PhD Studentship: Actuated Microdevices for Oral Drug Delivery
Develop innovative microfabricated actuators to enhance oral bioavailability of biologics through mechanical stimulation.
Best for:Best for mechanical, biomedical, or materials engineering graduates with hands-on experimental skills and an interest in bridging engineering and life sciences for healthcare innovation.
Overview
This PhD position at the University of Birmingham focuses on designing and testing microdevices that use controlled mechanical stimulation to improve the oral delivery of biologics. The project bridges mechanical engineering and life sciences, addressing a critical challenge in drug delivery: the gastrointestinal tract’s barriers to oral bioavailability. You will work on microfabrication, actuator design, rheology, and ex vivo tissue testing, contributing to healthcare technology innovation. The role is ideal for engineers with a passion for interdisciplinary research and hands-on experimentation, offering exposure to clinical translation through partnerships with medical device companies.
What you'll do
- Design and microfabricate actuators capable of delivering controlled mechanical stimuli to intestinal tissue.
- Characterize the mechanical and rheological properties of mucus and its interaction with the actuator.
- Develop and validate benchtop intestinal models for testing drug delivery efficacy.
- Conduct finite element modeling to optimize actuator performance and tissue interaction.
- Perform ex vivo tissue experiments to assess the effectiveness of mechanical stimulation in enhancing drug transport.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate engineering and biological methods.
- Present research findings at conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
Degree required: First-class MEng degree in mechanical, electrical, biomedical, or materials engineering, applied physics, or a closely related subject
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency sufficient for academic research and collaboration
Instruction: English
- Hands-on experimental work in laboratory settings
- Willingness to learn and adapt to laboratory biology techniques
- Basic familiarity with COMSOL or similar finite element modeling software (preferred but not mandatory)
- Open to UK citizens, citizens of the Republic of Ireland, and EU citizens with settled status in the UK
- International applicants eligible but subject to EPSRC cohort restrictions
- Applicants must meet EPSRC’s eligibility criteria for home fee status or competitive funding consideration
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2027-01-08
Applicants must apply through the University of Birmingham’s admissions portal for the EPS019 programme. Submit a CV and a brief statement explaining your interest in the project. Informal enquiries are welcome via email to Dr Gerard Cummins with a CV and a short note.
- CV
- Cover letter or statement of interest
- BSc/MSc transcripts
- Two reference letters (if applicable)
Contact
Gerard Cummins· Supervisor
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