PhD studentship, Oppurtunity

[volunteer]

4. PhD studentship, University of Porstmouth
Posted by: "claire_hellio" claire...@yahoo.fr claire_hellio
Tue Jun 2, 2009 8:14 am (PDT)


PhD studentship, Novel bioactive compounds from microalgae, University
of Porstmouth, UK

We have recently been awarded fundings for an exciting
new project to study the production of new bioactive compounds from
microalgae. As part of this 3-year project we are looking to recruit a
phd student.

For industries that operate and maintain structures in the marine
environment, biofouling has huge economic implications and solving the
"biofouling problem" is one of the most significant challenges that
marine technology has to face. The most efficacious compound used so
far within antifouling (AF) paints was tri-butyl tin (TBT), but due to
its extreme toxicity its use has been banned. There is a need,
therefore, to develop new environmentally compatible AF agents that
would be equally effective against severe fouling organisms. One
potentially promising approach is the use of bioactive ingredients
produced by marine organisms, since these metabolites already exist in
the marine environment, are target-oriented and biodegradable. Within
this project, we will focus on microalgae, a group that has never been
extensively screened for novel bioactive compounds even though they
are both diverse and cultivable.

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed applicants with a strong
academic record in disciplines related to microbiology and/or
chemistry. The project will start in October 2009 and will be
supervised by Dr Claire Hellio (School of Biological Sciences,
University of Portsmouth) and Prof Paul Hayes (School of Biological
Sciences, University of Portsmouth). The position will
be based at University of Portsmouth, though it is expected that
successful applicants could spend some time in Toulon (France)and in
Fort de France (French West Indies).

Indicative areas of research for the PhD student are: cultivation of
micralgae, screening of biological activties on major fouling
organisms, purification of compounds, paints formulation.

For further details please contact Claire Hellio:
claire...@port.ac.uk
Tel: +44 2392 84 2073.

Deadline for applications: 30th June
Please send a cv and a cover letter to
Dr CLaire Hellio
School of Biological Sciences
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth
PO1 2DY
claire...@port.ac.uk