develop a project proposal in discussion with that supervisor.

Your application form should be submitted via the University’s admissions system by 22nd May 2013. Interviews will be conducted in the week commencing 3rd June 2013. For further information about the application process see:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/psychology/apply-phd

Depending on the funding source we identify as suitable for you, we may ask you to submit further applications to the relevant sources after our own selection process has been completed. Some of funding sources are subject to eligibility requirements, such as UK residency. Studentships are expected to start in September 2013.

PhD BBSRC/CASE Studentship in Veterinary Medicine and Science

Reference : MED1183
Closing Date : Open until filled

Molecular analysis of Equine UGT enzymes

Principal supervisor:
Dr Stuart Paine

Other supervisors:
Dr Tracey Coffey and Dr Clive Pearce (LGC Ltd)

Background:
The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham is the first brand new, purpose-built veterinary school in the UK for over 50 years and it is our intent to make significant leading contributions to both veterinary research and teaching within the context of valid relevance and application to the wider veterinary profession.
Research is central to the activities of the School, both in terms of maintaining ourselves at the forefront of national and international efforts in veterinary medicine but also as an integral part of the training and education for undergraduate and postgraduate students.  In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science joint submission with the School of Biosciences was ranked first in the country for the power of its research with 95% of its activities classified at an international standard.

Further information
Minimum 2.1 undergraduate degree or 2.2 degree and masters in biological or chemistry subjects.
Informal enquiries: Stuart.Paine@nottingham.ac.uk.

Start Date: October 2013 or ASAP thereafter.

Funding
Studentship available for 4 years from October 2013 and provides a CASE postgraduate stipend, potential funding restrictions apply for non-EU students.

Students should apply online at https://my.nottingham.ac.uk/pgapps/welcome and include a cv. Queries: postgrad-vet@nottingham.ac.uk. Please quote ref. MED/1183. This studentship will remain open until filled.

PhD Studentship in Veterinary Medicine and Science

Reference : MED1185
Closing Date : Open until filled

Development and application of Next Generation Phage Display: the isolation of immunoreagents for application within the animal feed industry.

Principal supervisor:
Dr Kevin Gough
Other supervisors:
Dr Ben Maddison (ADAS-UK) and Dr Mike Bedford (AB-Vista)
 
Background:
The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham is the first brand new, purpose-built veterinary school in the UK for over 50 years and it is our intent to make significant leading contributions to both veterinary research and teaching within the context of valid relevance and application to the wider veterinary profession.
Research is central to the activities of the School, both in terms of maintaining ourselves at the forefront of national and international efforts in veterinary medicine but also as an integral part of the training and education for undergraduate and postgraduate students.  In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science joint submission with the School of Biosciences was ranked first in the country for the power of its research with 95% of its activities classified at an international standard.

The studentship is focussed on the development of novel techniques in antibody engineering and discovery. Primarily involving antibody phage-display, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics, antibody cloning, protein expression and purification in both bacterial and mammalian cell culture and the development of immunoassays; full training will be given.

The successful student will carry out the research within the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science and it is expected that there will be close interaction with the two commercial sponsors. This is an innovative collaborative initiative and a great opportunity to work at the forefront of veterinary research in a supportive and exciting environment.

Funding
The studentship is available 3 years from October 2013 and provides a stipend of £15,000 p.a. (tax free). Due to funding restrictions, this studentship only provides funding for students from the UK/EU.
Students should apply online at https://my.nottingham.ac.uk/pgapps/welcome and include a cv. Queries: postgrad-vet@nottingham.ac.uk.  This studentship Will remain open until filled.

PhD Project (for self-funded international students only)

Reference : MED853
Closing Date : Open until filled

Biological features of early primary breast cancer in older women: intracellular distribution of STAT3

The majority of breast cancers occur in older women.  While surgery is the standard initial treatment in those with early primary disease, non-operative treatments may be very good alternatives due to frailty, co-morbidities limiting their life expectancy, and various psychosocial considerations. A recent national audit revealed that approximately 40% of older women with primary breast cancer in the UK received primary endocrine therapy. However, some women have hormone receptor negative tumours, and most hormone receptor positive tumours eventually develop acquired resistance, highlighting a need for other non-surgical therapies. Other alternative chemotherapeutic strategies such as cytotoxic agents (eg taxanes) or immunotherapeutics (eg trastuzumab) are associated with toxicities and high cost. 

