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The Biomolecular Sciences Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre (BMRC) is based within the Department of Biosciences and Chemistry within the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences and comprises of a number of research groups. In the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 staff from the BMRC were returned in the Biological Sciences unit of assessment (UoA5). Sheffield Hallam was the second highest ranking modern university in this UoA with 46% of our research being rated as world leading or internationally excellent (4* or 3*).

The BMRC has over 40 students on MPhil/PhD programmes, as well as a number of postdoctoral research assistants. Staff in the BMRC have an established record of obtaining external funding from research councils and charities and often work in collaboration with UK and international scientists, as well as clinical colleagues at a number of UK hospitals. Staff and postgraduate students present their research findings at national and international conferences.

In 2012, the BMRC was awarded an Athena SWAN Silver Award, which was renewed in 2016 for a further 3 years. Athena SWAN is a charter to advance women's careers in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine). The silver award recognises and celebrates good practice in recruiting, retaining and promoting women in STEM subject areas within higher education.

As a research centre committed to world-class, multidisciplinary research, we offer a vibrant community in which postgraduate researchers work closely with experienced academics to develop their knowledge and expertise.

We can support a wide range of research opportunities. Working towards your research degree in the BMRC, you could benefit from:

• supervision by an active researcher in your chosen area
• access to excellent facilities and learning resources
• opportunities for occasional laboratory demonstrations and tutorial teaching work to broaden your experience
• lively debate and discussion with colleagues

Our current students are studying topics across the full range of biomolecular research pursued in the BMRC, and are encouraged to disseminate their research by publishing papers and attending conferences with your supervisor.

Our research is divided into five thematic areas, under which a rich variety of research takes place. Visit the research profiles of the members within a theme to find someone who’s research interests complement your own. We recommend that you contact a researcher with a potential project to see whether this is something we could support and work up a project proposal together with a prospective supervisor to ensure research areas fit with research interests of potential supervisors.

For further information on staff members please visit our staff profiles

Theme 1: Disease mechanisms

Ï㽶ÊÓƵ within this theme focuses on the molecular basis of several disease states together with biomaterial solutions for regeneration and research including:

• Cancer: Dr N Cross, Prof. Le Maitre, Dr Haywood Small, Dr Jordan-Mahy, Dr Peake, Dr Cole, Dr Leyland and Dr Klymenko.
• Neurobiology: Dr A Cross, Dr Campbell, Dr Allen, Dr Haddock, Dr D Smith, Dr Dalton, Dr Princivalle and Dr Crooks.
• Immunology: Dr Haywood-Small, Dr A Cross, Dr Haddock, Dr Leyland.
• Musculoskeletal disorders: Prof. Le Maitre, Dr Peake and Dr Aberdein.
• Cardiovascular disorders: Dr Kelly, Dr Aberdein and Dr Stafford.
• Pharmacology: Dr Lawson.
• Reproduction and infertility: Prof. Laird.
• Nutrition and Obesity: Dr Aberdein, Dr Dalton and Dr Hadden.
• Genomics and bioinformatics: Dr Crooks.

Theme 2: Bioanalytical Science

The Bioanalytical Science Group (incorporating the Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging) carries out applied and multidisciplinary research related to the analysis of chemical and biological species in a variety of matrices. Projects may involve either the development of new analytical techniques or the application of existing techniques to new and complex analytical problems. Projects are available in molecular pathology, drug/xenobiotic distribution analysis, hair analysis, fingermark analysis, chemical speciation and the study of metal uptake in biological systems.

The majority of the research projects offered will involve the use of advanced mass spectrometry techniques. The group has state of the art equipment including recently purchased instrumentation for MALDI-MS imaging, DESI-MS imaging, LESA-MS and LA-ICP-MS. We have also invested heavily in up to date software for 'omics data processing and have workstations set up with Progenesis QI and Progenesis QIP software for metabolomics and proteomics based projects respectively.

