Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in February 2024.
The PhD will be based in the School of Mechanical and Design Engineering and will be supervised by Dr Roxane Bonithon and Dr Katerina Karali.
Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£18,622 for 2023/24). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables.
The work on this project could involve:
- Collaboration with Haleon on dental care, with a possibility of an industrial R&D placement.
- Biomechanical investigation of dental solutions using a multidisciplinary approach combining in situ X-ray computed tomography, mechanical testing and digital volume correlation.
- Correlative microscopy and biological analysis for exploration of their impact on dental health.
Project description
With the aging of the world’s population and the large-scale increase in processed sugars in our diet, the need for good dental hygiene to keep teeth and gum healthy and functional from childhood to old age remains a major concern. Latest 2023 surveys reveal that 6% of adults in the UK no longer have natural teeth and most of them wear dentures, with an addition 13% wearing partial dentures. Providing the optimal dentures and their fixatives combining chewing efficiency, minimal bacteria proliferation and comfort is currently an outstanding industrial challenge.
The project aims at employing high-resolution X-ray computed tomography correlated with in situ mechanics and digital volume correlation to assess the mechanical effects of cushioning and holding of different fixatives. In addition, correlative microscopy and biological experimentation will be used to perform a comprehensive multiscale material analysis and to assess the biomechanical performance of dental products in maintaining a healthy dental environment.
This project is the result of a strong collaboration of several years between the University of Portsmouth and Haleon PCL. Future PGR student will benefit from high-standard facilities in the Future Technology Lab of the Faculty of Technology, owning two state-of-art X-ray laboratory-based microscopes (Versa 520 and 610), and the expertise of a leading and globally recognised company in the field of medical devices.
General admissions criteria
You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
Specific candidate requirements
Applicants will need an engineering, material or biomedical science background with experience in mechanical testing of materials and possibly microscopy (micro-CT and SEM) coupled with a strong interest in biological technology.
How to Apply
We’d encourage you to contact Dr Roxane Bonithon ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.
When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SMDE8580124 when applying.
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