ELIGIBILITY:

The Reisner Laboratory develops innovative technologies to convert solar energy into sustainable fuels and organic platform chemicals for a circular economy using a unique cross-disciplinary and collaborative approach.

Working with and learning from an experienced team of cross-disciplinary scientists, the PhD student will engineer live cells to convert carbon dioxide and other feedstock chemicals into bespoke complex chemicals. In a collaborative project, these cells will be interfaced with light-harvesting semiconductor systems that will provide the feedstock chemicals consumed by the cells to enable semi-artificial photosynthesis of organic chemicals. This research will thereby develop biohybrid technologies with the outcomes to be published in top-tier academic journals.

More information about the laboratory and project can be found here:

Website Reisner Laboratory: https://www-reisner.ch.cam.ac.uk

Publication on biohybrid system using green H2: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-022-00817-z

Publication on biohybrid system using green formate: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6c03677

They invite applications from candidates who hold, or expect to obtain, the equivalent of a UK first-class Master’s or honours degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry or a closely related discipline. The application deadline is 2 November 2026.

Applicants should submit the following documents by email to pa-reisner@ch.cam.ac.uk:

A cover letter outlining their motivation for applying and describing their specific research interests.

A detailed curriculum vitae (CV).

Full academic transcripts.

In addition, applicants must submit a formal application, including reference letters, via https://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/pgapp/how-apply.

For any queries, please contact Gioia Gregori at pa-reisner@ch.cam.ac.uk.

The university actively supports equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

BENEFIT:

Competition-Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)