Jonathan Gale

This PhD project at University College London offers an exceptional opportunity to join a cross-disciplinary collaboration between the Department of Biochemical Engineering and the UCL Ear Institute. The research aims to develop a next-generation, microfluidic-enhanced human inner ear organoid (hIEO) system, providing a powerful platform for understanding hearing loss and accelerating the discovery of new therapies. The successful candidate will engineer microfluidic systems to precisely control morphogen gradients, enhancing the reproducibility of organoid cultures. The project also involves optimizing organoid growth in defined hydrogels to improve their structure, maturation, and function. Advanced techniques such as single-cell transcriptomics and live-cell imaging will be used to assess cell diversity and hair-cell functionality. A key goal is to design a scalable 'Inner Ear-on-a-Chip' system, enabling high-throughput drug screening and ototoxicity testing. The project is highly interdisciplinary, merging microfluidic engineering with stem-cell biology and integrating pioneering methods from leading labs. Students will gain hands-on experience in biomaterials, organoid culture, transcriptomics, and functional assays, using advanced human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) reporter lines to study drug and regenerative responses in real time. Supervision is provided by Professor Nicolas Szita, an expert in microfluidics and bioprocess engineering, and Professor Jonathan Gale, a leader in auditory cell biology and regeneration. The project aligns with EPSRC’s Healthcare Technologies mission and priority themes in Engineering Biology, Microsystems, and Sensory Restoration. The studentship is fully funded for 4 years, covering tuition fees (with additional support for international students), a tax-free stipend at an enhanced rate, and a Research Training Support Grant for training and research expenses. Applicants should have a strong background in engineering, biology, or a related field, and a keen interest in interdisciplinary research. The application deadline is 5th January 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the UCL EPSRC Doctoral Training portal.