Engineering Biomimetic Organ-on-Chip Systems for Ocular Research (Ref ID: THRT26/SE/EPM/LI)

About the Project

Join an exciting, fully funded interdisciplinary research project developing next-generation elastomer-hydrogel based organ-on-chip technologies for animal-free ocular research with biomimetic artificial materials aiming to promote the 3R principle (replacing animal usage in research with more ethical approaches) at the same time improve the efficiency of biotechnologies.

Your research involves developing engineering artificial tissue platforms with precisely controlled surface and interface deformation, mimicking the soft bio-mechanical behaviour of human eye tissues at both cellular and tissue levels.

The project brings opportunities in both engineering and life science research, focuses on creating advanced in-vitro systems for cell culture, combining innovative materials design, advanced manufacturing techniques, and biological validation to create more physiologically relevant models for animal-free ocular research, drug testing, and disease modelling.

Please contact the supervisors if you have any questions.

Sponsored by The Humane Research Trust (THRT), working with life science communities in the Alliance for Human Relevant Science to advance ethical, human-relevant research methods. This interdisciplinary project spans multiple areas:

• Materials Engineering: Designing elastomer-hydrogel composites with tunable mechanical properties
• Advanced manufacturing & Design: Developing fabrication methods for multi-material, deformable micro/nano-structures
• Biomechanics: Replicating tissue-level mechanical cues
• Cell Biology: Analysing cellular responses in biomimetic environments

What You'll Gain:

• Training in cutting-edge techniques: materials fabrication, microfabrication, mechanical testing, mechanics and cell culture
• Support from state-of-the-art facilities across research groups
• Recognitions in vibrant, multidisciplinary research communities worldwidely
• Networking and Collaboration opportunities with researchers worldwidely across engineering and science
• Experience at the forefront of developing organ-on-chip technology with human-relevant, ethical research approaches
• Connections to world leading companies through a variety of event interactions
• Comprehensive professional development and employment skills training

Supervisory Team:

Principal Supervisor:

Associate Professor Dr. Yifan Li (Lead of Smart Materials and Surfaces Lab – SMSL in Northumbria)

Co-Supervisors:

Associate Professor Dr. Gerrit Hilgen (Lead of Translational Bioscience Research Theme - NU-TBio in Northumbria)

Professor Ben Bin Xu (FRSC, FIMMM, expert in materials, mechanics, etc.)

You'll benefit from working across two leading research groups at Northumbria University:

• Smart Materials and Surfaces Laboratory (SMSL): http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/smsl
• Translational Biosciences (NU-TBio): http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/nu-tbio

This dual-group affiliation provides access to vibrant multidisciplinary research communities, diverse expertise, and collaborative opportunities with students and researchers across engineering and life sciences.

Eligibility:

This position is available to UK Home status students only.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student and not eligible to apply for this studentship. Applicants will need to be fully enrolled in the UK before stipend payments can commence.

Other Essential Requirements:

• 2:1 (or equivalent) undergraduate (BEng/BSc) or master's degree
• Good academic and experimental aptitude
• Excitement about interdisciplinary research spanning engineering and life sciences
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• No prior expertise in all areas required - curiosity and enthusiasm to learn across disciplines are what matter most

Application Details

Project Start Date: 1st October 2026

Application Deadline: 26th June 2026

Academic Enquiries

This project is supervised by Dr. Yifan Li . For informal queries, please contact Dr. Yifan Li (yifan.li@northumbria.ac.uk). For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions.

Funding Notes

This studentship is available to Home students only, and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2026/7 FT study this is £21,805 per year) and full tuition fees.