Engineering: Fully Funded KESS II PhD Scholarship at Swansea University: Microneedle based theranostics

*This scholarships is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.*

PhD Scholarship for UK or EU applicants in the field of: Medical Engineering/Biomedical Engineering/Bioengineering/Physical Sciences/Analytical Sciences

The proposed PhD studentship on development of a microneedle (MN) based theranostic platform will unite diagnostic and therapeutic applications in a single MN device, allowing drug delivery and treatment response monitoring. Treatment of cancer by targeting tumour sites using functionalised nanoparticles, followed by stimulation of these nanoparticles to destroy cancerous tissue is a classic example of the existing theranostics application. The main challenges to the existing approach are ethical issues and poor patience compliance. MN based therapeutic drug delivery will disrupt these approaches and offer a safe route to delivering personal medicine.

The PhD studentship will develop microneedle-based devices as novel theranostics paradigm. Microneedles offer a minimally invasive route to transdermal therapeutic drug delivery and diagnostic applications. However, a combined MN diagnostic and therapeutic device (theranostic) is highly novel.

Scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners including SME’s and micro companies, as well as public and third sector organisations. The scholarship provides 3 years of funding with a 6 month period to complete the thesis. The achievement of a postgraduate skills development award, PSDA, is compulsory for each KESS II scholar and is based on a 60 credit award.

Candidates should have a 2.1 or above in their undergraduate degree or a Master’s degree in Medical/Biomedical/Bioengineering, Physical Sciences, Analytical Sciences or a related subject. They should also be eligible for UK/EU Fees.

We would normally expect the academic and English Language requirements to be met by point of application. For details on the University’s English Language entry requirements, please visit – http://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/englishlanguagerequirements/

The scholarship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a stipend. The bursary will be limited to a maximum of £14,483 p.a. dependent upon the applicant's financial circumstances.

There will also be additional funds available for research expenses.

Please visit our website for more information.