About the role
This EPSRC funded position is part of the UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing (Q-BIOMED) Research Hub, a major £24M investment to create a world-leading centre dedicated to quantum sensors for health. Our mission is to engineer a new generation of quantum sensors to transform the future of early diagnosis and treatment, spanning cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and infectious diseases. Q-BIOMED is one of five quantum research hubs supported by the National Quantum Technologies Programme and brings together six outstanding academic powerhouses (UCL, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Warwick, Cardiff University, and Heriot-Watt University), working in partnership with six NHS trusts, as well as charities, government, and industry partners.
About you
Applications are invited for a PDRA to work in the groups of Prof. Vijay Chudasama in the Department of Chemistry, and Dr Mike Thomas and Dr Ben Miller in the London Centre of Nanotechnology, University College London. This position is available to work on the development of quantum-based nanodiamond strategies to enable sensitivity enhancement in lateral flow assays (LFAs). LFAs represent point-of-care devices that are cheap-to-manufacture, produce rapid results, and require minimal training and equipment to operate. They have been used to diagnose a variety of diseases using simple colorimetric readouts, however they typically fall short of the sensitivity of more time and effort-intensive molecular or plate-based diagnostic tests. This work aims to enhance the performance of LFAs by working across three key areas: (i) exploiting a novel ‘capture-and-release’ strategy for signal amplification, (ii) using state-of-the-art quantum-enhanced nanodiamonds to maximise signal readout / sensitivity, and (iii) using oriented antibody (and antibody fragment) attachment via modular click-based chemistries to maximise antibody-antigen binding. We also plan to trial the use of bispecific antibody nanoparticle conjugates to further enhance selectivity / enable novel applications. Encouragingly, preliminary results on gold-based nanoparticles have already shown our novel ‘capture-and-release’ technology to result in a 13-fold sensitivity enhancement when compared to traditional LFA formats.
The post holder will be required to carry out research into bioconjugation reactions and nanoparticle modifications, building on enticing initial discoveries in our laboratories. This will involve the design and synthesis of reagents, as well as investigating and optimising their reactivity, their stability and their direct application to LFAs. The novel chemistry developed in this post may also be explored in terms of application to peptide/protein modification more broadly.
Experimental work will be carried out independently but also as part of a team of researchers based in the Q-BIOMED hub. The postholder will be expected to have some pastoral care over PhD and Masters students, assisting experimentally with their research projects, where necessary.
Key Requirements
The successful candidates will have a PhD degree (or be about to be awarded a PhD) in an area of chemistry, chemical biology or a related area. The successful candidate should have a good publication track record and a demonstrated commitment to excellence. Excellent laboratory skills are required. The successful candidates will be required to work in a collaborative team and have effective written and verbal communication skills in English.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
1. 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
2. Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
3. Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
4. Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
5. Immigration loan
6. Relocation scheme for certain posts
7. On-Site nursery
8. On-site gym
9. Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
10. Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
11. Discounted medical insurance