School Funded PhD Studentship available in the University of Huddersfield’s School of Applied Sciences: Deciphering Cellular Drivers of Wound Healing in a 3D Engineered Skin Model

About the Project

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving multiple skin cell types. While fibroblasts and keratinocytes have been extensively studied using 2D and 3D models of wound healing, the roles of other skin cells—such as melanocytes, adipocytes, and endothelial cells in such models remain underexplored.

This PhD project explores how overlooked skin‑resident cell populations influence wound healing at the tissue level. You’ll work with plastic surgeons and access healthy human skin donated from routine procedures (including abdominoplasties, breast reductions, and graft surgeries). Using this material, you’ll isolate primary human skin cells and engineer advanced 3D skin models by repurposing the dermis as a biological scaffold. This is a rare opportunity to combine clinically relevant human tissue, cutting‑edge bioengineering, and fundamental cell biology to uncover mechanisms that could transform future wound‑repair therapies

By highlighting the contributions of these cells, we seek to expand the current understanding of skin regeneration and identify novel cellular targets that could be leveraged in advanced wound care strategies. These findings may inform the development of next generation dressings and therapeutic interventions designed to accelerate healing and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, this work will lay the foundation for a new 3D model system capable of studying the interactions and functions of diverse skin cell types in the wound healing environment.

Finally, developing a reproducible in vitro wound healing model will reduce reliance on animal testing, aligning with the 3Rs—Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement. This model will provide a human relevant platform for evaluating novel therapies, accelerating preclinical research while promoting ethical and translationally meaningful outcomes.

For subject specific enquiries please contact: k.bertal-ngaage@hud.ac.uk.

Name of supervisor(s) - Dr Karima Bertal-Ngaage

Fully funded PhD research scholarships are offered in the School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, for an October 2026 start.

Please note that there are more projects than funded scholarships available, therefore this is a competitive application process. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview by the 18th June 2026. The interviews will be held on campus on the 25th June 2026. After interview the most outstanding applicants will be offered a scholarship.

Application Details

You must submit your application in full by Friday 5th June 2026, including the following documents:

• A motivational email as to why you wish to apply for the scholarship, stating which project you are applying for.
• Full CV
• Provide copies of transcripts and certificates of all relevant academic and/or any professional qualifications.
• Provide references from two individuals – please contact your referees and ask them to send your reference directly to gs.pgradmissions@hud.ac.ukfrom their email address. (references can be submitted late but must be received by 12th June 2026)
• Proof of eligibility – e.g. scan of passport photo page

Please email gs.pgradmissions@hud.ac.uk with queries regarding eligibility and submitting documents. Informal enquiries about individual projects should be directed to the lead supervisor listed for each project.

Summary of Award

Type of Award             Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Eligibility                      Open to home applicants only. Applicants must have an upper-class degree or above, in a related field or be in line for this award in the 2026 summer examinations.

Location                       Huddersfield

Funding                        3 years full-time research covering tuition fees and a tax-free bursary (stipend) starting at £21,805 for 2026/27.