PhD: Novel carbon dot varnish for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy in oral care

• Principal investigator(s) Dr Shahnawaz Khijmatgar, Dr Gil Alberto Batista Gonçalves
• Research theme Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Immunity Infection and Inflammation, Population Health and Health Services

Oral diseases affect more than 3.5 billion people worldwide, making them among the most common chronic diseases and a major cause of pain, tooth loss, reduced quality of life and escalating healthcare costs.

Despite decades of advances in restorative dentistry, preventive strategies have remained largely unchanged. Fluoride-based varnishes are the current clinical standard for preventing dental caries; however, they primarily promote enamel remineralisation and have limited ability to eradicate complex multispecies oral biofilms or address the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. There is an urgent need for innovative biomaterials capable of preventing disease before irreversible damage occurs.

Carbon dots are emerging nanomaterials with exceptional physicochemical and biological properties, including excellent biocompatibility, intrinsic fluorescence, tunable surface chemistry, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Their unique characteristics make them promising candidates for developing sustainable, intelligent biomaterials that not only combat harmful oral microorganisms but also enable real-time monitoring and future diagnostic applications. However, their potential in preventive dentistry remains largely unexplored, creating an exciting opportunity for scientific discovery and technological innovation.

The main aim of this research is to develop and characterise multifunctional carbon dot-based biomaterials capable of preventing oral biofilm formation, enhancing enamel remineralisation, and laying the scientific foundation for next-generation preventive oral healthcare technologies.

To achieve this aim, the successful candidate will design and synthesise novel biocompatible carbon dots using sustainable green chemistry approaches, engineer multifunctional dental biomaterials with antimicrobial, antibiofilm and remineralising properties, investigate the interactions between carbon dots and oral microorganisms within complex multispecies biofilms, and characterise nanomaterial structure, function and biological performance using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques.

Rather than simply improving existing dental varnishes, the project seeks to establish a new class of smart oral biomaterials capable of preventing infection, protecting tooth structure, and providing the technological foundation for future image-guided and precision oral healthcare.

The project will also evaluate enamel protection, microbial inhibition, and the fluorescence properties of carbon dots as a stepping stone towards future image-guided oral diagnostics and intelligent therapeutic systems. Ultimately, the research will generate proof-of-concept data supporting the translation of carbon dot technologies into next-generation preventive dental products.

This project extends well beyond the development of a single antimicrobial material. It seeks to establish a versatile nanotechnology platform with applications across dental varnishes, restorative materials, dental adhesives, implant coatings, periodontal therapies, oral biosensors, precision dentistry, regenerative dentistry, and intelligent biomaterials. The knowledge generated has the potential to influence future preventive strategies across multiple areas of oral healthcare.

This PhD offers outstanding opportunities for international collaboration, advanced research training, publication in high-impact journals, and the development of technologies with the potential to transform preventive oral healthcare.

The successful PhD candidate will receive interdisciplinary training in carbon nanomaterial synthesis, biomaterials engineering, oral microbiology, biofilm biology, advanced microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy, confocal imaging, nanomaterial characterisation, scientific publishing, research translation, and international collaborative research.

Tenure: Four years

Start date: 1 November 2026

Specification

Minimum requirements

• Applicants with a master's degree in a relevant field are strongly encouraged to apply. Degrees considered relevant include: Dentistry (BDS, DDS, DMD or equivalent), biomaterials, biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering, nanotechnology, chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, tissue engineering, oral biology.
• A minimum upper second class honours (2.1) degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• A strong academic record with evidence of scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to undertake independent research.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong motivation to pursue interdisciplinary research.
• Creativity and innovation in addressing scientific challenges.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an international multidisciplinary research team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable candidate specifications

• Laboratory-based research.
• Cell culture.
• Microbiology techniques.
• Nanomaterial synthesis.
• Biomaterial fabrication.
• Microscopy (SEM, TEM, AFM, confocal).
• Raman spectroscopy or other analytical techniques.
• Molecular biology.
• Scientific writing and publication.
• Statistical analysis (SPSS, R or equivalent).
• Previous research experience through an undergraduate or master's research project.
• Evidence of scientific publications or conference presentations.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary research environments.
• Interest in translating laboratory discoveries into clinical applications.
• Enthusiasm for developing innovative technologies with potential commercial and societal impact.

Application process

Please apply for the research project through the link below.

Applicants must complete the application form and review our English language requirements.