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About this position

We're looking for a # PhD student for a very interdisciplinary project that aims to model and predict purification protocols for industrial # bioprocessing . Our ideal candidate will have strong computational skills, experience in experimental science or engineering, and an interest in protein production technologies. Please get in touch if you're interested.

The project is a collaboration between myself and John Oyekan, PhD, CEng, MIET, FHEA, FRSA at University of York and Christopher Fox at FUJIFILM Biotechnologies . The 4-year studentship is fully funded by EPSRC and will be part of the IBioIC network. Deadline for applications is 5 January 2025. Funding only covers a student eligible for home rate student fees.


Project abstract:
Purification is a critical step in the manufacture of proteins for research, therapeutic and industrial use, and the annual market serving these sectors is worth billions. Substantial work is required to develop a methodology for the purification of a protein target, with each having a bespoke process including multiple bind/elute chromatography steps. An ideal purification approach would be a generic "flow­ through" process as this would reduce both cost and time, and introduce flexibility. This 4-year fully-funded EPSRC CASE PhD project is a collaboration between the Departments of Biology and Computer Science at University of York and FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies (FDBK). The goal of the project is to evaluate whether computational modelling and optimisation can predict protocols for flow­-through purification of recombinant protein targets. Flow-­through purification approaches address a real-world need for economic and flexible production of proteins in smaller amounts for more specialised or smaller markets, and would allow low volume production facilities to be located closer to the point of use.

You will work in a highly supportive research environment that bridges academia and industry. You will receive training across all disciplines of the project and spend 3 months working at FDBK, a national leader in field, to gain experience in industrial protein production. This highly interdisciplinary project would suit a graduate in chemistry, physics or engineering who has strong computational skills and experience in practical lab-based research.

Funding details

The 4-year studentship is fully funded by EPSRC and is part of the IBioIC network. Funding covers tuition and stipend for students eligible for home rate student fees. Includes 3 months industrial placement at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies.

What's required

Applicants should have a degree in chemistry, physics, or engineering, with strong computational skills and experience in practical lab-based research. Interest in protein production technologies is required. Only students eligible for home rate student fees can be funded. Experience in experimental science or engineering is preferred.

How to apply

Contact the supervisors if interested. Prepare your application materials and submit before the deadline. Ensure you meet the eligibility for home rate student fees. Check the University of York and project links for further details.

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