Mark Baker

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.

[Fully and directly funded studentship covering home and international university fees, additional research training, travel funds, and UKRI standard rate (£21,805 for 2026/27 academic year). Funding is for 3.5 years. Funded EPSRC.] This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of Surrey offers an exciting opportunity to advance the field of hard tissue engineering through Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogel (FRESH) additive manufacturing. The project aims to fabricate sustainable porous calcium phosphate scaffolds that mimic trabecular bone tissue, using innovative bioprinting techniques. The FRESH method involves printing bioinks into a sacrificial thermo-reversible bath, ensuring mechanical strength and shape fidelity during the process. Polyphosphate gels produced via sol-gel chemistry and/or coacervation, embedded with therapeutic ions or molecules, will serve as novel bioinks with bone regenerative, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The printed scaffolds are designed to promote bone regeneration by facilitating the formation of hydroxyapatite on their surfaces when exposed to body fluids, thereby enhancing osteoblast attachment and proliferation. The project encompasses a multidisciplinary approach, spanning materials science, chemistry, biology, and medical science. Structural and morphological characterization of the 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 facilities. Cytocompatibility will be evaluated through MTT testing on osteoblasts. PhD candidates will gain hands-on experience in fabrication methods including 3D printing and electrospinning, cell culture, and state-of-the-art characterization techniques. The supervisory team includes Dr Daniela Carta, Dr Alessandra Pinna, Dr Jorge Gutierrez-Merino, Professor Mark Baker, and Dr Tan Sui, offering expertise across multiple disciplines. The studentship is funded by EPSRC and covers home and international university fees, research training, travel funds, and a UKRI standard stipend (£21,805 for the 2026/27 academic year), with funding available for 3.5 years. Applicants must hold a first class or 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline such as Biomaterial Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or Material Science, and demonstrate a strong interest in bio/nanomaterials. The position is open to UK and international candidates, with up to 30% of UKRI funded studentships available to international fee-paying applicants. The start date is October 2026, with flexibility for later start dates upon request. To apply, candidates should submit their application via the Chemistry PhD programme page, uploading a document that states the project title and the name of the relevant supervisor in place of a research proposal. For further information or enquiries, contact Dr Daniela Carta at [email protected].