Job offer PhD candidate/UK/MSCA-DN- RENOVATE-DC01/ Understand the subchondral bone remodelling [...]

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK research institution is seeking a PhD student to study subchondral bone remodelling in osteoarthritic joints. This research aims to establish a connection between bone changes and cartilage degeneration, collaborating with leading hospitals. Candidates should hold a 1st-class honours degree in a related field and possess strong analytical skills. The role offers £30,805 per year plus applicable UK tuition fees, providing a stimulating environment for research-focused individuals.

Qualifications

• At least a 1st-class honours degree in Biomedical Engineering, tissue engineering, biomaterials or tissue biology.
• Research experience in tissue engineering and Biomedical Engineering, or medical imaging.
• Ability to think independently, interpret data, and knowledge of statistics.
• Good verbal and written skills in plain English and scientific language.

Responsibilities

• Examine the subchondral bone remodelling in osteoarthritic joints.
• Correlate subchondral bone remodelling to overlying cartilage degeneration.
• Collaborate with hospitals to understand changes in subchondral bone during OA progression.

Skills

Biomedical Engineering

Tissue engineering

Medical imaging

Analytical skills

Medical image processing

Education

1st-class honours degree in relevant field

Job description

The RENOVATE Consortium has been awarded a Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie scheme (grant no: 101227121). The RENOVATE programme is to recruit the best candidates, to provide them with world class supervision, support, and training opportunities, to support their career development, opportunities to generate impact from their work, and create a challenging and stimulating environment which fully exposes them to the world of research and collaboration opportunities.

As part of this RENOVATE programme, University College London is seeking to appoint a PhD student to study on "Understand the subchondral bone remodelling in osteoarthritic joints". The project will involve 1) examining the subchondral bone remodelling with respect to microstructure and bone mineral density and composition changes in the osteoarthritic joints; 2) correlating subchondral bone remodelling to the overlying cartilage degeneration.

This project will, in collaboration with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and Royal Free Hospital, as well as other partners within the RENOVATE Consortium, to examine the subchondral bone explants in order to understand the changes in subchondral bone during OA progression. It is expected that this project will lead to tangible and clinically relevant results for the early diagnosis and intervention of OA. Thus, improving the quality of life of the OA patients through early diagnosis and early intervention.

All our doctoral students are members of the UCL Doctoral School, which provides high-quality training and resources. The Doctoral Skills programme provides the students with a comprehensive range of transferable skills training, including research ethics, public engagement, outreach, and impact, in addition to opportunities to attend master's level modules, CPD training and external courses.

Qualifications

1. At least a 1st -class honours (UK, or equivalent) degree in Biomedical Engineering, tissue engineering, biomaterials or tissue biology.
2. Research experience in tissue engineering and Biomedical Engineering, or medical imaging. Knowledge of in vitro and in vivo evaluation of biomaterials and medical devices.
3. Analytical skills: ability to think independently, interpret data, and knowledge of statistics.
4. Knowledge and skills in medical image processing
5. Good verbal and written skills in plain English for dialogue and scientific language for communication with team members and academic staff, publication in relevant journals and presentation to conferences.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge/experience working with cell or tissue biology.
• Knowledge of mechanical testing and microstructure examinations, and materials chemistry analysis.
• Knowledge and experience in additive manufacturing

Specific Requirements

Mobility eligibility criterion: Candidates can be of any nationality, but they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

They must also have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

Languages: ENGLISH - Level: Good - Years of Research Experience: 1 – 4

The selection process of DCs complies with ethical principles, including the highest standards of research integrity as set out in the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and all applicable international, EU and national law, including the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and its Supplementary Protocols.

£30805 per year plus UK tuition fees (dependent on the fellow type and registration date of the student).