Three fully funded PhD positions are available as part of the prestigious Print4Life EU MSCA Doctoral Network Project, focusing on additively manufactured metallic biomaterials. The Print4Life network provides advanced research training for additive manufacturing of biomaterials and tissues of the future, with host institutions including Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Germany), Kiel University (Germany), and partners across Europe. The PhD degree will be awarded by Kiel University, with research stays at Uppsala University (Sweden) and Quintus Technologies AB (Sweden) or Hydrumedical (Portugal), depending on the project.

Research topics include the mechanistic study of biodegradation and high corrosion susceptibility of additively manufactured biodegradable magnesium and zinc alloys under mechanical load. Projects involve advanced experimental setups for simultaneous mechanical and corrosion testing, micro- and nanoscopic visualization, and in situ and ex situ characterization techniques. The work aims to optimize alloy performance for biomedical applications, unravel the origins of elevated corrosion rates, and propose strategies for improvement.

Supervision is provided by Dr. Sviatlana Lamaka (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon), Prof. Cecilia Persson (Uppsala University), and Prof. Mikhail Zheludkevich (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon). The network includes 8 host institutions and 6 partners, offering a collaborative and international research environment. The positions are fully funded for 36 months under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, with a gross salary of 3719.13 EUR/month (or 4233.93 EUR/month with family allowance if eligible), including living, mobility, and family allowances. Social security and income tax are deducted from the gross salary.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in materials science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering, engineering physics, or a related field, and demonstrate good oral and written English skills. Additional experience in corrosion characterization, mechanical testing, local electrochemistry, surface characterization, additive manufacturing of metals, or electron microscopy is advantageous. Applicants must not have a doctoral degree or be enrolled in a doctoral program and must comply with the MSCA mobility rule (not have resided or carried out main activity in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment).

Applications should include a cover letter, CV, certified copy of master’s degree and grades, thesis, publications, and contact details for at least two references. The application must be written in English and submitted via the provided online portals by December 31, 2025. The positions start between March and June 2026. For further information, contact Dr. Sviatlana Lamaka at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon.