EPSRC - Engineering Collagen-Based Materials for the Scalable Manufacturing of Next-Generation Regenerative Therapies

About the Project

This PhD project addresses a fundamental challenge at the interface of biomaterials science, sustainability, and biofabrication: transforming underutilised animal-derived waste into high-value, clinically translatable biomaterials. Animal by-products from the food industry are an abundant yet largely untapped source of collagen and extracellular matrix (ECM), offering a unique opportunity to develop sustainable alternatives to conventional biomaterials.

The project will focus on engineering collagen-based hydrogels and bioinks with precisely tunable mechanical, viscoelastic, and degradation properties, enabling both injectable therapies and advanced 3D bioprinting. Delivered in collaboration with an industrial partner and global leader in biomaterials for healthcare applications, the research is strongly aligned with translation, scalability, and real-world impact. Materials will be validated using human stem cell models relevant to skeletal tissue regeneration.

This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation, sustainable biomaterials, bridging the circular bio-economy with advanced regenerative medicine.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. EU students with settled or pre-settled status and international student can apply but their application eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.