About the Project
You are invited to apply for a fully funded PhD working with Prof. Paul Topham and Dr Matthew Derry from the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME), together with industry partner Coloplast. You will understand existing systems and develop new polymer adhesive materials for advanced ostomy care.
Project details
Background
The number of people living with a stoma is increasing worldwide, with around 21,000 surgeries performed annually in the UK alone. Despite advances in ostomy care, many users continue to experience leakage and peristomal skin complications due to inadequate long-term adhesion, limited moisture transport from the skin interface, loss of mechanical integrity, leading to skin damage and reduced product performance.
In collaboration with industrial partner Coloplast, a global leader in ostomy care, this project will develop next-generation adhesive materials. By exploring the potential of new polymer materials in conjunction with conventional pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) principles, the research aims to overcome current adhesive limitations and improve device performance and patient quality of life.
Aims & Methods
This project aims to develop and investigate the potential of novel purpose-designed polymeric systems with enhanced adhesive performance, improved moisture management, and compatibility with skin tissue.
These materials will be engineered to provide strong bio-adhesion and sufficient cohesion strength through a range of chemical and physical bonding mechanisms, ensuring mechanical integrity and durability during use.
You will explore a range of polymer synthesis and fabrication strategies, investigating the effects of charged-to-neutral monomers, hydrophilicity, and crosslinking mechanisms and density. These systems will be tailored to optimise key performance characteristics, including adhesion strength, moisture uptake and transport, viscoelasticity and resistance to degradation under physiological conditions.
The materials will be studied using modern analytical techniques to understand how composition and structure influence adhesive performance, interfacial behaviour with skin and various bodily fluids, and long-term stability. Biological relevance will be assessed through models that mimic moist skin environments.
Through this work, we will develop a comprehensive understanding of advanced, multifunctional adhesive materials to enable the design of next-generation ostomy baseplate technologies. This project will deliver both fundamental insights into polymer-biological interactions and practical routes to improved medical adhesives, supporting enhanced patient outcomes and industrial innovation.
PhD overview
PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills.
At Aston University, our Engineering and Physical Sciences PhD programmes will provide all the support and facilities you will need to develop into a leading researcher in your chosen field. You will be welcomed into a supportive community with a shared enthusiasm for original research, where diversity and multidisciplinary is championed.
Person specification
Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:
- A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1.
- OR
- A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher.
Qualifications from other countries which are considered by Aston University to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply.
Essential skills:
- Strong practical laboratory skills and confidence in experimental work
- Knowledge of polymer science or materials science
- Ability to think critically, analyse data and solve problems independently
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Desirable experience:
- Familiarity with hydrogel materials and/or surface chemistry
- Experience with techniques such as FTIR, SEM and mechanical testing
- Interest in healthcare, sustainability, industrial collaboration, membrane science or circular economy principles
Submitting an application
We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include:
- English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
- A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count.
- A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience.
- Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary.
- Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage.
- A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.
Interviews
Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.
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