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Project Description

In this project, the PhD candidate will develop an organ-on-chip device to support the growth and stability of 3D human microvasculature to study pathogens responsible for blood infections, in particular ESKAPE pathogen Staphylococcus Aureus in collaboration with researchers at Lund University, Sweden. The humanised endothelial-on-chip model will be used to study bacterial adhesion, and host colonisation in blood vessels that mimic in vivo conditions, both in the biology and the biophysical flow characteristics. 

The candidate will study conditions in which pathogens adhere to host cells, and how colonisation progresses in real-time. The response of the host cells to infection will also be studied, and may shed light on new targets for therapeutic intervention. This project will align strongly with the 3Rs by developing advanced in vitro platforms towards the replacement of animal models in research.

Methods will include microfluidic design, fabrication and characterisation using a combination of microscopy, image analysis and flow analysis. Cell culture and advanced fluorescence microscopy to study 3D vasculature network formation and biological assays for assessing host cell interactions with pathogens.

Mandatory requirements

The candidate must have:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in bioengineering, biotechnology or related subject at the time of admittance to the programme

• Documented experience in at least one of the following areas: Cell culture techniques, microscopy, microfluidics (ideally in combination with cell culture or cell manipulation), or biochemical / biophysical techniques such as live and fixed immunostaining.

Desirable qualifications

In addition, it is an advantage if the candidate has:

• An understanding of infection biology

• An understanding of endothelial biology

• An understanding of advanced in vitro models, such as organ-on-chip, organoids

• Documented experience in quantitative image analysis

Personal skills:

We are an international team of researchers from very different scientific and cultural backgrounds. Our colleagues should have

• Good language and communication skills

• The ability to work in interdisciplinary teams

• The ability to work independently on complex projects (from planning and execution to results presentation)

• The ability to work with non-standard scientific equipment (including setup, testing, and potentially smaller modifications or repairs)

Qualification requirements. In addition to the eligibility criteria (link to heading below), candidates admitted to the PhD programme at Heriot-Watt University will sit within the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences and must fulfil these requirements: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/our-schools/engineering-and-physical-sciences/research/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply

Supervisors Sally Peyman https://researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/persons/sally-peyman

Hosting institution Heriot-Watt University (UK) https://www.hw.ac.uk/

Technical information:

• Position location: Edinburgh, UK.

• Application deadline: January 6th, 2026

• Interviews: February 9th and 13th, 2026 (be available both days)

• Project start date: September 1st, 2026

• Duration: 3 years

How to Apply

Find the eligibility and application requirements below.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must not have been awarded a doctorate previously.
• Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of recruitment. See: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks ‘What does the funding cover’
• Candidates must have a high level of English proficiency (demonstrated eg by TOEFL, IELTS certification) or by having been educated in an English-speaking country to age 18.
• Candidates must meet all eligibility criteria as outlined in the individual research project descriptions.
• Candidates must meet the entry requirements of the institution to which they apply.

Application Requirements
The candidates will be selected based on the quality of the application, expertise, work experience, and qualifications. In the first instance, an expression of interest should be lodged containing the following documents (in English) consolidated into one single PDF file. As mentioned above, it will increase your chances if you apply to more than one project.

• A current cv (resumé) (max 2 pages).
• A short cover letter, no more than 600 words, that covers the following:
  1: your motivation and key research experience/achievements that demonstrate independent thinking and your ability to complete a PhD. Evidence the skills you claim with the documents you give us.
  2: the original working title of your MSc or BSc thesis.
  3: The first scientific memory that you have (max 250 words)
• A clear statement if and how and what AI tools you used. We recommend you do not use them.
• The table of contents of your thesis
• A research outline (max 500 words) related to the DC topic in which you suggest how you can meet and develop further the research project described in the project advertisement. Be specific: where in your attached certificates can we find proof of the necessary qualifications for the given position?

The following items will be submitted in separately in the application form.

• We suggest you apply for up to 3 PhD positions in StraDiVarious. If you do, list two other choices in order of preference. (You do not need to provide further information.)
• Details of 2 referees (names, contact details) who can provide additional information about your qualifications.
• Official Academic Record - Bachelor's and Master’s Certificates and Transcripts.
• We expect that, since a Master’s Degree is required, you will either have completed it at the time of application, or will do so with the requisite grades and be able to provide a degree certificate by July 1st, 2026. In such a case, acceptance is conditional.
• Demonstration of English-language proficiency (official certificates from language tests, or based on your schooling and where you grew up).
• If we suspect unreported use of AI-generated text, we reserve the right to check using AI-text detection tools and summarily reject the application. This is consistent with our no-tolerance policy towards plagiarism.