Institute of Medical & Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, United Kingdom

Enquiries: Dr Sotirios Korossis

Tel: +44 7930 925 199; E-mail: S.Korossis@leeds.ac.uk

Applications are invited for a 3.5 year Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded PhD research studentship to work on the project entitled “Computational modelling of cell behaviour and tissue remodelling in response to tissue recellularisation under mechanical conditioning” under the supervision of Dr Sotirios Korossis and Professor Zhongmin Jin. The project is funded via an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship. This studentship is open to both UK and European Union applicants. The aims of this multidisciplinary project are to research and develop stress-strain and oxygen transport models to predict cell behaviour and extracellular matrix remodelling in response to recellularisation and conditioning of decellularised tissues under uniaxial and biaxial strain stimuli. The tissues to be investigated will include tendon fascicles and pericardium with a view to develop tissue engineering constructs for the reconstruction of the mitral heart valve. This project will primarily employ analytical and computational finite element modelling, as well as experimental testing and validation. A major collaborator in this research is the UK National Blood Service Tissue Services. This project is also benefited from substantial links to the industrial sector. The research will be carried out in the Institute of Medical & Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds. The School has an international reputation for the quality of its teaching and research activities. As a testimony to these strengths, the School was awarded the highest possible rating of 5** in the most recent UK Government Research Assessment Exercise. Applicants should hold a good first degree (first or upper second class degree or equivalent) or an MSc degree in a relevant discipline such as Engineering Mathematics or Physics, and should be eligible for EPSRC awards. This PhD Research Scholarship is available now for an immediate start. UK/European Union Nationals receive full fees plus £12,600 (18,900 EURO – tax free) maintenance per year. Further details about the research carried out in the School Mechanical Engineering can be found at http://www.engineering.leeds.ac. uk/mech/pg/ PGRMech.shtml.