PhD Studentship - Cryopreservation of T-cells for Improved Transport and Therapy

Application deadline: All year round

Research theme: Biotechnology and cryobiology

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

UK students

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants and EU students with settled status. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. 

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

All modern biotechnology, basic cell biology research and many advanced medicines rely on a cold chain to delivery intact and viable cells. To achieve this cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) are required. Conventional cryopreservation with DMSO is inefficient and leads to slow post-thaw cell growth, which constrains many application areas. We have a major research interest in developing new cryoprotectants, which we achieve with bottom-up science, rather than only reformulating known CPAs, to target specific mechanisms of damage. In particular inspiration from natural macromolecular cryoprotectants (ice binding proteins) to both understand why the cells suffer post-thaw, but to also improve and scale the process. We have made major contributions in this area, including the use of Machine learning to discover new cryoprotectants [Nature Communications 2024, 15, 8082], macromolecular cryoprotectants [ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 2023, 15, 2630] and also for cold-chain free protein storage [Nature, 2024, 631, 544]
In this PhD, which is co-funded by an industrial partner, we will look to improve the storage of several biotechnologically relevant cell lines with the aim of accelerating bioprocessing. There will be opportunities to visit our industry partner (based in Northern England).

We have world-class facilities for this work, in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, including dedicated microscopy facilities (high content and confocal) flow cytometers and other associated facilities. Our group webpage is here https://gibsongroupresearch.com where additional information can be found.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline. Experience of cell culture will be a benefit.

Please send a 2 page CV (max) including publications, research experience and grades to Professor Gibson - matt.gibson@manchester.ac.uk.

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