PhD Studentship in Soft Matter Cell Biomechanics (attendance to a Chinese University and Chinese Nationality required))

Type of studentship: China Scholarship Council
(CSC) / Queen Mary Joint PhD scholarship

Institution: Queen
Mary University of London, School of Engineering and Materials Science

Project title: “Multiscale simulation of
viscoelastic cell interfacial mechanics in micropipette aspiration experiments”

Broad
research area: Computational Biomechanics; Applied Mathematics; Soft Matter

PhD Supervisors:

Dr. Lorenzo Botto (Assistant Professor in Engineering Simulation
and Modelling)

Website:  webspace.qmul.ac.uk/lbotto  

Prof. Martin Knight (Full Professor of Bioengineering)

Project
details: The primary focus of this research is to extend a mathematical
model currently developed in Botto’s research group to enable an accurate
description of viscoelastic cell deformation in micropipette aspiration
experiments. The project is interdisciplinary, and includes elements of
continuum mechanics of interfaces, non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, soft matter, and
applied mathematics applied to biological systems. A strong grounding in
physics and math, and an interest in exploring biological topics, is therefore essential.
The project has important applications to stem cell research and regenerative
medicine. The student will have the opportunity to work in collaboration with
experimental researchers in the bioengineering group of Prof. Knight. It is
expected that this project will lead to high-impact publications in the area of
biophysics and biomechanics (an example of relevant publication is Brugues et
al., “Dynamical organization of the cytoskeletal cortex probed by micropipette
aspiration”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of America,107
(35), 2010). At the end of the project, the student will have a solid
understanding of mathematical and computational techniques applied to biological
fluid/solid mechanics and the ability to navigate the field of biological soft
matter.

Prerequisites:  good BS degree in Engineering, Physics or
Mathematics. A Master degree is desirable, but not essential. The student
should have an interest in fundamental science - with an applied spin.

CSC/QMUL Studentship
scheme details: Queen Mary offers joint PhD
scholarships in co-operation with the China Scholarship Council (CSC). The scholarships are available for students who would
like to study for their PhD at Queen Mary and are valid for the duration of the
student’s programme (up to 4 years). Under this scheme Queen Mary, University
of London provides a scholarship to cover all tuition fees and bench fees, and
the CSC provides living expenses
and one return flight ticket to successful candidates.

Eligible
candidates should be citizens and permanent residents of the People’s Republic
of China at the time of application.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.busman.qmul.ac.uk/globalpartnerships/csc_scholarship/

Application Method: Candidates interested in
applying to this position should send their CV to Dr. Lorenzo Botto (l.botto@qmul.ac.uk). Informal enquires are
welcome.

Deadline for
applications: the
ultimate deadline for the application through the CSC Scheme at Queen Mary is
January 31st 2014. However, the applications should be received by
Jan 25th 2014 to leave room for a Skype interview and the necessary
paperwork.