PhD Studentship (DLA)
Talking Electrically to Cells: Discovering Transmembrane Proteins to Improve Cell – Bioelectronic Interfaces for Electroceuticals and Biosensors
Important project information
This opportunity is for students willing to undertake an MSc by Research with the potential to advance to a PhD.
Application deadline: 31st March 2026
Overview
Humans are awash with bioelectrical signals – for example, throughout our nervous system. But out electrical nature goes deeper – diseases such as cancer exhibit altered membrane potentials, and voltage gradients guide cells towards wounds during healing. These are tantalising glimpses of the role bioelectricity plays in both the regulation of life, and of its therapeutic potential.
The challenge
Measuring bioelectrical signals is tricky. Hard, inorganic electrodes radically alter cell behaviour (in vitro cellular phenotype) and trigger adverse responses when inside the body (in vivo foreign body reaction). Single-cell techniques such as patch-clamp are time consuming and impossible at scale.
Fabricating electrodes from soft conductive materials helps, as do electrode coatings coated which attempt to mimic cell binding molecules or attract cells electrostatically (e.g. RGD peptides, poly-lysine). However, these approaches are often cell agnostic and can leave thick, disordered layers of polymer on the electrode surface – a barrier signal transduction. A better, biology-driven approach is needed.
The opportunity
To combine three ideas from three disciplines – engineering, biology and chemistry to create electrode surfaces that intimately integrate with the cell surface, in an approach widely applicable across bioengineering and the emerging electroceutical industry (the use of electricity in therapeutics).
How
You will take advantage of an existing array of >1,500 soluble recombinant transmembrane proteins, and develop approaches to spatially-patterning these onto high-density microelectrode arrays (surfaces that can sense and stimulate electrical signals) using state-of-the-art patterning systems, and charge-carrier sensitive bioconjugation strategies.
You will work closely with biologists, chemists, biophysicists and bioengineers, learn how to apply different forms of surface chemistry, culture cells, develop bioelectronics and use techniques such as high-throughput image analysis in order to evaluate your results.
The team
You will be joining the Complex Interface Team, a new interdisciplinary research group led by Dr Stuart Higgins (School of Physics, Engineering and Technology), working to understand the role of bioelectricity and its application in healthcare. The team is supported by ~£2 million in funding, providing a well-resourced environment to deliver your research.
You will be supervised by Stuart, Professor Gavin Wright (Department of Biology) and Professor Alison Parkin (Department of Chemistry) – giving you access to diverse teams to help you achieve your goals.
Beyond the lab
We publish our Team Ethos proudly for all to see. Stuart is an award-winning supervisor, officially recognised by the UK Council for Graduate Education, and has over 10-years’ experience advocating for best practice in academia.
We are building a new network to unite bioelectricity and bioelectronics expertise across the UK, giving you the opportunity to interact with research, industrial and clinical teams, developing your professional skills and building your network.
By the end of this studentship
You will have highly-desirable interdisciplinary abilities, broad network, and transferable professional skillset, ideally suited for a future career in industrial biomedical roles or academia.
Want to know more? Visit the website of the Complex Interface Team to read more about our work, ethos and values – and if you’re interested, contact Stuart for an informal conversation.
How to Apply
This opportunity is for students willing to undertake an MSc by Research with the potential to advance to a PhD.
Applicants should apply via the University’s online application system and submit an MSc by Research application. Please read the application guidance first so that you understand the various steps in the application process.
For more information on this award please visit the Doctoral Landscape Awards (Widening Participation) pages.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team, and welcome applicants with diverse career paths and backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
Applications will be evaluated using a standardised rubric, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview via video conferencing (with the opportunity for reasonable adjustments, as required).
This is a competition-funded opportunity, so if selected at interview, you will be put forward to a further panel selection in May. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to Stuart.
Funding notes
This Doctoral Landscape Award (Widening Participation) will cover the tuition fee at the home rate (£5,238 for the 2026-27 academic year), an annual stipend at the standard research council rate (£21,805 for the 2026-27 academic year) for one year in the first instance and a further 2.5 years if you transfer to a PhD and a research training and support grant (RTSG).
The award is open to individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria: first-generation university students, those from low-income households (annual income under £26,000), students from ethnic minority backgrounds, mature students, disabled students, female, non-binary and transgender students, and care leavers. It also welcomes applicants who have been out of higher education, are currently in work, serve as carers, or come from other underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds.
The award is designed to nurture talent, provide financial support, and create inclusive pathways into doctoral study for those who may otherwise face barriers to academic progression. Please note this opportunity is open to UK students only.