Bioinspired Materials for Healthcare and Industrial Applications (Ref: MP-JC-2501)

About the Project

The Bioinspired Materials and Biointerfaces Research Group at Loughborough University is inviting applications from exceptional and motivated PhD candidates to join our cutting-edge research in Bioinspired Materials and Biointerfaces.

This opportunity is open to self-funded applicants or those applying for external sponsorship (e.g. government, common wealth scholarship or China Scholarship Council schemes).

We welcome students with a strong interest in bioinspired materials, medical engineering, surface physics, coatings, computational modelling, and nano/microfabrication, who are eager to shape the future of healthcare technologies, the physics of life, and sustainable, low-carbon innovations.

Project Overview

Bioinspired materials and interfaces have transformative potential across sectors including healthcare, marine engineering, wastewater treatment, aerospace, and renewable energy. Despite this promise, understanding the fundamental physical principles behind these systems—and developing scalable methods to manufacture them for targeted applications—remains a major challenge.

This PhD will focus on tackling these challenges. The project can be experimentally driven, modelling based, or a combination of both, depending on your background and research interests. A range of research themes are available, offering flexibility to tailor the project to your expertise.

Potential Research Themes

The exact focus of the PhD can be tailored to your background and interests, covering one or more of the topics below. You’re also welcome to suggest your own research idea if it fits within our research areas.

1. Innovative Anti-biofilm Strategies - Develop next-generation, antibiotic-free materials to combat biofilm-related infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with applications in healthcare and medical devices.
2. Next-Generation Solar Cells - Explore advanced materials and surface engineering techniques to enhance the efficiency, durability, and sustainability of solar energy technologies.
3. AI-Driven Materials Design - Apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate the discovery and optimisation of functional materials for energy, healthcare, and environmental applications.
4. BioInspired Materials - Design and fabricate materials that mimic biological systems, enabling breakthroughs in soft robotics, tissue engineering, and adaptive surfaces.
5. Computational Tissue Engineering - Use multiscale modelling and simulation to understand cell–material interactions and guide the design of biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
6. Physics of Bacteria - Investigate the mechanical and biophysical properties of bacterial cells to inform novel antimicrobial strategies and understand microbial behaviour under stress.
7. Advanced Sensor Technologies for Healthcare or Aerospace Applications

Research Environment

You will join a vibrant, multidisciplinary research team within the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering at Loughborough University. Our group collaborates extensively with industrial and academic partners across the UK, Europe, the USA, and Australia, providing an inspiring and internationally connected research environment.

We play a leading role in national research programmes focused on bioinspired materials, anti-fouling coatings, biophysics, biofilm research, and the fracture mechanics of coatings. We are supported by state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities, enabling world-class research and innovation.

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead:

Jinju Chen j.chen4@lboro.ac.uk

Entry requirements:

Applicants should hold (or expect to hold) a First or Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, Medical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related discipline.

A strong interest in computational modelling, materials characterisation, or materials fabrication is desirable. Prior experience with finite element modelling or computational fluid dynamics, or data analysis/image analysis using python will be advantageous, but not necessary.

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Closing date of advert: 31st May 2026

Start date: July 2026, October 2026, February 2027

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years

How to Apply:

All applications should be made online. Under Campus, please select Loughborough and select Programme Materials. Please quote MP-JC-2501 in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents. The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.

Email Address AACME:

aacme.pgr@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk