Biosciences, Physics, Engineering: Detection limits of Lateral Flow Tests for Allergies, Infections and Cancer using novel structured nanoparticle labels (RS955)

Funding Providers: Swansea University

Subject Area: Biosciences, Physics, Engineering

Project Start Dates: July 2026

** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.)

**In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.

Supervisors:

• Prof RE Palmer
• Dr TGG Maffeis

Aligned programme of study: MSc by Research in Nanotechnology

Mode of study: Full time

Place of study: Swansea University (Bay Campus)

Project description:

Detection limits of Lateral Flow Tests for Allergies, Infections and Cancer by the use of novel structured nanoparticle labels

The research group has developed a new generation of structure colloidal gold nanoparticles of tunable colour. These have been licensed by the Uni to Grove for application as labels in multiplex, multicolour Lateral Flow Tests (the usual red lines in a home Covid test are made of colloidal nanogold which is red). Targets are allergies (IgE’s) and biomarkers for critical illnesses and cancer. Prof Pandey from Calgary has suggested to REP that structured gold particles could also enhance the sensitivity (reduce the lower limit of detection) of the tests, which would be important and exciting. To detect a biomarker, the gold nanoparticles must be functionalised with (= conjugated to) specific complementary proteins. So the project would suit one of two quite different kinds of candidate, coming either from the physics-engineering side to fabricate and control the architecture of the nanoparticles by physical (not chemical) methods or from the biosciences/biomedical side to develop and assess prototype lateral flow tests.

MSc by Research

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree at 2:1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline.

English Language
IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

Note for international and European applicants:  

Details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales)

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).

Additional research expenses of up to £500 will also be available.

To apply, please complete the entire application form here.

To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS955

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:

• the RS Code, RS955
• the scholarship title

• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload? *’(Mandatory) Please select Yes
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf)

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:  

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).  
2. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.  
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly. 

Important: If you have previously applied for the same programme & intake, do not re‑apply using a different email address. Applications submitted with an email address that differs from the one used in your original application will not be accepted or considered. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

 NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

•           CV

•           Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)

•           A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.

•           One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.

•           Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).

•           Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)

•           Confirmation of EDI form submission

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact:

NAME: Prof Richard E Palmer

EMAIL: r.e.palmer@swansea.ac.uk

 www.swanseanano.com

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.