PhD Studentship: Nanoengineered Slippery Coatings for Infection-Free Orthopaedic Implants

[Stipend at UKRI rate; funding covers tuition and living expenses as per UKRI guidelines.] This fully funded PhD studentship at University College London (UCL) offers an exciting opportunity to develop advanced nanoengineered slippery coatings for infection-free orthopaedic implants. Hosted in the Nanoengineered Systems Laboratory at UCL Mechanical Engineering and in collaboration with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), the project addresses the urgent clinical challenge of medical device-associated infections (MDAIs), which are a major burden in orthopaedic surgery. Implant-related infections can result in severe complications, including implant failure and limb amputation, and current antimicrobial coatings often rely on antibiotics or metallic agents that may contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) or cytotoxicity. The research aims to create innovative, porous nanoengineered surfaces with anti-adhesive, slippery properties that prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation without the use of antibiotics or toxic metals. By precisely tuning surface chemistry and nanoscale structure, these coatings are designed to provide long-term, biocompatible protection against infection. The project encompasses materials design, fabrication, characterisation, and biological testing, with clinical input from RNOH to ensure translational relevance and regulatory compliance. As a PhD student, you will gain interdisciplinary training in surface engineering, nano/microfabrication, materials characterisation techniques, microbiology, cell culture, and translational research. You will collaborate closely with clinical partners and benefit from a multidisciplinary team spanning engineering, materials science, and healthcare. The project will involve designing and fabricating nanoengineered surfaces, characterising their morphology, chemistry, and mechanical durability, and conducting biological assays to assess bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and cytocompatibility. Clinical collaboration will provide insight into testing platforms and regulatory guidance, and you will evaluate the long-term performance and clinical translation potential of the developed coatings. This studentship is part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance at UCL. The successful candidate will work across UCL Mechanical Engineering and RNOH, accessing state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative research environment. The project offers the potential to reduce infection rates, improve implant longevity, and lower healthcare costs, with broader applications to other medical devices and healthcare-associated infections. Applicants should have a background in engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a related discipline. Experience with surface fabrication, biomaterials, or microbiology is advantageous, and an interest in translational research and improving patient care is desirable. The funding includes a stipend at the UKRI rate, covering tuition and living expenses. Applications should be submitted by 12th January 2026 via the Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance. For further details and to apply, visit the provided application link.