Two PhD opportunities in Textiles outlined below. Please circulate to your students and contacts as appropriate. 
Many thanks. 
Faith Kane

PhD Studentships in textile biotechnology and textile design

Two PhD studentships are available as part of an AHRC research grant for the project: Laser Enhanced Biotechnology for Textile Design (LEBIOTEX). The project contributes to the development of sustainable textile design processes by investigations into laser and enzymatic processing technologies and their combination to achieve surface patterning on textiles. The project is a collaborative venture between De Montfort University and Loughborough University.

Post 1: PHD Studentship
Textile Engineering and Materials Research Group, De Montfort University
Details: The studentship will focus on the biotechnology aspects of the project. The work will involve the development and application of enzyme processing techniques for textiles in conjunction with laser processing. The successful applicant will be based at De Montfort University but will work within the inter-university project team. Applicants should have a background in enzyme biotechnology, textile materials and/or chemistry. The successful applicant will have an understanding of basic statistical methods of data analysis and hold good communication and team skills in addition to the ability to work in an independent manner.

Post 2: PhD Studentship
School of Art and Design, Loughborough University
Details: The studentship will focus on the laser processing aspects of the project. The work will involve the development and application of laser marking techniques in conjunction with enzyme processing. The successful applicant will be based at Loughborough University but will work within the inter-university project team. Applicants should have a background in textile design, strong CAD skills (Photoshop and Illustrator), some experience of laser processing, and be willing to embrace scientific working methodologies to complement creative experimentation with the materials and processes in question. The successful applicant will hold good communication and team skills in addition to the ability to work in an independent manner.

Applications are invited from candidates who have an Honours degree in a relevant subject. In addition applicants must have met all the requirements for a Masters qualification (or equivalent) prior to the start date of their studentship.
 prior to the start date of their studentship. Doctoral scholarships are available for up to three years full-time study starting no later than July 2012 and provide a bursary of £13,590 per annum in addition to University tuition fees at UK/EU rates. In accordance with AHRC eligibility criteria, applicants must be eligible to pay fees at UK/EU rates. Applications should include a CV, application form and a two-page statement explaining how your research experience and academic knowledge relate to the project in general and to the particular studentship for which you are applying. Applications should be sent to: Prof. Jinsong Shen at [log in to unmask], copying to Dr Faith Kane at [log in to unmask] Academic references will be taken up for all short-listed candidates.

Please note that there is additional eligibility criteria for EU students applying for Research Council funded studentships. Candidates must have been ordinarily resident within the UK for a period of three years or more before the start of their programme of study in order to be eligible for maintenance payment.    
For   an   application   form   please   email:   [log in to unmask]   for   Post   1   and  [log in to unmask]  for  Post  2.    

Deadline for applications: 26th February 2012 Please quote reference: LEBIOTEX