PhD Studentship - Mechanosensitive Nanochannels

Overview

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester offers a fully funded 3.5-year PhD project on mechanosensitive nanochannels. The research aims to develop artificial nanochannels inspired by biological mechanosensitive receptors, mimicking the way human skin senses touch, force, pressure and other physical stresses. The channels will be built from advanced two-dimensional materials such as graphene and are designed to respond to mechanical deformation while enabling controlled ion flows.

What you will do

The main goal is to design artificial nanochannels that reproduce the sensory range of biological receptors, with ion flows that can tell touch, force, pressure and other stresses apart. This involves three strands. First, designing channels that adjust ion flow according to the size of the mechanical stress, mimicking the varied sensitivity of natural receptors. Second, engineering selective ion permeability by controlling the size, shape and chemistry of the channels so that different types of stimulus can be distinguished. Third, building in signal processing that interprets ion flow patterns and produces distinct electrical signals for each kind of stimulus.

Who can apply

Students eligible to pay tuition fees at the Home rate are eligible for the funded place. Self-funded home and overseas students are also welcome. The standard entry requirement is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD, or the international equivalent, or any 2:1 honours degree plus a Master's degree at merit in a directly relevant discipline. Applicants are strongly advised to contact the main supervisor before applying, giving their current level of study, academic background, relevant experience and a paragraph on motivation.

What you get

The successful candidate receives an annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate, 21,805 GBP for 2026/27, with tuition fees paid, and the stipend is expected to increase each year. The listed start date is October 2026.

Key dates

Applications are accepted all year round, with a listed deadline of 1 July 2027, though early applications are recommended because the advert may be removed before the deadline.