There is currently a research programme on various (clinical, biological and psychosocial) aspects of early primary breast cancer in older women, led by Mr KL Cheung, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences.  The team includes co-investigators from Schools of Molecular Medical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Nursing, and from the clinical team.  One aim of this programme is the identification of additional targets in breast carcinoma for which novel therapeutics might be developed. This project will investigate the protein STAT3, over-activity of which has been correlated with cell proliferation in breast cancer. Recent evidence suggests that the presence of STAT3 in mitochondria may be a critical aspect of its role in cancer, possibly during early stages of tumour development.  This study aims to assess the activity and cellular distribution of STAT3 in surgical tumour specimens of early primary breast cancer from patients treated by primary surgery.  It will be complemented by experimental work on tumour-derived cell lines in which the mechanism of STAT3 entry to the mitochondria will be explored. The successful student will be jointly supervised by Mr Cheung and Professor P E Shaw, Professor of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences. 

The fee band for this studentship is high cost laboratory based research (£17,810 2010/11).

Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first or 2.1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a health care related subject, be able to conduct translational research spending a significant amount of time in the laboratory, and in the process of carrying out the research, work with clinical team members as appropriate. Standard vetting procedures, including CRB check, will be required.  

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Mr Cheung, Email: kl.cheung@nottingham.ac.uk.

To apply, please send a CV, a covering letter and the names, addresses and contact details of two academic referees to Lesley Randall, Secretary to Division of Breast Surgery at Professorial Unit of Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals City Hospital Campus, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB – Lesley.Randall@nottingham.ac.uk.

Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Plants Systems Biology

Reference : SCI1035
Closing Date : Open until filled

Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Plants Systems Biology

Supervisors: Professor Natalio Krasnogor (School of Computer Science), Professor Andrew Wood (School of Mathematics), Professor Michael Holdsworth (School of Biosciences).

In this project, the student will work at the interface of Computer Science, Mathematics and Biology developing cutting-edge bioinformatics software applied to the understanding of complex biological networks:

(Multi)Cellular processes and pathways, whose deregulation may contribute to the development of biological ailments, are often represented as cascades of proteins transmitting a signal from the cell surface to the nucleus. However, recent functional genomic experiments have identified thousands of interactions for the canonical signalling proteins, challenging the traditional view of pathways as independent functional entities. Combining information from pathway databases and interaction networks obtained from, e.g., functional genomic experiments is therefore a promising strategy for obtaining more robust pathway and process representations, facilitating the study of biological functionality.

This studentship will seek to extend work done at Nottingham on network-centric biology by integrating multiple information sources across different species and analyzing the resulting networks/graphs within and across species. The PhD candidate will investigate graph theoretical algorithms, high-performance computing, biological databases as well as advanced statistics with a view of creating biological-relevant and user-friendly bioinformatics tools. The successful student will have opportunities to visit international collaborators and will become members of a very active community of interdisciplinary researchers at Nottingham.

Students should have a 1st class undergraduate or masters degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or a related discipline. A background in Biology is not required but a willingness to learn relevant biology is essential. Students should be highly numerate and experienced programmers andshould possess excellent communication skills, be keen to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, be self-driven and highly motivated.

This fully-funded studentship (stipends + fees) is available for three years. Due to funding restrictions this studentship is only open to UK students.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to: Professor Krasnogor, email: natalio.krasnogor@nottingham.ac.uk. Professor Andrew Wood, email: Andrew.Wood@nottingham.ac.uk or Professor Michael Holdsworth, email: michael.holdsworth@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to either of those Email addresses will not be accepted. Additional information is available at www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~nxk

Students should send a complete application including all of the following: (1) covering letter, (2) full CV with transcripts (including expected or actual degree class), (3) the names and Email addresses of at least 2 (ideally 3 or more) academic referees. Full applications should be sent by email to Nicholas Poxon, email: nzp@cs.nott.ac.uk. Please quote ref. SCI/1035.

Closing date: The studentship will be filled when suitable students have been identified. Early application is strongly recommended.

Funded 3-year PhD studentships available

Reference : SCI1230
Closing Date : 24 June 2013

The Nottingham Child Neuroimaging Initiative (NCNI), currently funded by the James Tudor Foundation, exploits the University of Nottingham’s international reputation in MR Physics and clinical excellence in childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, to establish an interdisciplinary doctoral training programme that brings innovation in brain imaging, brain image analysis, and computational modelling to bear on the problem of understanding brain development in health and disease.

Funded 3-year PhD studentships are now available to work on the following topics:

• Combining brain imaging and brain stimulation approaches to investigate the occurrence and control of tics in Tourette syndrome (funded by the James Tudor Foundation).
• Multi-modal imaging approaches to understand the development of brain networks in children with Tourette syndrome
• Joint optimization of acquisition and analysis methods for children’s imaging

These studentships would suit graduates in: Psychology; Neuroscience; Medicine; Physics; Computer Science; or Mathematics.

Applicants should send a cover letter outlining their preferred topic (of the three stated above) and current CV to: Professor Stephen Jackson, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD; or electronically to stephen.jackson@nottingham.ac.uk.