Bioengineering Anti-Thrombotic Surfaces for Heart-Lung Machines

About the Project

Project Overview:

Blood clot formation (thrombosis) remains a major life-threatening complication in patients supported by Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a form of heart-lung machine used in intensive care units. Despite current heparin-coated circuits and systemic anticoagulation, circuit thrombosis still occurs in up to 35% of patients, leading to increased mortality and bleeding complications. This project aims to unravel the underlying mechanisms of ECMO thrombosis and engineer a durable, non-thrombogenic, slippery nano-surface coating to prevent clot formation. Join an exciting, collaborative, multidisciplinary project between the Cardiovascular Medical Devices Group at the University of Sydney in Associate Professor Anna Waterhouse’s Lab, and Associate Professor Mark Dennis at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

As a PhD student, you will be involved in:

• Characterising and evaluating ECMO circuit thrombosis from clinical samples.
• Developing and optimizing surface coatings that repel protein and cell adhesion.
• Fabricating ECMO thrombosis-on-a-chip microfluidic systems that replicate blood flow and clotting under real-world conditions and identify mechanisms of material thrombosis.
• Evaluating surface and material properties (chemistry, wettability, roughness) for thrombogenicity.
• Characterizing thrombosis using patient-derived blood samples and live microscopy.
• Testing novel coatings using in vitro blood flow systems and in vivo thrombosis models.

You will be trained in advanced techniques including microfluidics, surface chemistry, blood-material interaction analysis, live-cell imaging, animal model studies and histology. Your work will contribute to the design of safer, next-generation life support devices with reduced reliance on systemic anticoagulants.

Supervisor:

This project will be supervised by Assoc Prof Anna Waterhouse, who leads the Cardiovascular Medical Devices Group in the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. A/Prof Waterhouse is a leader in the Biomaterials/Bioengineering fields with >15 years’ experience leading multidisciplinary teams of researchers and clinicians on multiple large, successful research projects. A/Prof Waterhouse's expertise is focused towards understanding biomaterial thrombosis and creating materials that do not cause thrombosis for blood-contacting medical devices. A/Prof Waterhouse's work has impacted the field by pioneering the development of new surface coatings and introducing new methods and models to evaluate materials/devices and is ranked in the top 0.14% researchers worldwide in biocompatible materials.

Facilities:

The project is based at the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, in close collaboration with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. You will have access to:

• Custom-built microfluidic fabrication facilities (USyd Research Prototype Facility)
• Advanced imaging and characterization platforms (Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis, Nano Institute)
• State-of-the-art biomaterials and thrombosis testing labs
• Clinical-grade ECMO materials and human/animal thrombus and blood samples

Student Requirements:

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Medical Science, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Prior experience in any of the following areas: thrombosis, coagulation, microfluidics, microscopy, surface chemistry, nanotechnology, materials science, biointerface science or blood-contacting devices is desirable.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to work across interdisciplinary teams including clinicians and engineers.

To Apply: Domestic and International students are welcome to express interest. Please complete this form and upload a cover letter, CV, academic transcript, and contact details for two referees. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Location: The University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre

Funding: Competitive PhD scholarship available to apply for (stipend + tuition)

Start Date: Early to mid 2026 (flexible)