About the Project
Project overview
What if we could detect disease using a sensor so small that it can probe biological processes at the molecular scale?
This PhD project will develop quantum sensors based on a single electron spin, among the most sensitive measurement devices ever created. These quantum sensors can detect tiny magnetic and electrical signals with nanometre-scale spatial resolution, opening exciting new possibilities for healthcare, diagnostics, and biomedical research.
You will contribute to the development of next-generation quantum technologies aimed at addressing some of the most important challenges in medicine and life sciences. Depending on your interests, the project may involve:
- Extending magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from millimetre scales down to individual molecules and cells.
- Developing quantum sensors to monitor the activation of immune cells, supporting new immunotherapy approaches.
- Creating novel quantum sensors in silicon carbide (SiC), an industrially scalable semiconductor platform suitable for future biomedical devices.
- Investigating how quantum technologies can improve the detection and understanding of disease-related biological processes.
The project combines cutting-edge quantum physics, nanotechnology, biology, and biomedical engineering, offering a unique opportunity to work at the interface of multiple disciplines.
Why join this project?
You will be part of a rapidly growing international effort to bring quantum technologies into healthcare applications.
During your PhD you will gain expertise in:
- Quantum sensing and quantum technologies
- Magnetic resonance and biomedical imaging
- Semiconductor and nanomaterials physics
- Optical and microwave instrumentation
- Data analysis and scientific computing
- Translational healthcare research
The skills developed during the project are highly valued both in academia and across emerging sectors including quantum technologies, medical technologies, biotechnology, healthcare innovation, and advanced instrumentation.
A nationally important research programme
The project is closely aligned with the Q-BIOMED Quantum Technology Hub, one of the UK's flagship programmes exploring how quantum technologies can transform healthcare and biomedical research.
Through Q-BIOMED, the student will have opportunities to interact with leading researchers, clinicians, industrial partners, and technology developers across the UK, helping to ensure that the research has a clear pathway towards real-world impact.
Research environment
You will join the Quantum Photonics Lab at Heriot-Watt University, an internationally recognised group working across quantum sensing and quantum communication, with leading publications in high-profile journals. In particular, you will be embedded in a strongly multi-disciplinary team including experimental physicists (Cristian Bonato), biologists (Aldona Mzyk, Nick Leslie) and chemists (Filipe Vilela) with excellent links to national and EU collaborations (e.g. Q-BIOMED and the EU project Quanti-PEP)
Located in Edinburgh, one of Europe's most attractive and vibrant cities, Heriot-Watt offers an exceptional environment for PhD research and student life.
Candidate profile
We welcome applications from students with, or expecting to obtain, a First-Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry or a related discipline.
Previous laboratory, programming, or data-analysis experience is essential. We are primarily looking for enthusiastic and motivated students interested in working across disciplinary boundaries to develop transformative technologies for healthcare.
This fully funded position is available to UK students only.
Informal enquiries
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Professor Cristian Bonato (c.bonato@hw.ac.uk) for an informal discussion about the project before applying.
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