Ref Number
B02-10942
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
See advert text
Contract Type
Fixed-term
Working Type
On site
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
31-Jul-2026
The UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science is a collaborative and cross-disciplinary environment where clinicians, engineers, allied health professionals and researchers are constantly striving for innovative approaches to treatment. This includes developing highly effective methods which go beyond the boundaries of conventional wisdom and treating each patient as an individual. As a world leader in medical and biomedical research we are able to see at first-hand the directions in which medicine and science are moving and where patient and industry needs are growing. This knowledge ensures that we are producing and teaching some of the most innovative courses for clinicians and scientists across the world. Additionally, our cutting-edge research expertise ensures that the latest techniques are taught using the most advanced equipment. The Division reaches across three London campuses (Bloomsbury, Royal Free and Stanmore) bringing together three major research departments: Surgical Biotechnology, Targeted Intervention, and Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Science. These departments house world class research centres, specialising in many different surgical and interventional specialities.
Two 3-year PhD studentships positions are available at the UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science. The project will be based across sites where the supervisors are based, and multidisciplinary research projects are conducted synergistically with members from different academic background including engineering, biology and medicine Bioengineered tissues have been a hopeful solution to help humans, either as a direct substitute of damaged tissues and regain their function, as a model to understand disease mechanism, or testing bed for pharmacological agents. For example, tissue-engineered skeletal muscle models have been used in various aspects of muscle in health and disease (Khodabukus, Front Physiol 2021). In order to grow such a tissue model, we normally use a bioreactor in which the initial tissue “template” – often a cell seeded collagen hydrogel – is kept incubated for weeks. While the tissue is being grown, appropriate conditioning often in the form of mechanical stretch is known to accelerate its development. Our team has been working with a system called tensioned Culture Force Monitor (tCFM) to achieve this in a preliminary form. This project is aimed to take that forward by (1) redesigning tCFM for a more precise and versatile, and easier operation and (2) to culture tissue-engineered muscular and tendon construct and test its functionality depending on various level of external stimulus applied to stretch it. The project will be hosted at UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering and Centre for 3D models of Health and Disease where the supervisors are based, respectively, and many multidisciplinary research projects are conducted synergistically with members from different academic background including engineering, biology and medicine. We are looking for a student strongly interested in tissue engineering and mechanical device design. Knowledge of biology is desirable though not essential, however, understanding and experience in instrumentation and electric systems control are essential. The post is for 3 years full time study. Stipend: £20k per year for 3 years (+ UK tuition fees)
The successful candidate must hold a strong first degree (BSc./BEng, minimum 2:1) in a suitable subject area. Ideally an MSc. in a related discipline, but not essential. We are looking for a student strongly interested in tissue engineering and mechanical device design. Knowledge of biology is desirable though not essential, however, understanding and experience in instrumentation and electric systems control are essential. The studentship covers only the fees for UK students. Additional fees may be required for students applying who do not fulfil the criteria for UCL home students. Please check the UCL website for full criteria at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/money/fees-support/fee_status_proc. (To Remain) The English language level for this programme is standard, please see the following link for more information: UCL's English Language Requirement Page. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/learning-and-living-ucl/international-students/english-language-requirements
Application process: To apply for the vacancy please send your CV, full transcript and a personal statement letter. Your statement letter should explain your interest in the project, previous research experience (including examples of previous project work) and why you would be a suitable candidate for this post. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted as we receive high to the volume of applications. For queries relation to the post, please contact Prof. Vivek Mudera at [email protected]. Please contact HR at [email protected], for any queries relating to the application process.
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.
