PhD in “Integrated bioprocess economics and sustainability analysis for intensified processes for cell and gene therapies”

Supervisors  

Primary Supervisor:     Professor Suzanne Farid (Department of Biochemical Engineering, UCL)  

Secondary Supervisor:   Dr Brenda Parker and Dr Jack Jeffries (Department of Biochemical Engineering, UCL) 

Industrial Supervisor:  Xiaobo Dong and Karl Britt (Cytiva) 

About the Project 

Biotherapeutics require intensified manufacturing strategies for new therapies to reach wider global access whilst meeting cost and sustainability targets. To identify the biggest levers for carbon footprint, waste and cost reduction, it is imperative to have advanced modelling tools to evaluate alternative process intensification, plastics degradation and novel sustainable materials (e.g. filters, resins, bags). This project aims to devise a set of integrated economics and sustainability tools that can evaluate alternative manufacturing, supply and end-of-life strategies for novel modalities in terms of their cost, process mass intensity, carbon footprint and broader sustainability indicators. This will be used to weigh up the financial, environmental and operational implications of a range of process intensification approaches and plastics degradation approaches for a selected set of emerging modalities (e.g. CAR-Ts, viral vectors, RNA). This will determine when it makes sense to pursue disruptive strategies and identify the technical innovation or process intensification required to meet cost and sustainability targets.  

This position is part of the UCL-Cytiva Centre of Excellence (CoE), led by UCL Biochemical Engineering with the industrial partner Cytiva. The goal of this strategic partnership is to advance medicine manufacture and enhance patient access to novel therapies. The project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Prosperity Partnership initiative. The project will be hosted at UCL in collaboration with Cytiva sites in Portsmouth (UK) and globally. 

Entry requirements 

A UK Master’s degree, or a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree, in Biochemical Engineering / Chemical Engineering / Bioprocessing or relevant subject area (or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard) with an interest in sustainability, life cycle and techno economic analysis. This project will require the candidate to possess engineering and computing skills and a desire to understand the challenges of dealing with complex biological materials in real environments. 

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. The English language level for this programme is: Standard. 

Deadline and Application Process 

The deadline for submission is the 20th November 2024 

The interviews and timings will be confirmed with candidates via email.

The successful candidate is expected to start in February 2025.

Please prepare a CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter outlining motivations for undertaking this studentship and relevant experience and expertise. Then submit your formal application to the RRDBENSING01 Research Degree: Biochemical Engineering through UCL’s application portal by the above deadline. More information about the course and application process is available here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/biochemical-engineering-mphil-phd#programme-choice