Biological sciences » Biological engineering
Organisation/Company Heriot-Watt University Department Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 6 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
About the network
StraDiVarious (www.stradivarious.eu ) is a European-wide intersectoral doctoral training network focussed on focus on emerging bacterial threats – specifically the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp). Our goal is to make a difference in the development of next-generation strain-specific rapid diagnostics, and to help find potential drug/vaccine targets.
About the Project
The project is based in the Peyman Research Group at Heriot-Watt University, Scotland, UK.
Organ-on-chip is a branch of microfluidic technology that cultures cells and tissues inside microfluidic devices to mimic the structure and microenvironment of in the body. These platforms can be used to study disease progression and screen for drug interventions without using animal models.
In this project, the PhD candidate will develop an organ-on-chip device to support the growth and stability of 3D human microvasculature to study pathogens responsible for blood infections, in particular ESKAPE pathogen Staphylococcus Aureus in collaboration with researchers at Lund University, Sweden. The humanised endothelial-on-chip model will be used to study bacterial adhesion, and host colonisation in blood vessels that mimic in vivo conditions, both in the biology and the biophysical flow characteristics. The candidate will study conditions in which pathogens adhere to host cells, and how colonisation progresses in real-time. The response of the host cells to infection will also be studied, and may shed light on new targets for therapeutic intervention. This project will align strongly with the 3Rs by developing advanced in vitro platforms towards the replacement of animal models in research.
Methods will include microfluidic design, fabrication and characterisation using a combination of microscopy, image analysis and flow analysis. Cell culture and advanced fluorescence microscopy to study 3D vasculature network formation and biological assays for assessing host cell interactions with pathogens.
The candidate must have a Master’s degree or equivalent in bioengineering, biotechnology or related subject at the time of admittance to the programme
To be considered for this project you MUST submit a formal online application: full details on eligibility and how to apply can be found on the StraDiVarious website: www.stradivarious.eu. We encourage students to apply to up to three different positions in the doctoral network.
Your application formmustbe accompanied by a number of supporting documents by the advertised deadlines. Without all the required documents submitted at the time of application, your application will not be processed and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications may not be considered.If you have queries regarding making an application, please contact the StraDiVarious team at stradivarious-admin@helsinki.fi
Equality, Diversity and Accessibility
Heriot-Watt University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
Funding Notes
This is a three year European Doctoral Network training position, open to qualified applicants from around the world without preconditions, with the exception that they must not have resided in Finland for more than 12 of the last 36 months at the time of taking up the position.
* Application deadline: January 6th, 2026
* Interviews: February 9th and 13th, 2026 (be available both days)
* Duration: 3 years
References
* 2023. Bourn MD, Mohajerani SZ, Mavria G, Ingram N, Coletta PL, Evans SD, Peyman SA. ‘Tumour Associated Vasculature-on-a-chip for the Evaluation of Microbubble-Mediated Delivery of Targeted Liposomes.’ Lab on a Chip, 23 (6), 1674.
* 2022. Leva-Bueno J, Meuskens I, Linke D, Millner PA, Peyman SA. ‘A novel, proof-of-concept electrochemical impedimetric biosensor based on extracellular matrix protein–adhesin interaction.’ Sensors & Diagnostics, 1 (5), 1003>
* 2022. Kpeglo D, Hughes MDG, Dougan L, Haddrick M, Knowles MA, Evans SD, Peyman SA. ‘Modeling the mechanical stiffness of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.’ Matrix Biology Plus, 14, 100109.
2020. Bourn MD, Batchelor DVB, Ingram N, McLaughlan JR, Coletta PL, Evans SD, Peyman SA. ‘High-throughput microfluidics for evaluating microbubble enhanced delivery of cancer therapeutics in spheroid cultures.’ JCR. 326, 13-24.
Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent
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