PhD

 studentship:  Biophysics  of  Cell  Adhesion  

Electronic  Engineering  and  Physics  Division  &  Centre for Oncology & Molecular
Medicine,  University  of  Dundee  

Applications  for  an  EPSRC  funded  PhD  position  in  the  biophysics  of  cell  adhesion  are  invited  from  well  
qualified   (2(i)   honours   degree   and   above   from   the   UK,   or   equivalent)   students   to   undertake   studies   in   a  
collaborative   project   between   researchers   in   the  Electronic   Engineering   and   Physics   Division  and   Centre  
for  Oncology  &  Molecular  Medicine  at  the  University  of  Dundee.    

Cell   adhesion   is   important   in   many   physiological   and   pathological   conditions   such   as   host   defence,  
autoimmunity   and   cancer.   The   project   will   be   aimed   at   measuring   the   adhesion   forces   of   leucocytes  
under  shear  flow  and  will  involve  the  development  of  optical  force  sensing  and  microfluidic  techniques  
based   around   optical   manipulation   and   related   techniques.   The   successful   candidate   will   explore   how  
cells  adhere  to  the   blood  vessel  endothelium  while  experiencing  shear  flow,  exploring  biophysical  and  
biochemical   processes   pertinent   to   this   effect.   The   project   will   span   single   molecule   and   whole   cell  
analysis.    

The  ideal  candidate  will  either  have  a  degree  in  physics,  biophysics  or  related  engineering  fields,  and  will  
have   an   interest   in   pursuing   interdisciplinary   projects   or   will   have   a   biology   background   with   a  
willingness   to   develop   biophotonics   expertise   and   instrumentation   development.   Funding   is   only  
available  for  UK  or  eligible  EU  students.  

Minimum  annual  stipend  for  the  position  is  £13,590.  

The  positions  are  available  immediately,  but  candidates  should,  ideally,  be  able  to  start  by  1st  
September.  

Enquiries  may  be  addressed  to  Dr  David  McGloin  (d.mcgloin@dundee.ac.uk),  from  the  Electronic  
Engineering  and  Physics  Division,  or  Dr  Susanna  Fagerholm  (s.c.fagerholm@dundee.ac.uk),  from  the  
Centre  for  Oncology  &  Molecular  Medicine  

Formal  applications,  preferably  by  email  can  be  sent  to  Dr  McGloin  or  Dr  Fagerholm,  to  include  a  cover  
letter  and  detailed  CV,  or  via  mail  to  Dr  David  McGloin,  Electronic  Engineering  and  Physics  Division,  
University  of  Dundee,  Nethergate,  Dundee  DD1  4HN.  The  position  is  open  until  filled.