Fully-funded PhD Studentship in Label-free Vibrational Imaging Techniques for Applications in Bio-Chemical Analysis (826417EB)

PhD Supervisor(s): Dr Sumeet Mahajan and Prof. Francesco Poletti

Co-supervisors/collaborators: Dr John Day (University of Bristol) and Mr Diederik Bulters (University Hospital Southampton)

Expected start date: 28thSept 2017

Project Description: 

An exciting fully funded interdisciplinary PhD opportunity is available as part of an established collaboration between Dr Sumeet Mahajan (Chemistry/IfLS) and Prof Francesco Poletti. The overall aim of the project is to bring about step changes in biomedical spectroscopy & imaging technology.

The definitive diagnosis and therefore, determination of appropriate treatment, of cancers such as brain tumours requires histological examination of tissue samples obtained either by means of a biopsy or open surgery. This tedious and time consuming procedure, although the current gold standard, is impractical for guiding surgery besides being unreliable especially for the case of low-grade/early stage cancers. Misdiagnosis and recurrence due to insufficient removal of malignant brain tumours are major reasons for low survival rates. Thus, there is a clear unmet clinical need for accurate diagnosis and close to real time intraoperative guidance for identification of tumour boundaries and the precision removal of brain tumours. Our overall vision is to create an image-based platform that can intraoperatively guide the rapid and accurate in situ diagnosis of tumours and identification of their margins to aid their surgical removal.

Raman spectroscopy is a “label-free’ vibrational spectroscopy technique based on the inelastic scattering of light from a sample. The resultant signals can be used to detect the vibrational modes of molecules, providing details of the chemical composition and molecular structures in a sample. The limited sensitivity of spontaneous Raman, however, currently makes it suitable for pre-operative diagnostics of biopsy tissue, or for intraoperative point detection only. Label-free non-linear imaging techniques such as Coherent Raman Scattering (CRS) and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) used in combination, can distinguish between healthy and tumour tissue and delineate tumour margins with high resolution. This project will seek to develop a new optical fibre based imaging tool for micro-endoscopy that will provide identification of currently undetectable traces of malignancies (cancer) in real-time in order to act as a surgical aid and eliminate the need for patient biopsies. Work will include developing microscopy and image analysis and testing novel fibre designs for improving read-outs in Raman spectroscopy as well with CRS & SHG. The project is collaboration between the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) (www.orc.soton.ac.uk) and the Institute for Life Sciences (IfLS) (www.southampton.ac.uk/ifls).

The above interdisciplinary studentship project is funded by the Institute of Life Sciences and European Research Council (ERC) grants to both Dr Mahajan and Prof Poletti, respectively.  The student will join a highly interdisciplinary project team and have access to state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories available around the University. In particular, the student will have access to labs in both IfLS as well the ORC. The BioNanoPhotonics group led by Dr. Mahajan (http://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/about/staff/sm13g12.page?) has its labs in the IfLS while the Advanced Fibre group led by Prof Poletti (http://www.orc.soton.ac.uk/people.html?person=fp) has its labs in the ORC. The student will also be expected to work in close coordination with Dr John Day and Mr Diederik Bulters (consultant neurosurgeon).  Overall the student can expect to become an expert in hollow-core optical fibres, chemical spectroscopy and imaging, microscopy and instrumentation during the PhD. They will indeed also learn and develop a variety of data and image analysis techniques, develop strong problem solving skills and will be able to apply research ideas for practical implementation in the lab.

Full funding is available for UK/EU students which includes the tuition fees as well as a stipend at the standard RCUK rate (~£14,296 (16/17)).Students from overseas who have secured external funding to cover the difference between home and overseas funding are also welcome to apply. Students with a background in physics or bio-physics or physical chemistry and an interest in optics and developing instrumentation for bio-medical applications would be a good fit to this exciting project area.  Applicants with a Master’s degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) degree and/or with some research experience relevant to this project are particularly encouraged to apply. Enthusiasm to work in a highly dynamic and interdisciplinary environment is vital.

Due to funding restrictions this position is open to UK and EU applicants only

Applications for a PhD in Chemistry should be submitted online at https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Search

Please ensure you select the academic session 2017-2018 when making your application in the academic year field and click on the Research radio button.  Enter Chemistry in the search text field

General enquiries should be made to Dr Sumeet Mahajan at s.mahajan@soton.ac.uk.   Any queries on the application process should be made to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position will be filled if a suitable candidate is identified earlier than the deadline

Closing Date: 31 Mar 2017
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)