PhD Studentship – Mechanosensitive Nanochannels

NanoHelp; Manchester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded for Home students

UKRI stipend: £21,805

Tuition fees covered for Home students

Stipend expected to increase

Job summary

The University of Manchester in Manchester, UK, invites applications for a fully funded PhD (3.5 years) to develop artificial mechanosensitive nanochannels inspired by biological receptors using 2D materials like graphene.

The project combines nanotechnology, materials science, biomimetics, nanofluidics and ion transport, aiming to engineer channels that respond to touch and mechanical stimuli and convert ion transport into electrical signals.

Qualifications

• Upper Second-Class honours in Physics, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Engineering, or related field.
• Alternatively, a 2:1 with Merit Master's in a relevant subject.
• Interest in nanotech, nanofluidics, advanced materials, or biomimetics.

Responsibilities

• Design artificial nanochannels with tunable sensitivity to mechanical deformation.
• Develop selective ion transport mechanisms through engineered nanochannels.
• Control nanochannel geometry and surface chemistry for selective ion permeability.
• Integrate signal-processing to convert ion transport into electrical signals.
• Develop biomimetic nanosystems distinguishing touch, force, and pressure.

Skills

Nanotech interest

Education

2:1 Honours or international equivalent

2:1 with Merit Masters

Job description

Organization: The University of Manchester

Department: Physics and Astronomy

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Programme: PhD (3.5 Years)

Project Overview

This fully funded PhD project aims to develop artificial mechanosensitive nanochannels inspired by biological receptors using advanced two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene. The research seeks to engineer nanochannels capable of responding to touch, force, pressure, and other mechanical stimuli by controlling ion transport, enabling biomimetic sensing technologies.

The project combines nanotechnology, materials science, biomimetics, nanofluidics, and ion transport to create next-generation artificial mechanosensitive systems.

Research Objectives

• Design artificial nanochannels with tunable sensitivity to mechanical deformation.
• Develop selective ion transport mechanisms through engineered nanochannels.
• Control nanochannel geometry and surface chemistry for selective ion permeability.
• Integrate signal-processing mechanisms that convert ion transport into electrical signals.
• Develop biomimetic nanosystems capable of distinguishing touch, force, pressure, and mechanical stress.

Required Qualifications

• Upper Second-Class (2:1) Honours degree (or international equivalent) in Physics, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Alternatively, a 2:1 Honours degree with a Merit Master's degree in a relevant subject.
• Strong interest in nanotechnology, nanofluidics, advanced materials, or biomimetic systems.

Funding

• Fully funded for eligible UK Home students.
• Annual tax-free UKRI stipend: £21,805 (2026/27 rate).
• Full tuition fees covered for Home students.
• Stipend expected to increase annually.
• Self-funded Home and Overseas applicants are also welcome to apply.

Project Details

• Duration: 3.5 years.
• Expected start date: October 2026.
• Applications accepted year-round.

Supervisor

Principal Supervisor: Professor Radha Boya