PhD Study : Self-powered, point-of-care diagnostics for resource-limited settings

Summary

Ulster University’s strategic plan highlights “health communities” as one of it’s four core themes. In line with this, at the Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio-Engineering Centre (NIBEC), our work is focused on the development of healthcare technologies, advanced materials, and in particular point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics, on which the proposed PhD is based. Accurate, rapid diagnosis lies at the heart of PoC devices and helps drive the monitoring, treatment, and clinical outcome for patients. Employing colorimetric/fluorescence-based lateral-flow assays (LFA), these PoC devices rely on either a visual non-quantitative colorimetric read-out, which is prone to user-bias, or utilises expensive proprietary PoC readers for processing, analysis and communication of results.

For resource-constrained settings, the provision and implementation of such instrumented solutions is hindered by cost, poor infrastructure, intermittent power, and issues with reliable storage. In response to the growing demands for quantification, sensitivity, and traceability in healthcare diagnostics, there is an urgent need for development of inexpensive platform POC reader technology which is independent of: (i) time-bound colorimetric response and (ii) infrastructure/resource constraints i.e erratic power supply or battery challenges (replacement cost, shelf-life and recyclability).

The proposed PhD program aims to overcome these challenges by facilitating the development of a proof-of-principle self-powered quantitative POC reader. This will be achieved through research into triboelectric energy nanogenerators (TENGs)2-5, with integration of suitable low-cost optical sensing and readout platforms.6 The harvesting of mechanical energy by TENGs is expected to provide significant power and energy densities and through the development of power management circuits, high conversion, storage and delivery efficiencies.

As part of this PhD, you will be exposed to a diverse range of experimental techniques in materials development for energy harvesters, LFA’s, rapid prototyping and low-power design technologies. As a test-case, the project will focus on a non-specific but key infection biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP). It is, however, anticipated that further development of multiplexing techniques for multi-analyte detection will be pursued to provide a rapid and accurate on-demand diagnosis of topical diseases, even in the remotest and resource-constrained communities.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living