PhD Studentship - Advanced 3D Printed Microfluidic Flow Reactors for Cost-efficient and Sustainable Synthesis of Medicines

Applications are invited for a PhD project within the University of Nottingham’s world-leading Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) in the Faculty of Engineering. 

Vision and motivation

Medicines shortages have reached record highs in recent years due to adherence to logistically complex, labour intensive and inefficient batchwise manufacturing. High energy consumption and use of hazardous solvents cause environmental concerns with long supply chains leading to extensive carbon footprints. This studentship will be part of a broader vision to leverage the latest advances in 3D printing to enable on-demand medicines manufacture that is highly cost-efficient and sustainable. This unique approach synergistically combines the strengths of flow synthesis, biocatalysis and 3D printing.

Project goals

Building on our previous work, you will design and 3D print new high-efficiency flow reactor geometries - enabled by our unique ability to print high resolution bioactive materials - as well as explore design of downstream components including novel chemical separators and co-factor recycling units. You will test efficacy of commercial enzymes for the synthesis of medicine intermediates, gifted by our industrial partners Johnson Matthey. You will work at the University of Nottingham’s world-leading Centre for Additive Manufacturing, which hosts an array of state-of-the-art additive manufacturing (AM) systems. Crucial to this work is an ultra-high-resolution projection micro-stereolithography (PµSL) system and a unique multi-material inkjet platform. 

Benefits to you

The project will equip you with a broad array of advanced manufacturing expertise, industrial contacts and interdisciplinary scientific knowledge suitable for a career in academia or industry. The studentship is aligned with several current priority and proposed research streams within the Faculty of Engineering, ensuring senior researcher expertise will be available to support you. The broad and thriving environment of students, researchers and academics at CfAM will provide you with the support, mentorship, skills and training to become an independent expert in new 3D printed biotechnology related to medicines synthesis.

Candidate requirements

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated candidate with a strong willingness to learn new disciplines and innovate to achieve project goals

• Essential skills: candidates must possess or expect to obtain a 1st or 2:1 degree in either engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related discipline
• Desirable but not essential skills: interest in 3D printing, programming skills (e.g. Matlab), analytical chemistry, biochemistry/protein expression 

Eligibility and funding

This studentship is open to UK/home and international candidates. 

After a suitable candidate is found, funding is sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process. This will cover home tuition fees and UKRI stipend.

PhD start date: October 2026 for 42 months

How to apply

Application deadline: 9 March 2026

To apply, email a covering letter, CV and academic transcripts to Simon Attwood at simon.attwood@nottingham.ac.uk. Applications without academic transcripts will not be considered. Please refer to the project title in your application. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is appointed.

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