3D Bioprinting full thickness skin for chronic non-healing wounds

Six new fully funded PhD research studentships are offered in the School of Applied Sciences for a 23 September 2019 start. The School is made up of the Departments of Biological and Geographical Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

There is competition funding for 6 of the 12 research projects advertised. Usually the projects which receive the best applicants are funded.

Successful applicants will receive a fully funded PhD opportunity to work with leading experts in the area of wound healing materials and 3D Bioprinting. Chronic wounds negatively impact upon the quality of life of 2.2 million people in the UK and accounts for £5.3 billon of the annual NHS budget. Despite the high number of available wound dressing materials available, the problem of an ideal wound dressing has yet to be solved due to the personalised nature of wounds and the anisotropic structure of skin. Developments in 3D bioprinting however, may hold the key to rapidly producing personalised wound healing dressings at the bedside, as the technology has the potential produce patient specific dressings that are similar mechanically and biologically to the anatomical structure of the skin. The research will investigate the potential of using various biopolymer hydrogels in state of the art 3D bioprinting techniques to produce personalised dressings for full and partial thickness wounds. The project will encompass the material design, formulation, cell culture, 3D printing and testing of printed structures in wound models. We are looking for a candidate interested in biomaterials and bioprinting as well as in translational medicine as this is a highly interdisciplinary project. The work will be performed in the Department of Pharmacy in collaboration with the Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention.

The studentships are open to citizens of the UK or EU only, and cover the full cost of tuition fees and an annual tax-free bursary of £15,009 for three years (RCUK rates). Successful applicants will have a very good first or upper second degree or Masters degree in a relevant subject (chemistry/physical science, biological science, biochemistry, pharmacy, biomaterials science, bio/chemical engineering, or related discipline) The course will begin in September 2019.

To apply, please send your CV and a personal statement to [Email Address Removed]. Please indicate that you wish to apply for the project above and highlight Professor Alan Smith, as the supervisor. Please note that the deadline for applications is 25 April 2019.

Please contact Professor Alan Smith ([Email Address Removed]), for enquiries on the project.