PhD position Marie Curie -ITN in Machine Element

-Biocompatibility responses to newly developed 3D printed thermoplastic composites for orthopaedic application

PhD degree at: Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

Are you interested in the field of biotribology, Biomaterials and polymer science? Would you like to contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies to impact on improvement of 3D printing techniques to provide adequate surfaces/materials for functional use in medical devices and joint replacement? Do you want to further your career and attain a PhD in one of the Sweden’s leading research-intensive universities?

You will join a recently funded European Training Network (ETN) BioTrib (project ID 956004, call H2020-MSCA-ITN-2020). BioTrib offers high-level doctoral training, where two Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will be employed at the Luleå University of Technology (LTU) in Sweden with secondment and short visit from three international collaborators.

Short description of project

ESR5: Biocompatibility responses to newly developed 3D printed PEEK/UHMWPE (thermoplastic)- and their composites for orthopaedic application

Objectives: The main focus in this ESR is to investigate the biocompatibility of the wear particles produced from newly developed self-lubricating polymer based materials using 3D printing method versus the conventionally consolidated polymers, to be used in total joint replacement. One very important aspect of the successful biomaterial development in orthopaedic application is the biocompatibility and biological responses (osteolysis) of it. A multi-direction pin-on-plate wear simulators will be used to study the wear mechanism and producing wear particles. High resolution cold field SEM will be used to analyse isolated particles. Particle size and shape will be determined. Subsequently immune cell responses (peripheral blood mononuclear cells - PBMNCs) to wear particles from the experimentally made materials (3D printed) will be determined in terms of osteolytic cytokine release (TNF-alpha, Interleukin-6 and 8) to indicate inflammatory potential of the composite materials, toxicity, and ability to cause oxidative stress and DNA damage compared to control which is the commercially available UHMWPE used in acetabular cup in total joint replacement. Surfaces will be analysed using a variety of techniques (CMM, contacting and non-contacting profilometry, HR-SEM). Particles will be analysed for morphology using CF-SEM, image analysis and energy dispersive X-ray analysis.

Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics: has knowledge, expertise and state of the art laboratory facilities to offer a broad interdisciplinary doctoral training education. Tribology is the main research focus at the Division of Machine Elements. The group is one of the largest tribology research groups in Europe with about 35 staff members (including 6 professors and 2 associate professors).

For further information about a specific subject see; General curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Qualifications
You will have a top-class undergraduate degree and/or a Master degree, or equivalent, in, Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterials, Polymer Science, or Mechanical Engineering with research experience or/and interest in Biotribology, and the flexibility to travel and work internationally.

Experience/knowledge in 3D printing of polymeric materials, characterisation methods and nanotechnology and polymer tribology is meriting.

Important eligibility rules for this position 
There are no restrictions on the nationality, but


• Applicants must, at the time of recruitment, have not yet been awarded a doctorate degree and be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date that you obtained the degree which would entitle you to embark on a PhD.
• At the time of recruitment, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc...) in SWEDEN for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment under the BioTrib project. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. 

Luleå – the city
Luleå is situated in the north of Sweden, near the sea (Gulf of Bothnia) and have warm and sunny summers with midnight sun and cold winters with lots of snow. Skiing, skating, ice-hockey and driving snow mobile are typical activities in the winter. See Luleå the City  for more information.

Information
For general inquiries about position and LTU, please contact Professor Nazanin Emami (scientific leader for the project), Tel: +46 920 491939, e-mail: nazanin.emami@ltu.se at the Division of Machine Elements  LTU.  If you want to learn about division of Machine Element in general contact Associate professor Jens Hardell, head of the Division, e-mail, jens.hardell@ltu.se 

Union representatives: SACO-S Kjell Johansson +46-920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se  OFR-S Lars Frisk, +46-920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

Application
You apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified Bachelor and Master transcripts as well as copy of original BSc and MSc diplomas (translated in English). Mark your application with the reference number below.

The position will be available from late autumn 2021 or January 2022.

Final day to apply: 31st of March 2021
Reference number: 267-2021