Optimising sustainability and reproducibility of total joint replacement experimental simulation

To gain regulatory approval of new Class III medical devices and to determine the safety and reliability of joint replacements prior to clinical adoption, several mechanical and tribological evaluations must be carried out. These laboratory simulations should replicate the environmental and mechanical conditions to which the joint replacement will be subjected to in the body. Despite standardisation of the methods for example in ISO and ASTM standards, comparing wear data from different laboratories and research groups can be challenging due to fundamental differences in the tribological simulation systems and variables. One critical variable is the lubricant. Bovine serum has been a commonly used lubricant with a protein content close to that of human synovial fluid, as it has been shown to replicate the wear and lubrication mechanisms of the joint replacement in the body. Whilst this approach has been adopted globally and used for >35 years, there are several disadvantages of using bovine serum. A primary concern is the sustainability of this practice. There are significant ethical and environmental concerns regarding both animal welfare and the environmental impact of the livestock industry. An alternative lubricant could save hundreds of litres of bovine serum for each joint replacement going through the research and development pathway, equating to significant reductions in the number of cattle farmed and reduced waste processing of the serum.<br /> <br /> This research will focus on designing, developing and validating animal-free sustainable lubricants for joint replacement research and testing. <br /> <br /> Novel sustainable alternatives to bovine serum, such as plant protein microgels, will be designed, synthesised and explored through this project. They will be validated by determining the friction and wear of metal-on-polyethylene bearing configurations using experimental simple geometry pin-on-plate studies as well as more complex knee simulation.<br /> <br /> The overall desired outcome is optimisation of tribological experimental simulation of total joint replacements to enhance sustainability, repeatability and efficiency, whilst retaining physiological relevancy in pre-clinical evaluation of safety and reliability.

<p>The supervision team will comprise Prof Louise Jennings (Professor of Medical Engineering, primary supervisor), Professor Anwesha Sarkar, (Professor of Colloids and Surfaces, co-supervisor), Dr Raelene Cowie (Research Fellow, co-supervisor), Dr Mazen Al-Hajjar (Principal Engineer at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, co-supervisor). All the supervision team have extensive expertise in tribological research, with specific expertise in joint replacement from Jennings, Cowie & Al-Hajjar and in multi-scale understanding of the mechanisms governing lubrication performance of multiphasic colloidal structures from Sarkar.</p> <p>The student will join the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, a cross-faculty institute based in both the School of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Biological Sciences giving experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment and extensive peer-to-peer support. The student will use capability and infrastructure within the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering built up over >25 years, including state of the art simulators for analysing wear of total joint replacements in which the School and EPSRC have strategically invested.</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study Section that you are applying for <em><strong>EPSRC DTP Engineering & Physical Sciences</strong></em> (if you do not apply under this programme code, your application will not be considered), in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Optimising sustainability and reproducibility of total joint replacement experimental simulation</strong></em> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/staff/207/professor-louise-m-jennings">Professor Louise Jennings</a> as your proposed supervisor and that the funding you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27: Mechanical Engineering</strong></em>.</p> <p>Applications will be considered after the closing date of Friday 27 February 2026.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Friday 27 February 2026:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>A highly competitive EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Landscape Award, in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson MedTech, providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£20,780 in academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to UK applicants only.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Landscape Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>Please note that there is 1 funded place available.  If you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukcisa.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CJ.S.Hewer%40leeds.ac.uk%7C07632c93c06a442dca3d08ddfc172939%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638943898649349324%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nylGSov8jOc7hr6X%2FmfnfQPecbVUnGqgoSqVgPGy5K0%3D&reserved=0">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Professor Louise Jennings by email to <a href="mailto:L.M.Jennings@leeds.ac.uk">L.M.Jennings@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>