Website The University of Bradford
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Are you passionate about cutting-edge biomedical research that can change lives? This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to develop a next-generation self-powered wound dressing that uses electrical stimulation to heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs),one of the most challenging complications of diabetes.
DFUs are slow-healing wounds that can lead to serious infections and amputations. Current treatments often fail to speed up healing, leaving patients at risk. This project aims to revolutionise wound care by developing a smart, piezoelectric nanofibre dressing that generates electrical signals simply from body movement. These tiny electrical pulses mimic the body’s natural healing signals, stimulating immune cells to switch from an inflammatory state to a regenerative one and encouraging fibroblasts to rebuild damaged tissue.
As a PhD researcher, you will:
- Develop and optimise advanced piezoelectric nanoparticles and nanofibres using cutting-edge electrospinning techniques.
- Investigate how piezoelectrical stimulation reprogrammes immune cells and enhances skin regeneration in lab-based studies.
- Test the dressing’s effectiveness in preclinical models, bringing it closer to real-world application.
This interdisciplinary project sits at the intersection of biomaterials, mechanobiology, and regenerative medicine, offering hands-on experience in innovative healthcare technologies. Supported by expert supervisors and state-of-the-art research facilities at the University of Bradford, you will be at the forefront of developing game-changing therapies that could significantly improve DFU treatment and patient quality of life.
If you’re driven by innovation and eager to make an impact in biomedical science, apply now to join this pioneering research and help shape the future of wound healing!
How to apply
Formal applications can be made through the University of Bradford web site; applicants will need to register an account, select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the type of course and then use the keyword ‘pharmacy’. Applicants should then specify the project title in the ‘Research Proposal’ section.
About the University of Bradford
Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities.
Positive Action Statement
At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students.
Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level.
These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies.
Funding Notes
This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee of £10,000 per year, over three years also applies to this project, in addition to the tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support.
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