Portable microfluidic cell function diagnostics for measuring health status

About the project

Neutrophils are central to the body's rapid response to infection, yet their functional state is rarely measured outside specialist research laboratories. This interdisciplinary PhD will develop compact microfluidic, imaging and analysis technologies to measure neutrophil responses directly from small blood samples, bringing advanced cell-function measurements closer to patients and healthcare professionals.

The project aims to develop a compact, point-of-care technology for early warning detection of people with infections.

The project is expected to involve:

The precise balance between biological assay development and engineering optimisation will be tailored to the successful candidate's expertise.

• developing microfluidic methods to handle, stimulate and measure cells from small blood samples
• establishing quantitative assays of neutrophil response, informed by existing platelet-function work
• replacing laboratory syringe pumps with simpler, robust and potentially self-propelled fluidics
• replacing conventional microscope and CCD-camera arrangements with compact CMOS-based imaging
• developing feature-extraction methods for quantitative measurement of cellular responses
• assessing the technical and analytical performance of the compact platform against existing laboratory prototypes
• investigating how the resulting system could support near-patient measurement in infection-related and resource-constrained defence setting, such as use in field medicine for deployed personnel.

Dr Jonathan West BSc, PhD, FHEA, MRSC

• Thrombosis prediction at the point of care
• Microfluidic HDX for investigating protein dynamics
• Droplet microfluidics for time-resolved serial crystallography

Dr Al Edwards

• Affordable microfluidic diagnostics and "µMicro" miniaturised microbiology
• Engineering next generation vaccines: formulation and function

Dr Ernesto Elias Vidal Rosas

• Neuroimaging
• Brain-computer interfaces (BCI)
• Medical optics imaging

Entry requirements

You must have at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent , in one of the following:

You should have a strong interest in working across disciplinary boundaries and in developing practical biomedical technologies.

Depending on your background, you may receive training in:

Previous experience in all these areas is not expected.

• biomedical science
• biochemistry
• pharmacy
• chemical or biochemical engineering
• biomedical engineering
• electronic engineering
• computer science
• a related discipline
• cell biology and functional blood-cell assays
• microfluidic prototyping
• 3D printing
• electronic assembly
• optical imaging
• programming and quantitative image analysis.

Fees and funding

For candidates looking to complete a PhD or EngD full-time we offer an enhanced tax-free stipend of up to £30k per year, along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities.

CISDnS is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break or are transitioning into a new role. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance.

How to apply

Apply now

Please apply via the online portal and select:

Applications should include:

• Academic year: 2027/28
• If you will be full time or part time
• Faculty: Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Search for "complex integrated systems"
• Select either PhD or EngD – if you are unsure, select PhD
• Add the name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application
• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts and certificates to date

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

For questions about applying, email our Doctoral College (doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk) .

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Associate Professor Jonathan West (J.J.West@soton.ac.uk) .

Research areas