PhD Studentship - Preclinical Evaluation of Spinal Therapies

Project Link: Preclinical Evaluation of Spinal Therapies | Project Opportunities | PhD | University of Leeds

Number of Positions: 1

Funding: School of Mechanical Engineering Studentship, in support of the EPSRC Grant Number 127833, providing the award of full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate of £20,780 per year for 3.5 years. 

Lead Supervisor’s full name & email address

Dr. Gavin Day: g.day1@leeds.ac.uk

Co-supervisor name & email address

Dr. Marlene Mengoni: m.mengoni@leeds.ac.uk

Professor Ruth Wilcox: r.k.wilcox@leeds.ac.uk

Project summary

A funded PhD position is available to evaluate variation in spinal treatments using engineering methods. Specifically, the project will develop and validate novel computational testing methods to evaluate the effect of patient variance on the biomechanical function following spinal treatment.

Back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability in the western countries, with disc degeneration the main causal diagnosis. Current surgical options have poor long-term outcomes and are highly invasive and non-reversible. There are therefore pressing needs for a better match of patients to existing treatments and for novel, less invasive, treatments to delay or prevent the need for more invasive options.

In this PhD project, you will be able to access unique experimental and computational facilities developed through large programmes of research. You will aim to develop and validate a computational testing process, which can include patient variability for the biomechanical assessment of fusion devices and/or of biomaterials for intervertebral discs. This will be used to optimise variables in preclinical design of these interventions. The studies will include the use of Finite Element Analysis and 3D image analysis alongside in vitro testing methodologies to examine the biomechanical performance of interventions and how they vary with anatomical and tissue characteristics.

You will have a background in an engineering or related subject with experience of mechanics, finite element methods and numerical analysis.

Please state your entry requirements plus any necessary or desired background

A first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.

Subject area: Biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering

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