PhD Studentship: Searching for Buried Treasure: Extraction of High-Value Pharmaceutical Ingredients From Seaweed Fertiliser and Waste

Primary Supervisor - Dr Matthew Wallace           

Introduction: 

The use of seaweed as a raw material is a rapidly growing area with enormous commercial potential. Unlike conventional land-based sources or fossil-fuels, seaweed acts as a carbon sink and does not require land, water or fertiliser to grow. With Central Pharma Biotechnica Limited (Biotechnica), this PhD aims to develop a cost-effective route to bio-produce high-value ingredients including phlorotannins (antivirals), fucoidans (digestive health) and alginates (pharmaceutical materials) from harvested seaweed. Currently, the raw seaweed is treated with water to produce a highly complex mixture of polysaccharides, polyphenols, metal ions and small molecules that is marketed as a liquid fertiliser. The remainder of the seaweed material (> 60% by weight) is discarded as solid waste.   

Methodology: 

You will join a highly multidisciplinary team led by Dr Matthew Wallace in the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. Here, you will be trained in advanced solid, solution and gel-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), analytical chemistry and materials characterisation. You will develop robust protocols to reveal the composition of Biotechnica’s algal materials and sustainable procedures for their rapid quantification and separation. Working with Professor Jon Todd in the School of Biological Sciences, you will investigate the use of microbes that naturally live on the surface of seaweed to control the polymer chain length and other properties of the seaweed-derived ingredients.  

Training: 

You will receive exceptional training at UEA, and on placement with Biotechnica, in molecular biology, fermentation, analytical chemistry, industrial networking and in writing publications and IP protection. You will learn good laboratory practice, present your findings at weekly team meetings, high-profile international scientific conferences, and in peer-reviewed scientific publications and your PhD thesis.  

Person specification:  

We require a committed and self-reliant student keen to succeed at this highly multidisciplinary project. Experience in NMR, microbiology or materials characterisation is desirable but not essential. 

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2025 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP CASE students undertake a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic partner during their study. The placement offers experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply.  

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 28, 29 or 30 January 2025.   

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/  

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.  

Funding Information

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2024/5 stipend rate: £19,237), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship. 

Closing Date 

25 November 2024 (at 11.59 pm) 

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