Funding

Self-funded

Project code

SMDE7590423

Department

School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Start dates

October, February and April

Application deadline

Applications accepted all year round

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3-year full-time or 6-year part time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and will be supervised by Dr Katerina Karali and Dr Roxane Bonithon.

The work on this project could involve:

  • Collaboration with clinicians for a multidisciplinary approach on bone healing
  • In situ X-ray computed tomography mechanical testing on biological tissues
  • Investigation of the mechanical properties of newly formed bone
  • Correlative microscopy analysis for exploration of the mechanical behaviour of hard and soft tissues interfaces

Bone fractures are a global health issue that present a serious economic burden, with more than 6 million new cases annually. Fractures that are severe and/or do not heal appropriately can be highly debilitating and have a remarkably negative impact on an individuals’ quality of life and functional status. Bone healing is a complex process, where intramembranous and endochondral ossification can occur simultaneously, depositing both soft and hard callus in the fracture region respectively. The mechanical behaviour of regenerated bone tissue during fracture healing is key in determining its ability to withstand physiological loads. However, the strain distribution in the newly formed tissue and how this influences the way a fracture heals it is still unclear. 

Therefore, the aim of this project is to evaluate how the strain distribution in the fracture gap during healing affect tissue differentiation and the mechanical behaviour of newly formed bone. Correlative microscopy, including X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT), will be utilised to assess the progress of mineralised tissues in regeneration. In situ mechanics and digital volume correlation (DVC) will be used to understand the mechanical behaviour and full-field three-dimensional (3D) strain distribution in bone and soft tissues as healing progresses.

This is a multidisciplinary project that has both biomedical and mechanical engineering aspects. The Zeiss Global Lab at the University of Portsmouth has two state-of-the-art high resolution X-ray laboratory-based microscopes (Versa 520 and 610) capable of sub-micron resolution (≈ 100 nm), phase-contrast and dual-energy acquisition, which will be used in this project. You will have the opportunity to work in a research environment alongside a team of experts passionate about tissue mechanics.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Applicants will need an engineering, material or biomedical science background with experience in mechanical testing of materials coupled with a strong interest in biomaterials and tissue mechanics.

How to apply

We encourage you to contact Dr Katerina Karali (Katerina.karali@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the Mechanical and Design Engineering PhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. 

When applying please quote project code: SMDE7590423