EU MSCA Doctoral Candidate

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Birmingham seeks a MSCA Doctoral Candidate to focus on pioneering research in emerging medical-device technologies. The role involves collaboration with prominent institutions, delivering innovative research outcomes, and contributing to grant writing. Candidates should hold an MSc in mechanical engineering, possess excellent communication skills, and have the ability to work effectively in a team. A competitive salary and diverse research opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Research funding opportunities

Diverse research environment

Commitment to inclusion and equality

Qualifications

• Must have a MSc degree and must not have a PhD.
• Not resided in the UK for more than 12 months in the last 36 months.
• Ability to build rapport with patients and healthcare professionals.

Responsibilities

• Deliver cutting-edge research in the specified area.
• Collaborate with researchers and partners across the CUSTOM network.
• Ensure good reporting and management practices.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to work independently

Ability to work collaboratively

Ability to write and present effectively

Education

MSc degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline

Tools

Movement analysis software (OpenSim, AnyBody)

Mechanical testing equipment

Job description

Position Details

School of Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Fixed salary of £53,555

Grade: 7 (Spot)

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2029

Closing date: 9th February 2026

Background

CUSTOM is an EU MSCA Doctoral Training Network connecting relevant academic and industrial expertise in emerging medical-device technologies across Europe and apply them to the problems of shoulder implants. Total shoulder replacements (TSRs) are now outpacing those of knees and hips, mainly due to the increasing use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSR), however roughly 10% of shoulder implants will fail within the first 10 years of service necessitating a complex revision procedure. Many of the current problems (e.g. soft-tissue failures, implant loosening, infection) derive from a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to implants; CUSTOM plans to invert this approach, based on combining computational, patient-specific design and additive manufacturing to offer complex, custom designs and structures. The project also incorporates multi-functionality as well as blended experimental and in-silico testing to accelerate the path to certification.

More details on the project can be found here: https://hecustom.eu/

Total shoulder replacement (TSR) is increasingly offered to younger, more active patients, yet implant loosening and migration remain leading causes of early revision. This project tackles this challenge head-on by creating the next generation of six-axis pre-clinical simulators that combine patient-specific bony anatomy with real-time micromotion and fracture sensing. The work will generate the mechanistic evidence needed to refine implant design, surgical technique and international test standards, ultimately reducing the reliance on lengthy, expensive clinical trials.

Key research questions

• Can we recreate the complex glenohumeral loading and motion patterns of reverse (rTSR) and anatomic (aTSR) shoulder arthroplasty in the laboratory?
• How do surgeon technique, implant design and individual patient bone quality interact to trigger early loosening or fracture?
• Which sensing technologies (eddy-current micromotion probes, acoustic emission arrays, embedded MEMS) provide the most sensitive, real-time indication of failure and can they be integrated into routine test standards?

As part of this project you will undertake secondments at KU Leuven, Rush University Medical Center and SME Simulator Solutions.

The Advanced Medical Simulation and Testing Laboratories at the University of Birmingham provide an ideal setting to address this gap. By integrating patient-derived kinematics, joint mechanics with advanced biomechanical/tribological methods and in-situ sensing, the project will generate the new methodologies that support the development of novel implant design. This work will establish a robust pipeline linking real in-vivo biomechanics to laboratory testing protocols, enabling safer, longer-lasting shoulder replacements and better patient outcomes.

As a MSCA Doctoral Candidate, your main duties will include:

• Delivering cutting edge research in the specified area
• Collaborating with researchers and partners across the CUSTOM network to develop innovative solutions
• Ensuring good reporting, record keeping and management practices internally and with stakeholders
• Delivering the outcomes guided by the research aims and objectives including the necessary training required to advance the project
• Disseminating research results through recognised forms of output such as publications conferences or public engagement

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (UK) for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the recruitment date.
• A MSc degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline. Applicants must not have a PhD.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently, as well as proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary research team
• Ability to build rapport quickly with patients and health care professionals
• Ability to write and present clearly and concisely

Desirable:

• Experience in movement analysis, musculoskeletal modelling (e.g., Opensim, AnyBody)
• Experience in advance mechanical testing of clinical products or related devices
• Experience in Tribology testing and surface analysis including GDT&T
• Experience in working with different sensor technologies as part of mechanical / tribological testing
• Emerging record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Dr Rob Beadling, email: [e-mail] or Prof Michael Bryant, email: [e-mail].

Use of AI in applications:

We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone.