Synthetic Rewiring of Bidirectional Extracellular Electron Transfer for Renewable Energy Storage and Dynamic Biomanufacturing
- Supervisors: Dr Lin Su
- Studentship Funding:
- Name: New Talent Research Enabling Scheme
- Funder: Faculty of Science and Engineering - School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences (SBBS) at QMUL
- Application Deadline: 23:59pm on June 30th 2025
- Expected Start Date: 15th Sept 2025 (Sept 2025 Entry)
Download this document for further details, eligibility criteria and how to apply. [PDF 117KB]
Project Overview
Applications are open for a 3 year funded PhD Studentship in the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences (SBBS) at Queen Mary University of London.
"Life is nothing but an electron looking for a place to rest"
Albert Szent-Györgyi (Nobel Laureate in Physiology 1937)
Are you excited by the idea of programming microbes with electricity? This PhD project explores how living cells can be wired to exchange electrons with external materials—unlocking new ways to control biological function, store renewable energy, and manufacture valuable chemicals.
Working at the interface of synthetic biology and bioelectrochemistry, you will engineer E. coli (and explore electroactive microbes like Shewanella or Geobacter) to build responsive electron uptake systems. By designing genetic circuits and rewiring metabolic pathways, you will create microbes that can use electrons to drive key cellular processes—such as ATP/NAD(P)H generation and product synthesis—with precision.
This project aims to develop “smart” biohybrid systems that adaptively respond to electrical signals, enabling real-time control of microbial metabolism and gene expression. Applications span carbon-neutral energy storage, green biomanufacturing, and future therapeutic technologies.
You will receive interdisciplinary training in microbiology, synthetic biology, and bioelectrochemistry within a collaborative research environment at QMUL. Ideal candidates are curious, motivated, and ready to help shape the future of programmable living systems.
Keywords:
Biohybrids, Bioelectrosynthesis, Electrogenetics, Genetic circuits, Extracellular electron transfer
Research environment
The student will join Dr Lin Su’s research group in the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences. The Department of Biochemistry has an active research community that aims to understand the structural and dynamic properties of living systems on scales from molecules to cells. You will work with a supervisory team that has expertise in bioelectrochemistry, synthetic biology, biochemistry, nanomaterials and artificial photosynthesis.
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
Entry requirements & criteria
We are looking for candidates to have or expect to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as Biology, Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology, etc. Candidates must also have experience conducting research in a laboratory environment.
Knowledge of microbiological practices, electrochemistry, molecular biology and genome editing, bioinformatics would be highly advantageous but is not required.
Find out more about our entry requirements here.
Funding
The studentship is funded by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). It will cover home tuition fees, and provide an annual tax-free maintenance allowance for 3 years at the UKRI rate (£21,237 in 2024/25).
Please find out more about funding and eligibility via: SU_QMUL SE Studentship Details_202425 [PDF 117KB]
Any further queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk
How to apply
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by the stated deadline for consideration. A research proposal is not required.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- Your CV
- A Personal Statement, including:
- Previous experience relevant to the project
- Your motivations for pursuing this position
- Your career aspirations
- Any further information you think is relevant to the application
- References
- Copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Lin Su at lin.su@qmul.ac.uk.
Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk.
Further details can be downloaded here: SU_QMUL SE Studentship Details_202425 [PDF 117KB]