Controlling degradation and mechanical properties of bioactive glass through modelling and experiment

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF 2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.

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Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Project Detail:

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship funded by the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Regenerative Medicine to start in October 2017. The project will be supervised by Dr Jamieson Christie, and based in the Department of Materials at Loughborough University.

Bioactive glass bonds directly to human bone allowing for potential use in many applications in the field of bone repair. It also dissolves harmlessly after implantation to products already found in the body, activating genes for bone regrowth as it does so. Understanding how to control its dissolution rate could therefore lead to substantially improved outcomes in its use for orthopaedic treatment. This project will use an innovative combination of advanced computer modelling and experimental techniques for characterising glass structure and properties, including dissolution rate and mechanical properties during the resorption of the glass. The overall aim is to understand which features of the glass control the dissolution and how these can be optimised for specific treatments.

The CDT is a collaborative centre between Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham, and Keele University. Across the CDT, we have more than 40 academic staff and their industrial and clinical partners.

The student will be registered for a PhD which lasts for four years and includes taught modules in a range of science and engineering topics, as well as student presentations and mini-projects to allow exposure to a wide range of research and expertise.

Find out more:

General information about the CDT can be found at http://www.dtcregen-med.com/
For any informal enquiries, please contact Dr Jamieson Christie directly ([Email Address Removed]).

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a physical sciences, life sciences or engineering discipline.

Funding information:

The studentship provides a tax free stipend of £14,553 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. Due to funding restrictions, this is only available to those who are eligible to pay UK/EU fees. In order to qualify for a full award, all applicants must meet the EPSRC eligibility criteria including the minimum UK residency requirement https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/
Contact details:
Name: Dr Jamieson Christie
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: 01509 223153

How to apply:

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select Materials

Please quote reference number: MP-JKC-1717

Application details:

Reference number: MP-JKC-1717
Start date: 1st October 2017
Closing date: 21st July 2017
Interview date: TBC July 2017

Supervisors:

Primary supervisor: Dr Jamieson Christie (Materials)
Secondary supervisor: Dr Elisa Mele (Materials)