The group of Prof D. Klenerman has a number of PhD projects broadly in two areas. Firstly, applying single molecule and super-resolution microscopy to image the aggregates associated with the development of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, determine how they cause inflammation and to exploit these methods for early diagnosis of disease. Secondly using sensitive fluorescence microscopy imaging of the early event of T cell triggering on live cells to understand how T cells recognise cancer cells and use these insights to develop more effective therapies.
The Archibald group seeks to better understand the causes and consequences of changes in atmospheric composition on air quality and climate and develop mitigation strategies to reach Net Zero. Applicants interested in combining observations made using aircraft and satellite instruments with numerical models developed in the group are particularly encouraged to apply. The work is largely collaborative and provides excellent opportunities to work with other groups across the UK and internationally.
The Clarke group develops novel experimental methods, particularly synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering experiments at the world’s leading facilities, to explore a range of surface science challenges. Presently these include the physical chemistry of novel battery and supercapacitor electrolytes and experimental adsorption measurements to build a new predictive computational capability.
The Jenkins group uses first-principle density functional theory and other computational methods to investigate the physics and chemistry of solid surfaces. The group focusses upon the role played by symmetry and topology in constraining surface electronic structure, reactivity, and dynamics. Aspirations include achieving control over the manifestation of surface chirality in synthesis, separation and sensing; prediction of exotic material properties for device applications; and the exploration of heterogeneous catalysis beyond transition-state theory.
The Casford group specializes in the investigation of interfacial adsorption and chemistry across a broad range of fields from lubricant additives to surfactants on surfaces and bio-lipid membranes. Primarily using Sum Frequency Generation spectroscopy, RAIRS and AFM-IR, the group aims to determine the chemistry occurring in interfacial systems, and is therefore happy to hear from any students with an interest in surface spectroscopy. Current projects include investigating the impact of kinase inhibitors on the structure of the red blood cell surface membrane in the context of mitigating the impact of increased cellular adhesion in Sickle cell disease and the investigation of early English blue wall pigments to determine when artificial blue pigments became available.
The Lee Lab profoundly believes that molecules should be studied one at a time, and that disassembling a microscope is the way to do it. The lab research focuses on developing new biophysical methods to study biological phenomena primarily through the use of advanced optical methods like single-molecule fluorescence imaging and multidimensional super-resolution spectroscopy. The interdisciplinary lab is made of physical chemists, optical physicists, electrical engineers, software developers and cell biologists all working together. The group collaborates heavily with other groups in Cambridge, Oxford, The Crick and UCL.