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.