Doctorat / PhD — Optimisation of Functional Surfaces to Improve Localised Bone Interaction in Novel Polymeric Total Knee Replacement

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 11 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Date de début : 1 Apr 2027 Programme UE : Horizon Europe - MSCA Département : Engineering Domaine : Engineering

The University of Huddersfield is seeking an ambitious and highly motivated doctoral researcher to join a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral programme which is part of the MSCA project MicroMan4Health , focused on advancing the next generation of orthopaedic implant technologies. Polymeric biomaterials such as Polyether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) have become well established in clinical applications including spinal and trauma implants due to their exceptional biocompatibility, favourable mechanical properties, and radiolucency. Despite this success, their application in broader orthopaedic devices, particularly total joint replacements, remains relatively underexplored. Recent advances in additive manufacturing present new opportunities to design and fabricate patient-centred orthopaedic implants with optimised functional surfaces. However, the relationship between surface topography, implant fixation, and infection control remains poorly understood, representing a significant barrier to wider clinical adoption. This PhD project will investigate how engineered surface features on additively manufactured polymeric implants influence biological performance, with particular emphasis on promoting secure bone fixation while simultaneously reducing bacterial colonisation. The outcomes will contribute to the development of next-generation polymeric total knee replacement technologies with enhanced clinical performance and longevity.

The University of Huddersfield is seeking an ambitious and highly motivated doctoral researcher to join a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral programme which is part of the MSCA project MicroMan4Health , focused on advancing the next generation of orthopaedic implant technologies.

Polymeric biomaterials such as Polyether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) have become well established in clinical applications including spinal and trauma implants due to their exceptional biocompatibility, favourable mechanical properties, and radiolucency. Despite this success, their application in broader orthopaedic devices, particularly total joint replacements, remains relatively underexplored.

Recent advances in additive manufacturing present new opportunities to design and fabricate patient-centred orthopaedic implants with optimised functional surfaces. However, the relationship between surface topography, implant fixation, and infection control remains poorly understood, representing a significant barrier to wider clinical adoption.

This PhD project will investigate how engineered surface features on additively manufactured polymeric implants influence biological performance, with particular emphasis on promoting secure bone fixation while simultaneously reducing…