PhD Studentship in Computer Science: Engineering Whole-Cell Biosensors Using Microfluidic Platforms Under Dynamic Environmental Conditions

Award Summary

100% UK Home fees covered. The studentship provides an enhanced stipend of £31,805 per year from 2026/2027, significantly above the standard UKRI doctoral stipend, as part of the UKRI TechExpert pilot programme

Overview

The EngBio4Env doctoral training programme is designed to revolutionise how we tackle environmental challenges through engineering biology. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and in collaboration with the UKRI Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC), this programme will train the successful candidate to drive transformative environmental change.  

This fully funded project will explore design principles for whole-cell biosensors to help create robust biosensing technologies for aquatic environments. Environmental pollution in aquatic ecosystems is highly dynamic. Most engineered biosensors for environmental monitoring are characterised under laboratory conditions and poorly reflect the complex dynamics of nature. This limits our ability to predict the performance of biosensors. Microfluidic platforms are ideal for simulating realistic environmental situations. Despite advances in microfluidics for environmental sensing, whole-cell implementations face signal delay and stability constraints. We will combine synthetic biology, microfluidics and computational modelling to address these key challenges. Building on our microfluidics set-up, we will develop engineered microbial biosensors targeting environmentally relevant pollutants.  

The candidate will join a vibrant group of computational and biotechnology researchers at ICOS. Training in microfluidic device set-up and operation will be provided. 

As part of EngBio4Env, the candidate will benefit from training and networking opportunities. Please follow the link for further information on the project and the programme: 

https://engbio4env.com 

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

September 2026

Award Duration

4 years

Application Closing Date

20 July 2026

Sponsor

NERC

Supervisors

Dr Gizem Buldum 

Dr Harold Fellermann 

Prof Natalio Krasnogor 

Eligibility Criteria

You must have or expect to gain a minimum 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant engineering or science discipline to the proposed PhD project (e.g. biotechnology, bioengineering, chemical/biochemical engineering, molecular biology).  

A Masters qualification in a relevant subject area will be highly advantageous. Enthusiasm for experimental research is essential. Familiarity with microfluidic devices is desirable but not essential. 

Due to funding restrictions, this project is only open to students eligible for UK Home rate fees. 

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills. 

How To Apply

Use Apply to Newcastle Portal 

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’. 

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study: 

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using programme code: 8050F 
• Research Area: Computing Science 
• Select PhD Computer Science as programme of study 

You need to provide the following in ‘Further Details’ section: 

• ‘Personal Statement’ - upload a document/written statement directly into application form 
• When prompted - select ‘Write Proposal’. Type the title of the research project from this advert. You don’t need to upload a research proposal. 
• Degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if already completed. 
• Studentship code COMP2182 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field 

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section upload: 

• your CV 

Contact Details

Gizem Buldum 

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