This fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Surrey focuses on the Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogel (FRESH) additive manufacturing technique to create sustainable porous calcium phosphate scaffolds for hard tissue engineering. The project aims to advance bone construct bioprinting, which significantly improves patient quality of life by enabling the fabrication of biomimetic structures for bone regeneration.

Central to the research is the development and use of novel bioinks, specifically polyphosphate gels produced via sol-gel chemistry and/or coacervation, embedded with therapeutic ions and molecules. These bioinks are designed to possess bone regenerative properties as well as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The FRESH printing method involves depositing bioink into a sacrificial thermo-reversible bath, which provides mechanical strength and shape fidelity, preventing collapse during printing. The resulting scaffolds are expected to promote bone regeneration by facilitating the formation of hydroxyapatite, a bone-inducing phase, on their surfaces when exposed to body fluids, thereby supporting osteoblast attachment and proliferation.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, spanning materials science, chemistry, biology, and medical science. Structural and morphological characterization of the glasses and scaffolds will be performed using advanced techniques such as electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), thermal analysis, gas physisorption, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy at synchrotron radiation facilities. Cytocompatibility will be assessed through MTT testing on osteoblasts. The candidate will gain hands-on experience in fabrication methods including 3D printing and electrospinning, cell culture, and a range of cutting-edge characterization techniques.

Supervision is provided by a multidisciplinary team: Dr Daniela Carta, Dr Alessandra Pinna, Dr Jorge Gutierrez-Merino, Professor Mark Baker, and Dr Tan Sui. The PhD studentship is fully funded by EPSRC, covering both home and international university fees, research training, travel funds, and a UKRI standard stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26 academic year). The position is open to UK and international candidates, with up to 30% of UKRI funded studentships available for international fee payers. Applicants must have a first class or 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline and a strong interest in bio/nanomaterials. The start date is October 2026, with flexibility for later start dates upon discussion.

Applications should be submitted via the Chemistry PhD programme page. In place of a research proposal, applicants should upload a document stating the project title and the name of the relevant supervisor. For further information or to discuss alternative start dates, candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Daniela Carta.