EU MSCA Doctoral Candidate - School of Engineering - 106922 - Grade 7 in Birmingham

Position Details

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Fixed salary of £53,555

Grade: 7 (Spot)

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2029

Closing date: 9th February 2026

Background

CUSTOM is an EU MSCA Doctoral Training Network connecting relevant academic and industrial expertise in emerging medical-device technologies across Europe and apply them to the problems of shoulder implants. Total shoulder replacements (TSRs) are now outpacing those of knees and hips, mainly due to the increasing use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSR), however roughly 10% of shoulder implants will fail within the first 10 years of service necessitating a complex revision procedure. Many of the current problems (e.g. soft-tissue failures, implant loosening, infection) derive from a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to implants; CUSTOM plans to invert this approach, based on combining computational, patient-specific design and additive manufacturing to offer complex, custom designs and structures. The project also incorporates multi-functionality as well as blended experimental and in-silico testing to accelerate the path to certification.

This post will contribute to the creation and validation of a digital twin (with biological bone models) to assess and interrogate the issue of implant loosening and wear/abrasion for anatomical and reverse TSR systems. This includes the use of interfacial BEM or FEM friction and wear models, as well as biological bone ingrowth models, to predict primary and secondary fixation. The digital twin then allows a virtual search of the most important variables that affect loosening and migration and enables a subsequent targeted optimization of the implant shape and properties. This can facilitate the certification process and market introduction of novel devices, reducing the burden on experimental preclinical testing. The role will include secondments with Zimmer Biomet to examine the use of in silico models in the context of the shoulder, and the USU Food and Drug Administration to understand the medical device development and regulatory pipeline.

Successful Candidate

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and validate a digital twin of the a/rTSR component system that can predict risk of loosening/abrasion.
• Integrate interfacial BEM/FEM (coupled via heterogenous multi-scale methods) friction/wear models (for modified load/torque transmission) and bone ingrowth models to predict primary and secondary fixation.
• Conduct in silico parameter searching of SIP variables contributing to the risk of implant loosening and migration.

Doctoral Candidate Duties

As a Doctoral Candidate, your main duties will include:

• Delivering cutting edge research in the specified area
• Collaborating with researchers and partners across the CUSTOM network to develop innovative solutions
• Ensuring good reporting, record keeping and management practices internally and with stakeholders
• Delivering the outcomes guided by the research aims and objectives including the necessary training required to advance the project
• Disseminating research results through recognised forms of output such as publications, conferences or public engagement

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required.

Role Summary

Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids

Operate within area of specialism

Analyse and interpret research findings and results

Contribute to generating funding

Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (UK) for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the recruitment date.
• A MSc degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline.
• Applicants must not have a PhD.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently, as well as proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary research team
• Ability to build rapport quickly with patients and health care professionals
• Ability to write and present clearly and concisely

Desirable:

• Experience in application of BEM/FEM computational methods
• Background in Tribology / Medical Devices
• Experience in advance mechanical testing of clinical products or related devices
• Emerging record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Dr Rob Beadling, email: a.r.beadling@bham.ac.uk or Prof Michael Bryant, email: m.g.bryant@bham.ac.uk.

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone.