PhD Studentship in Bioengineering – Biomechanical Risk Factors for Bone Fracture

Award Summary

100% fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs will also be provided. 

Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic engineer to help us explore the mechanics of bone in patients with brittle bone disease, who is familiar with finite element modelling techniques and scripting.  

Osteogenesis imperfect (OI), also known as ‘brittle bone disease’ is a genetic condition which affects the development of type I collagen. Patients with OI have poor mineralisation of their bones and consequently are much more likely to suffer bone fractures. Fractures are most common in patients when they are children and also later on in life (between 60 and 80). There is huge variability in how well different patients respond to different treatments and we cannot currently predict for an individual how severe their disease will be or the best treatment pathway. 

This project is in collaboration with Dr Richie Abel from Imperial College London, who is an expert in bone biology and will provide the high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans of the bone. The overall goal of the project is to use computational approaches to map both the modulus and the Poisson’s ratio of the bone in patients with and without OI to improve our understanding of the mechanical consequence of the disease. Model results will be validated with experimental test data. This project will harness new software capabilities to better understand bone mechanics, providing insight into the cause of OI fractures and its management. 

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their computational modelling capabilities in this project, alongside learning new skills such as testing on biological tissues and medical image processing. The studentship includes many opportunities for the candidate to build their professional network by presenting their work at conferences and discussing research findings with clinicians and academics. 

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

1st October 2026

Award Duration

4 Years

Sponsor

EPSRC  

Supervisors

Dr Elise Pegg

Dr Jennifer Olsen 

Eligibility Criteria

We are adopting a contextual admissions process. This means we will consider other key competencies and experience alongside your academic qualifications. An example can be found here. 

A minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project is our standard entry, however we place value on prior experience, enthusiasm for research, and the ability to think and work independently. Excellent Analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. A Masters qualification may not be required if you have a minimum 2:1 degree or can evidence alternative experience in a work or research-based project. If you have alternative qualifications or experience, please contact us to discuss flexibilities and request an exemption.  

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills. International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme. 

How to apply 

For information on how to apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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