About the Project
A fully funded PhD opportunity to participate in the world-leading research undertaken by the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award at the University of Sheffield.
Supervised by Prof Nick Turner and Prof Nicholas Warren.
The University of Sheffield is one of the leading Russell Group universities in the UK. We carry out cutting-edge research with strong links to industry. When you enrol to do a PhD with us, you will be working with world-leading academics and have access to top of the range facilities. As a PhD student you will have the opportunity to gain skills not only to conduct research, but also to take your career to the next level, whether you want to stay in academia, go into industry or the public sector, or set up your own company. You will have access to a range of training and support services to help you excel in your studies and beyond.
Project Description
Biological recognition elements like antibodies and enzymes power everything from diagnostics to drug delivery. Yet, their real-world impact remains constrained by environmental instability and immunogenicity.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are changing that. As robust, highly adaptable synthetic alternatives, MIPs selectively bind proteins, drugs, and toxins across applications in biosensing, targeted therapies, and purification. Conventional development of MIPs relies on computationally expensive simulations followed by slow, manual experimentation that limits effective optimization.
This fully funded 3.5-year PhD project breaks new ground by bringing data-driven machine learning, molecular modelling, and high-throughput automation into synthetic polymer design. You won’t just make materials; you will redefine how they are discovered.
The Project Scope
Working at the cutting edge of polymer chemistry, your research will focus on developing custom MIP hydrogels engineered for two core medical challenges:
- Signal Absorption: Designing smart materials capable of absorbing specific bacterial biochemical signal molecules.
- Controlled Release: Engineering hydrogel frameworks for precise, targeted drug delivery.
Rather than relying on traditional synthetic workflows, you will hybridise computational modelling, data-driven experimental design, with robotic automation and batch analytics to rapidly explore polymer space, dramatically accelerating material discovery.
World-Class Infrastructure & Collaboration
You will join a vibrant interdisciplinary environment hosted jointly across the Discipline of Chemistry (School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences) and the Discipline of Materials (School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering). You will engage with:
- Machine Intelligence Expertise: Collaborate closely with the Sheffield Centre for Machine Intelligence to build and refine predictive ML algorithms.
- Healthcare Impact: Conduct research within the renowned Insigneo Institute, driving innovation at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and science.
- Automated Labs: Gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art high-throughput synthesis platforms and advanced analytical instrumentation.
These are supported by exceptional polymer synthetic and characterisation facilities.
Comprehensive Skills & Career Training
This studentship offers rigorous, multi-faceted training designed to build an exceptional career profile in modern chemistry and materials science. You will gain direct expertise in:
- Advanced polymer synthesis and material characterisation
- Bioassay design and high-throughput experimentation
- Robotic lab automation, data science, and programming
- Academic dissemination, patenting, and commercialisation strategies
To prepare you for leadership roles in industry or academia, you will receive tailored career development, options for teaching and mentoring, and full financial support to present your research at national and international conferences. The supervisory team maintains a track record of high-impact publishing and active integration into global AI-chemistry, biological and polymer networks.
Candidate Profile
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related discipline.
- Required: A passion for interdisciplinary research, strong foundational chemistry knowledge, and enthusiasm for computational methods and laboratory automation.
- Desirable: Prior experience in polymer science, data analysis, or computer programming is advantageous, though comprehensive training in these tools will be provided.
Ready to pioneer the next generation of smart materials?
How to apply
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the project supervisors to discuss your interest in and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application.
Please refer to the EPSRC DLA webpage for detailed information about the EPSRC DLA and how to apply.
Applicants must ensure that they use the correct application form linked to the EPSRC DLA webpage and must submit an application for October 2027 entry. The form is unique to the EPSRC DLA. It contains the list of advertised projects from which to select, and three questions specific to the DLA.
The application deadline is 17:00 GMT 13 January 2027.
The majority of our DLA studentships will be allocated to candidates who qualify for Home fee status, in accordance with EPSRC funding regulations which place strict limits on international recruitment.
Funding Notes
The award will fund the full tuition fee and a maintenance stipend at the UKRI rate (currently £21,805 per annum) for 3.5 years, as well as a research grant to support costs associated with the project.
