PhD Studentship – Next-Generation Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Real-Time Bioprocess Monitoring
The University of Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom
General Description – include all relevant details from the source
The University of Manchester invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship focusing on Next-Generation Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Real-Time Bioprocess Monitoring. This research project will investigate the design, synthesis, and application of wavelength-tuned, biocompatible carbon dot nanomaterials as multifunctional fluorescent probes for in-line biosensing and biomedical use. With their favourable chemical stability, tunable fluorescence, water solubility, and sustainable synthesis from renewable precursors, carbon dots present a promising platform for real-time sensing of key bioprocess parameters, including pH, reactive oxygen species, redox potential, and ion concentrations. The research aims to advance understanding of fluorescence mechanisms in carbon dots and engineer reliable nanosensors capable of detecting intracellular signals relevant to cellular health, therapeutic delivery systems, and environmental monitoring. This 3.5-year doctoral project is situated within the Department of Materials at The University of Manchester and is supported by EPSRC research funding. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic research community, collaborating across disciplines in materials science and bioprocess analytics.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should have, or be expected to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or a Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline. Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential. The studentship is primarily open to UK (home) applicants, with EU applicants holding settled or pre-settled status and international applicants considered on a case-by-case basis.
Required expertise/skills
Successful applicants will ideally possess a solid foundation in materials chemistry and nanomaterials synthesis, along with familiarity with analytical and spectroscopic characterisation techniques. An aptitude for experimental research, problem-solving, and inter-disciplinary collaboration is highly desirable.
Salary details
The studentship provides a tax-free annual stipend set at the UKRI rate, currently approximately £20,780 for the 2025/26 academic year, with tuition fees paid at the home rate. The stipend is expected to increase annually in line with UKRI guidelines.
Application Deadline
Applications close on 31 March 2026.