(BBSRC NWD) Biochemical Imaging for the Identification and Characterisation of Plastic Degrading Enzymes

Plastics are a broad range of solid polymeric materials that have found widespread application globally. However, there has been a steady accumulation of discarded plastics and there is now growing awareness that they present a significant hazard to the natural environment and human health. As a result, there is a need to discover new methods for the economical, safe and sustainable reprocessing or degradation of waste plastics; to either innocuous small molecules or to other molecules that can serve as feedstocks for new products. 

However, there are currently no effective methods for the molecular degradation of materials such as thermoset plastics (e.g. phenolic and epoxy resins) and silicone rubbers because these materials are comprised C-C, C-O and Si-O chemical bonds that typically require harsh conditions to cleave. Promising new enzymatic reactions have recently been discovered that may be able to tackle these materials but their full potential is unexplored. 

This project aims to recombinantly engineer new oxidase and hydrolase enzymes that can efficient degrade epoxy and silicone polymers. A key aspect of this research will also be the application of (bio)chemical imaging methods to rapidly detect and characterise enzymatic degradation on the surface of polymer films. Thus, the research will involve mutagenesis and production of enzymes, the chemical synthesis of the polymers, and the use of spectroscopic imaging methods for surface analysis. 

This research will suit a chemist, biochemist or molecular biologist with an interest in working on a varied and multidisciplinary project. The successful candidate will join a growing team of researchers from a range of backgrounds from chemistry, molecular biology and biophysics. They will receive a broad scientific training across these areas, as appropriate to their background. The research group is based at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (www.mib.ac.uk) and offers state-of-the-art laboratories, instrumentation and facilities.   

https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/l.s.wong  

https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/perdita.barran  

https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/roy-goodacre  

https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/howbeer-muhamad-ali  

Eligibility

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a minimum Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology. 

International applicants

We are only able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. Visit our ‘Eligibility and entry requirements’ page to find out more about our English language requirements.

Before you Apply

Browse our BBSRC NWD in Bioscience projects and discover one you’re passionate about that matches your interests, ambitions and goals.

Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.

How to Apply

All applications should be made via our specific BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience online application form. This is a separate application process specifically for all candidates for this scheme. Applications should not be made through either university’s usual online application system.

You must submit your application form along with the required supporting documents by the deadline date. You can select up to two projects on one single application, noting the title of each project from the advert and the supervisor name. This can include two projects from one institution or a project from each institution. 

Before you complete your application you should prepare the following supporting documents:

·      CV

·      Personal statement

·      Degree certificates and transcripts (if your qualification is still pending, please ensure this is clear on your application form and you can send this to us at a later date)

·      Two references

·      Evidence of English language qualifications (if completed)

Complete the application form: https://forms.office.com/e/HVXALrVa0P

Once you have completed your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email and             you should reply to this email with all of your supporting documentation as soon as possible to: [email protected]

Deadline: Friday, 31 January 2025, 5pm

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you need help with this stage of the process, or have any queries regarding your eligibility (such as if you achieved unexpectedly low degree results due to extenuating circumstances), please contact the Doctoral Admissions team for advice at [email protected].

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website.