About the Department

The department has a thriving postgraduate community and the postgraduate training programme provides a full range of courses covering: research techniques, scientific methods, information technology, communication and interpersonal skills, which are tailored to the needs of each student. The department has an excellent cell biology and histology laboratory and strong expertise in light and electron microscopy imaging techniques.

Project description

Full thickness skin loss through major trauma or chronic underlying disease remain major clinical challenges, and there is an unmet need for affordable and effective reconstructive treatments. Particularly, increasing incidence of diabetes predicts an increasing need for effective treatments for diabetic foot ulceration.

We are seeking a dedicated student with a strong foundation in chemistry, biochemistry and cell biology and interest in the interface between materials and biomedicine, for a challenging project to develop a combined biomaterial stem-cell therapy. The main activity will be to develop fibrin-based scaffolds to support stem cell function for tissue reconstruction. The project will involve development and characterisation of biomaterials using techniques from nanotechnology and materials sciences, and evaluation of biological properties using mesenchymal stem cell functional assays.  You will have the opportunity of engaging in cleanroom technology transfer. The project will involve collaboration with University College London and a team in the University of Los Andes (Chile).  You will be based on the OU campus, Milton Keynes, and must be willing to work partly in UCL London, and potentially make working visits to Chile or USA.

Funding information

This Impact industrial collaboration studentship is fully funded for 3 years, covering tuition fees (at UK/EU level) and provides a stipend of £14057 per year.

Requirements of Candidate

A first degree in Biochemistry or a related subject and give evidence of commitment to biomaterials or regenerative medicine research and good numeracy skills.

References

Sharma VN, et al (2015) Biochemie Open 1 [6/6/2015] p6-10; Wahl, EA et al (2014) BioMed Research International. 108571 (9/4/15); Gareta-Garcia, E, et al (2013) BioResearch Open Access 2 (6) 412-420; Dye, JF (2012) Wounds International 6 (2), 6-7; Caiado, F et al (2011) Biomaterials 32 (29) 7096-105.

Contacts

The supervisors are Drs Julian Dye (principal supervisor), Duncan Banks and Martin Bootman. For informal enquiries please contact Dr Julian Dye at Julian.dye@open.ac.uk.

How to apply

To apply, please send an email/letter with a personal statement (outlining your suitability for the studentship, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date) together with your CV and a completed application form  to Science-PhD-Recruitment@open.ac.uk

Interviews:  Week commencing 7 December 2015      

Equal Opportunity is University Policy.

Source: Jobs.ac.uk