Chemistry: Fully Funded EPSRC and Swansea PhD Scholarship: Patchy sweet bullets against bacteria (RS687)

Funding providers: EPSRC and Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering

Subject areas: Polymer and Glyco Chemistry, Biomaterials, Antimicrobials

Project start date: 

• 1 January 2025 
• 1 April 2025
• 1 July 2025 

Project supervisors: 

• Dr Sumati Bhatia (sumati.bhatia@swansea.ac.uk)
• Dr Joel Loveridge 
• Professor Thomas Wilkinson 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Chemistry

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description: 

A significant phenotypic heterogeneity exists within the clonal bacterial population for adhesion to different surfaces. Bacteria even lacking adhesive lectins can bind to cells and cause infections. The objective of this studentship is focused on engineering heterogeneous glycosystems with patchy attributes to simultaneously target varied bacterial populations with high selectivity index. 

The candidate will employ an exciting interdisciplinary approach, commencing with polymer and glycochemistry to engineer patchy glycosystems. These systems will be thoroughly characterized in our modern University laboratory using SEM, AFM, and TEM. The efficacy of these materials will be assessed against different bacterial strains in the Institute of Life Sciences at Swansea University. A comprehensive training programme will be provided by an interdisciplinary supervisory team’s expertise in chemistry (Dr Bhatia), natural products (Dr Loveridge), and microbiology (Professor Wilkinson).  

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.  

Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend at £19,237.

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select as per preferred start date-  
   *For January 2025 start select:  

   Chemistry/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / January

   OR

   *For April 2025 start select:

   Chemistry/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / April

   OR

   *For July 2025 start select:

   Chemistry/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / July

   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2025
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS687 - Patchy sweet bullets'

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Sumati Bhatia (sumati.bhatia@swansea.ac.uk).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.