The key members of staff associated with this area are: Prof. Clench, Prof. Francese, Dr Duckett, Dr Bassindale, Dr Cole, Dr Wolstenholme and Dr Gardiner.

Theme 3: Molecular Microbiology

The Molecular Microbiology Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Group carries out projects in a number of environmental and clinical microbiological fields including:

• Novel antimicrobial agents and strategies: Dr Miller, Dr Forbes, Dr Lacey, Dr Nichol, Prof. T Smith.
• Role of microorganisms in cardiovascular disease: Dr Stafford.
• Does the use of antineoplastic agents result in the development of extended spectrum β-lactamases?: Dr Miller.
• Molecular environmental microbiology of the hospital ward environment: Prof. T Smith, Dr Stanley.
• Bioremediation and biocatalysis, including the mechanism of biological methane oxidation and biotechnological applications of methane-oxidising bacteria: Prof T Smith, Dr Gardiner, Dr Nichol.
• Microbiological control of corrosion and biofouling in the marine environment: Prof T Smith and Dr Nichol.

Theme 4: Chemistry

The Chemistry Ï㽶ÊÓƵ group carries out research in a number of areas including:

• Organo metallic chemistry and catalysis: Prof Bricklebank, Dr Whiteoak and Dr Hamilton.
• Catalysis design through database mining and computational chemistry: Dr Hamilton.
• Organic synthesis, preparation of novel pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds: Dr Allwood, Dr Turega, Dr Bricklebank and Dr Whiteoak.
• Synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials: Prof Bricklebank.
• Metallomics and studies of metals in biology: Dr Duckett, Prof. Bricklebank and Prof. Clench.

Theme 5: Biomaterials

In addition a number of researchers from the BMRC also research into a number of biomaterials in collaboration with the Materials and Engineering Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Institute (MERI), and materials scientists at other UK institutions, researchers within the BMRC are developing a number of smart biomaterials. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ into biomaterials covers a range of applications including:

• Smart biomaterials for regenerative medicine applications in musculoskeletal tissues (bone, cartilage and intervertebral disc): Prof. Le Maitre, Prof. Sammon (MERI) and Prof. Alderson (MERI).
• Smart biomaterials for developing 3D models and regenerative medicine applications for gastrointestinal tissues, liver, bladder and skin: Prof. Le Maitre, Dr Jordan-Mahy, Dr Stafford, Dr Miller, Prof. Clench, Prof. Sammon (MERI) and Prof. Alderson (MERI).
• Antimicrobial coatings for orthopaedic prostheses and other medical devices: Prof. Smith, Dr Nichol, Prof. Le Maitre, Dr Forbes, Dr Lacey.
• Smart materials for the development of antimicrobial wound dressings: Dr Miller, Prof. Bricklebank, Mrs Freeman-Parry and Dr Clegg (MERI).

How to apply

Applicants are requested to email a postgraduate application form, including a 1500 word proposal in section 9. Please discuss with potential supervisors to ensure feasibility and email your form to HWB-DoctoralAdmin@shu.ac.uk by 12 noon on Friday 31 May.

Along with the proposal, please clearly identify:

• the theme with which your proposal is aligned
• your proposed director of studies (principal supervisor)
• whether you are interested in a full-time or part-time scholarship

You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your proposal, which will help ensure your proposal aligns with our research themes. You are encouraged to contact members of staff listed here to discuss detailed project plans. However, the details of any successful project could potentially change, given input from the supervisory team.

Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with at least 6.5 in each component or an accepted equivalent. Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years. Please view our eligibility criteria before submitting an application.

Selection process

Interviews will take place in June 2019.

Applicants are required to give a short 10–15 minute presentation followed by an interview. Interview panel members will include the Head of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Degrees for the College and local Postgraduate Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Tutors and a prospective Director of Studies. Where travel to Sheffield is not possible, interviews may be conducted by Skype or conference call.

For application enquiries please contact: HWB-DoctoralAdmin@shu.ac.uk