Advancing Paper-Arrow Mass Spectrometry for Rapid, Non-Invasive Diagnostics

Description

Applications are invited for a self-funded PhD.

The successful applicant is expected to start in 2025, although this date is negotiable.

Are you passionate about cutting-edge analytical science, biofluid sampling, real-world medical applications, point-of-care testing (POCT), novel biomedical sensors or clinical diagnostics? This self-funded PhD offers an exciting opportunity to develop Paper-Arrow Mass Spectrometry (PA-MS)—a groundbreaking technique for rapid, non-invasive and portable clinical analysis.

PA-MS has already demonstrated its potential for emergency medicine and point-of-care diagnostics, including paracetamol overdose detection and saliva-based drug screening in collaborations with clinical colleagues at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

E.g., check out: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/an/d3an00850a

https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03776-3

We are looking for PhD candidates to advance this technology further in one of the following directions:

Novel Microfluidic Sampling Methods – Developing seamless, accurate techniques for collecting non-invasive biofluids like saliva or minimally invasive finger-prick blood.

Analytical Method Development – Enhancing PA-MS for On-site Clinical Use.

Portable PA-MS as a POCT – Working with industrial collaborators to develop a functional prototype integrating Paper Arrow with a Portable Mass Spectrometer.

New Applications – Exploring PA-MS in various clinical diagnostic scenarios.

This interdisciplinary project can be tailored for candidates with backgrounds in analytical chemistry, biomedical engineering, electronic engineering, physics, clinical sciences, or related fields. If you're excited about pioneering rapid diagnostic technologies with real-world impact, we encourage you to apply. If you have a strong Bachelor’s degree, Masters degree or relevant experience (e.g., prior project experience, industry experience, or a demonstrable interest in the topic), you are encouraged to enquire. Those with a non-traditional educational background will be considered dependent upon relevant experience in exceptional circumstances.

Applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply

If you have your own funding (e.g., scholarship, sponsorship, etc) and are interested, please email Prof Simon Maher (s.maher@liverpool.ac.uk); include a copy of your CV and cover letter.

Please note: This is a self-funded PhD. Applicants must have their own funding source (e.g., government scholarship).