To celebrate the University’s research successes, the University of Hull is offering 13 full-time UK/EU PhD Scholarship or International Fee Bursaries for candidates applying for the areas within the Faculty Science and Engineering, including this project.

Closing date: – 3^rd February 2014.
Studentships will start on 29^th September 2014

Principal supervisor: Prof Vesselin Paunov, Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, email: V.N.Paunov@hull.ac.uk, tel.+44 1482 465660.
Co-supervisor: Dr Leigh Madden, School of Biological, Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, University of Hull.
Collaborative support: Dr David Allsup and Dr Anthony Maraveyas, Castle Hill Hospital/HYMS, Cottingham.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is characterised by an accumulation of myeloblasts in the blood and bone marrow. A diagnosis is confirmed when 20% or more of nucleated cells are myeloblasts which can be confirmed from blood or bone marrow aspirate. Prof Paunov and Dr Madden recently developed novel technology which uses colloidal cell imprints that can bind to the surface of cells of specific shape morphology and deliver biocides directly to the cell surface. In this PhD studentship project we will apply similar technology based on surface bioimprints of blood cancer cells (myeloblasts) for their separation from normal white blood cells in leukaemia patients. We will develop devices for removal of myeloblasts from blood and bone marrow in close collaboration with clinicians from Hull-York Medical School and the Oncology department of Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham. The research project will be carried out at the Departments of Chemistry and Biology of the University of Hull and will offer an exciting opportunity to achieve a PhD and expertise in highly interdisciplinary biomedical field which is very sought after by potential employers.

The successful PhD applicant will receive a high level of training which, in addition to learning about specific techniques, attending seminar programmes and conferences, and includes the opportunity to work closely with academics and clinicians. The production of written reports alongside regular meetings with the academic supervisors will be required to assess the progress of the project. PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.

Applicants for this position should have a BSc and/or MChem/MSc degree (1^st or 2.1) in Chemistry or Biology with specialisation in one or more of the following areas: physical chemistry, biomaterials chemistry, biomedical science. Good background and experimental skills in colloid and surface science, cell culturing and biomaterials science would be beneficial. The applicant should be enthusiastic, with good interpersonal and communication skills.

To apply for this post please click on the ‘Apply’ button below

In order to qualify for this scholarship you will require a 2.1 in a relevant subject.

Full-time UK/EU PhD Scholarship will include fees at the ‘home/EU’ student rate and maintenance (£13,726 in 2013/14) for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.  
Full-time International Fee PhD Studentships will include full fees at the International student rate for three years, dependant on satisfactory progress.

PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.