Overview
Bacteria are capable of complex metabolic activities which affect them and the environment surrounding them, for example inducing corrosion. Our understanding of microbial-surface electrochemistry is lacking, which limits our ability to deal with its consequences. This project aims to improve understanding of the fundamental phenomena of microbial electrochemistry from single-cell to population levels using advanced characterisation techniques.
About this opportunity
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 appointed student will gain multidisciplinary skills and expertise in advanced characterisation techniques, including surface spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, local electrochemistry and bio-imaging approach, leveraging the unique capabilities at our Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces, Surface Science Research Centre and the Centre of Cell Imaging, both equipped with state-of-the-art techniques.
The appointed student will enrol in the NBIC’s Doctoral Training Centre, to be trained as an interdisciplinary scientist at the interface between Physical and Life Sciences. Three external placements will be offered during the PhD, to develop technical skills, knowledge exchange know-how, and awareness of business practice in the innovation sector.
Some teaching duties may be required, and these will be paid on top of the regular stipend.