[Stipend at UKRI rate; funding covers tuition and living stipend as per UKRI guidelines.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at University College London (UCL) offers an exciting opportunity to develop novel ultrasound-assisted antimicrobial strategies for the treatment of dental biofilm infections. Oral biofilms are a leading cause of dental and periodontal diseases, including endodontic infections and dental caries, which are among the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases worldwide. The project addresses the challenge of delivering effective antimicrobial treatments to complex and confined regions of the oral cavity, such as dentinal tubules and root canals, where conventional therapies often fail.

The research aims to engineer an ultrasound-assisted nanoparticle-based drug delivery system capable of targeted and controlled release of antimicrobials within these hard-to-reach oral microenvironments. By leveraging acoustic streaming and cavitation effects induced by ultrasound, the system will enhance drug transport and disrupt biofilms, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for systemic antibiotics. This approach also contributes to mitigating the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in oral pathogens.

This interdisciplinary project builds on prior EPSRC-funded research and brings together expertise in microfluidics, fluid dynamics, nanoparticle engineering, and dental microbiology. The student will develop in vitro models of bacterial biofilm microenvironments, characterize ultrasound-induced flow fields and drug particle transport using advanced flow diagnostics, and study ultrasound-triggered drug-release mechanisms to guide nanoparticle design. Collaboration with dental and materials science experts will optimize drug formulations and validate the system in clinically relevant models.

Training will be provided in microfluidics and microfabrication, laser-based flow diagnostics, ultrasound-induced flow characterization, nanoparticle synthesis, drug delivery systems, cell culturing, and in vitro biofilm modeling. The student will engage in collaborative research across engineering, chemistry, dentistry, and microbiology, with opportunities for secondments to partner institutions such as the University of Birmingham and industry collaborators like Halyon Oral Health and BAM Materials. Engagement with the UCL Eastman Dental Institute is also included.

The research environment at UCL is vibrant and multidisciplinary, supported by the FluME and ThAMeS groups, and offers access to state-of-the-art facilities for flow diagnostics, nanoparticle characterization, and biofilm studies. The project also benefits from the resources of the Manufacturing Futures Lab and the UCL Hawkes Institute.

Applicants should have a background in biomedical engineering, chemical or mechanical engineering, or materials science. Experience with microfluidics, ultrasound, or nanoparticle synthesis is advantageous, and an interest in antimicrobial delivery, dental health, and interdisciplinary research is desirable. The studentship provides a stipend at the UKRI rate, covering tuition and living expenses. Applications should be submitted via the Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance by 12th January 2026. For further details and to apply, visit the provided application link.