Stimuli responsive cell scaffolds: to develop tuneable responsive scaffolds and study the effect of their responsive behaviour on the growth of various cell types.

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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 Helen Willcock, and based in the Department of Materials at Loughborough University.
In the biomedical sector there is a strong interest in developing systems that are able to respond efficiently to external stimuli such as changes of pH or temperature. Stimuli-responsive hydrogel systems offer the ability to tune the stiffness, roughness and surface properties of scaffolds for regenerative medicine, whilst retaining the high water content required for nutrient transport and cell viability.
This project will combine the synthesis of stimuli-responsive crosslinked polymer nanoparticles of varying compositions by emulsion and dispersion polymerisation. These particles will then be incorporated into electrospun fibres of a polymer matrix, with the overall aim being to develop tuneable responsive scaffolds and study the effect of their responsive behaviour on the growth of various cell types.
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 with integrated studies, 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 Helen Willcock 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 £14,296 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.

Contact details:
Name: Dr Helen Willcock
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: 01509 223432

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-HW-1716

Application details:
Reference number: MP-HW-1716
Start date: 1st October 2017
Closing date: 21st July 2017
Interview date: July 2017

Supervisors:
Primary supervisor: Dr Helen Willcock (Materials)
Secondary supervisor: Dr Elisa Mele (Materials)