PhD Studentship: Textile Fibres from Recombinant Keratin Proteins

Key facts

Deadline – Friday 18 November 2022

Number of funding places – 1

Country eligibility – UK only

Source of funding – University of Leeds

Summary

This is a highly competitive scholarship consisting of the award of fees with an annual maintenance grant of 17,688 GBP for 3 years.

The Scholarships are available to start as soon as possible. All candidates will be assessed and selection is based on academic merit.

Applicants are invited to apply for a fully funded PhD programme to carry out a feasibility study to identify novel ways of producing recombinant keratin proteins and to produce sustainable textile fibers. The project will be conducted across the School of Design and the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and will use molecular techniques for designing, cloning and producing a range of keratin proteins.

Production of these recombinant proteins will be followed by biophysical analysis to determine size, purity and characteristics using state-of-the-art techniques such as cryo-EM and NMR, as well as fibre formation and characterisations. This project will provide proof-of-principle for future production routes for generating sustainable textile fibres.

The successful applicant will join the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), a collaborative international research Institute that applies academic expertise, working together with external partners, both industrial from across the world, to address global challenges and sustainable development in textile and colour industries. We are focused on the development of innovative science and technology, materials, methods and processes. Technology-driven sustainable development is a major part of our work, hosted by the School of Design at the University of Leeds.

The School of Design is a world leading research centre with a focus in creativity and developing innovative materials and manufacturing solutions with interdisciplinary researchers and industrial partners.

How to apply

Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the University Online Application Form . Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is “Textile Fibres from Recombinant Keratin Proteins” with Professor Ningtao Mao and Dr Brian Jackson as your proposed supervisors.

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University’s minimum English language requirements (below).

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a strong chemistry background, with a good understanding of molecular biology, biophysical techniques (e.g. NMR) or textile technology desirable. Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in textile chemistry, polymer chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry and textile technology or another appropriate undergraduate or Masters discipline.

English language requirements

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

Contact details

For further information please contact the Faculty PGR Admissions Team

email: ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk  

For further information related to the project please contact Professor Ningtao Mao at n.mao@leeds.ac.uk and Dr Brian Jackson at b.r.jackson@leeds.ac.uk