Faculty
SEC
School/Section
Life Sciences
Degree
PhD
Fee level coverage
Home / EU
Annual stipend
£19,376
Mode of attendance
Full-time
Contact name (DoS)
Professor D Naughton
Special conditions
See “Eligibility” section
below
Closing date
Midnight BST on 18th
August
PhD Studentship
Applications are invited for a funded studentship available within the Faculty of Science,
Engineering and Computing, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University.
Fee level of sponsorship: UK/EU fee level - international candidates would need to
demonstrate that they can fund the difference in fees (currently £8,704).
Annual stipend: £19,226
Project Title: Enzymatic Mechanisms of Breath Odour Generation and
Characterisation of Microbial Odour
The development and application of models to investigate mechanisms of, and remedial
approaches to, oral health conditions is challenging in terms of i) validity of the model and ii)
transferability of observations to the clinical setting. Both challenges are highly dependent on
complete characterisation of the model systems including strengths and limitations. Prior
studies, conducted in collaboration between GSK and KU, have delineated key aspects of
the Sorborad biofilm model, including from Project #1 : i) characterisation of the profile of
VSC generation, along with ii) the effects of foodstuffs on VSC generation coupled to
advances in culture methods for the key constituent organism S. moorei. Project #2,
currently nearing completion, has addressed the therapeutic aspects of Zn addition including
distribution and uptake by the Sorborad (by ICP-MS) along with effects on VSC production.
Studies with confocal microscopy are revealing the pattern of Zn distribution along with cell
death and viability in tangential sections of the Sorbarod. Advances of this nature provide the
potential to further understand the model particularly when applying observations to the
clinical setting.
The objective of this proposal is to further characterise the Sorbarod model in tandem with
an alternate model as a comparator, and apply both to identify the mechanisms of, and
treatment approaches to, malodour.
The project would suit a person with molecular analytical skills attained working in a
microbiology laboratory.
For further details please contact: Professor Declan Naughton, Kingston University, UK.
Email: d.naughton@kingston.ac.uk
Eligibility: minimum Upper Second Class Honours degree in Biomedical Science/
Microbiology/Pharmaceutical Sciences
English Language: If you are not from an English speaking country, or have not studied at
an English university before, you will need to show proof of internet-based IELTS 6.5 (or
equivalent qualification). For IELTS, you need a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
Please see these pages for further information
http://www.kingston.ac.uk/international/studying-at-kingston/language-requirements/
Deadline for applications: 18th August, midnight BST
Expected start date: 1 October 2014 or soon afterwards.
Duration: 4 years
How to apply: Please send the following to secstudentships@kingston.ac.uk with the email
subject “PhD application Enzymatic Mechanisms – Prof D Naughton“
 A completed postgraduate application form available from this link:
 http://sec.kingston.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/current-researchopportunities/funded/docs/PhD%20appn%20form%20Enzymatic%20Mechanisms.docx
 An academic CV
 Copies of your academic certificates (degree level onwards)
 A covering letter stating why you consider you are suitable for the position (maximum
2 pages A4)
 A copy of your English language qualification, if applicable (see ‘English Language’
above)
References do not need to be included with the application, but will be required for
shortlisted applicants.
Please ensure that all required documents are submitted together with your application as
we are unable to consider incomplete applications.
You should assume that your application has been unsuccessful if you have not heard from
us by 5 September 2014.