PhD (LITAC) Studentship - Piezoelectric Hydrogel for On-Demand Release of Anticancer Drugs for the Treatment of Bone Cancer

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is one of the most common primary bone cancers that affects young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years. Patients have one of the lowest survival rates in Europe, despite treatment with a combination of high-dose chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. This treatment is associated with unwanted side effects and significant reduction in quality of life (including risks of amputation), highlighting the need for more effective kinder treatments. 

This project aims to explore an alternative therapeutic modality for primary bone cancer through the design of a bioinspired hydrogel that can be implanted in the tumour site to enable localised release of anticancer drugs following mechanical stimulation. Our goal is to exploit the electrophysiology and piezoelectricity of bone tissue to develop a drug-loaded fibre-forming hydrogel that can respond to mechanical stimuli through anticancer drug release. The primary aim of this localised therapeutic modality is to reduce the amount of drug required to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects, resulting in improved quality of life and a new dimension in the global fight against common bone tumour in young people. 

The successful applicant will join the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), a collaborative international research Institute that applies academic expertise, working together with external partners, both industrial from across the world, to address global challenges and sustainable development in textile and colour industries. We are focused on the development of innovative science and technology, materials, methods and processes.

Duration of the Award

• Full-time (3 years), pro-rata for part-time. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2 and a half years (pro-rata for part-time), subject to satisfactory academic progress. 

Funding

• Full Fees
• Maintenance (£19,237 in Session 2024/25 for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata at 60%). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate.
• Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.

Other Conditions

• Awards must be taken up by 1st of October 2025.
• The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time or part-time research study leading to the degree of PhD. Students who are already registered for PhD research study are excluded from applying. 

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements for PGR (Masters by research or PhD) study is 2.1 honours degree. For PhD, a Masters or Integrated Masters degree isn’t a requirement but is advantageous given the volume of applications we receive – ideally you will have achieved a distinction or at least a merit, especially in your Masters dissertation or final research project. The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Design is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component or equivalent.

How to apply for this position could refer to more details at:

phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/398-litac-scholarship-piezoelectric-hydrogel-for-on-demand-release-of-anticancer-drugs-for-the-treatment-of-bone-cancer

Contact details

For further information please contact the Admissions team on ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk.

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