Stephen Russell

Fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Leeds on stimulus-responsive mesh for targeted anticancer delivery and catheter integration . This interdisciplinary project sits across the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), the Clothworkers’ Centre for Textile Materials Innovation for Healthcare (CCTMIH), the School of Dentistry, and the School of Design. The research focuses on developing a smart textile-based biomaterial mesh that can be integrated with surgical catheters to enable local, on-demand anticancer drug release in response to ultrasound stimulation. The project combines polymer engineering , biomaterials science , cell biology , controlled drug delivery, and textile materials innovation to improve precision cancer treatment while reducing off-target toxicity and harm to healthy tissue. Supervision is led by Professor Giuseppe Tronci, with co-supervision from Dr Xuebin Yang and additional academic input from Professor Stephen Russell. The project offers a strong interdisciplinary environment and access to training and support within the School of Design and wider healthcare innovation network. Funding is fully covered for eligible candidates: full academic fees, a maintenance stipend in line with UKRI rates, and an additional £10,000 LITAC grant for personal development, dissemination, and consumables. The award is for PhD study and is available to applicants eligible for Home (UK) fee status. Eligibility highlights include: applicants must not already hold a PhD or be currently registered for one; they must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds and be based on campus for a significant portion of the week. International relocation costs are not covered. Deadline: 30 June 2026 at 5pm UK time. Applicants must first apply for a research place of study, obtain a student ID number, and then submit the scholarship application form with all required supporting documents.

Two PhD studentships are available at the STORM Lab, University of Leeds, in collaboration with ETH Zurich and the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour. The projects focus on magnetic robots for surgical applications, including Intelligent Multi-scale Magnetic Robots for Endoluminal Surgical Applications and Fibre-Based Next Generation Magnetic Vine Robots . The STORM Lab works on science and technology of robotics in medicine, with research spanning magnetic manipulation, magnetic localisation, soft medical robots, robotic endoscopy, capsule robots, and minimally invasive surgery. The advertised project highlighted in the funding page investigates a fibre-based manufacturing route for magnetic vine robots, combining textile and nonwoven manufacturing with soft robotics and magnetic actuation. The successful candidate will join the University of Leeds and work with Professor Pietro Valdastri, Professor Stephen Russell, and Professor Giuseppe Tronci. The project is interdisciplinary and connects robotics, materials science, mechanical design, and medical device development. It is especially relevant to students interested in biomedical engineering, robotics, materials science, and surgical technologies. Funding is fully provided for the PhD studentship: full academic fees plus a maintenance stipend in line with UKRI rates, with an additional £10,000 LITAC grant for personal development, dissemination, and consumables. The award is for 3 years full-time, and applicants must be eligible for Home (UK) fee status. International relocation costs are not covered. The deadline is 30 June 2026, with a start date of 1 October 2026. Applicants must first apply for a research place of study and obtain a 9-digit student ID number, then submit the scholarship application form and all supporting documents before the deadline.