Current Opportunities
PhD position available!
PhD position in Electrochemistry of Microbial cells
Bacteria are capable of complex metabolic activities which affect them and the environment surrounding them. These can lead to alterations of pH, oxygen availability, and a variety of electrochemical processes. As a result, bacterial contact with abiotic surfaces can impact their integrity and lead to corrosion, also known as microbial induced corrosion. These metabolic processes become even more complex when biofilms are formed. Biofilms are complex microbial communities encased in a protective matrix, often attached to a surface.
Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC) is a serious economic problem with an estimate worldwide cost of $113 Bn every year. MIC impacts a very wide range of industries, from power plants to construction, and even the health of humans with implants or protheses.
Unfortunately, our understanding of microbial-surface electrochemistry is lacking, which limits our ability to deal with its consequences. This is not surprising given the variety of electrochemical processes at work in biofilms.
This PhD project brings together expertise in nanoscale surface science and local scale electrochemistry, cell-surface interaction probes, microbiology and imaging across physical and biological sciences to study the electrochemical process that occurs both at the local site and single cell level and at the population level. With this project, we aim for a better understanding of the fundamental phenomena of microbial electrochemistry, and microbial induced corrosion. This knowledge will aid in the development of novel mitigating strategies that will lead to next-generation surface design principles.
The PhD will include:
- Interdisciplinary science
- Advanced nano-fabrication, nano-imaging and spectroscopic techniques.
The student will register at the University of Liverpool and enrol in NBIC’s Doctoral Training Centre which trains inter-disciplinary PhD researchers at the Interface of Physical and Life Sciences.
- Provide high level training and mentorship in research and entrepreneurship
- Join a National Network of leading Research Groups in the UK
- Join a community of leading companies in the UK.
Applications are encouraged from highly motivated candidates who have, or expect to have, at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics, Materials Science, Microbiology or Engineering. Applications should be made as soon as possible. Candidates will be evaluated as applications are received and the position will be filled if a suitable candidate is identified. The deadline for applications 1st of September 2025
For enquires address your CV and cover letter to Lucy Jones (Lucy.Jones2@liverpool.ac.uk)
Reference number CCPR162
Supervisory team
Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool
Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick
Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms Innovation, Technology and Engineering
The Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms Innovation, Technology and Engineering (BITE) will train PhD researchers at the interface of Physical and Life Sciences to understand the behaviour of biofilms, which are central to the global challenges of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Health, Food Security, Clean Water and Energy.
BITE is a world class interdisciplinary partnership between Universities of Liverpool, Edinburgh, Nottingham and Southampton, all core founding partners of the £26.5M National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC).
What are Biofilms?
Biofilms are communities of micro-organisms that stick to each other within a matrix or at a surface and represent the dominant mode of life for bacteria on earth. Biofilms impact on a ~$5 trillion global economic activity, approximately twice the UK’s GDP, and impact on health and major UK industrial sectors.
BITE DTC provides a unique training experience to the next generation of research leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs so that they can deliver breakthrough science and technologies in the cross-disciplinary field of biofilms. The four partner universities, alongside international institutes, major national facilities and a large industrial consortium have come together to deliver the UK’s first graduate training centre that will address the skills and knowledge gap in the biofilms field. Our research will span the fields of physical, mathematical, engineering, life and clinical sciences.
BITE PhD projects will
- Drive international research challenges by working with leading groups in the partner universities and by encompassing exceptional interdisciplinarity to revolutionise training in the biofilms field
- Involve cohort training with students across the four institutions creating a highly-networked DTC community whose access to a world-leading infrastructure and knowledge-base will enable it to compete with the international best
- Embed innovation and entrepreneurship to catalyse high impact translation of ideas into technology and enhance the business and career prospects of its students
- Involve participation of stakeholders, including industry, government departments and laboratories, charities, NHS, external and internal research institutes for example, through NBIC collaborations
- Instill skills of effective leadership, clear communication and problem solving.
All research projects fit within the following BITE research themes:
Biofilm prevention
Design of surfaces, interfaces and materials to prevent biofilms.
Biofilm detection
Innovative sensing, tracking and diagnostic technologies to detect biofilms.
Biofilm management
Kill, remove or control established biofilms from exploiting their life cycle dynamics.
Biofilm engineering
Control and direct complex microbial communities in process applications.