Understanding and Preventing Failure in Reverse Shoulder Replacement

Reverse shoulder replacement is increasingly used to restore function and relieve pain in patients with severe shoulder pathology and rotator cuff deficiency. While clinical outcomes are generally positive, some implants fail prematurely due to instability, loosening, and excessive wear, with implant positioning recognised as a key contributing factor. Understanding how surgical placement influences implant biomechanics is critical to improving long-term outcomes.<br /> <br /> This PhD project will develop and validate an advanced musculoskeletal model of reverse shoulder replacement to investigate the relationship between implant positioning, shoulder biomechanics, and implant performance. The research will combine computational modelling, experimental simulation, and analysis of retrieved implants to identify the mechanisms driving implant wear and failure. Working closely with clinicians and industry partners, the successful candidate will contribute to research with direct translational impact on orthopaedic surgery, implant design, and patient care.<br /> <br /> The aim of the project is to develop and validate (through experimental simulation) a musculoskeletal modelling framework for reverse shoulder replacement that can predict the effects of implant positioning on shoulder biomechanics, implant performance, and potential failure mechanisms.

<p><strong>Background</strong><br /> Reverse shoulder replacement is increasingly used to restore function and reduce pain in patients with severe shoulder disease and rotator cuff deficiency. Despite generally successful outcomes, some implants fail prematurely because of instability, loosening, or excessive wear, often linked to the surgical positioning of implant components. Limited understanding exists of how implant placement influences shoulder biomechanics and long-term performance. Improved predictive tools are needed to support surgical decision-making and optimise outcomes. This project addresses this by combining computational modelling, experimental biomechanics, and analysis of retrieved implants to better understand failure mechanisms and develop evidence-based strategies for more durable shoulder replacements.<br /> <br /> <strong>Methodology</strong><br /> This project will combine computational modelling, experimental biomechanics, and implant retrieval analysis to investigate the effects of implant positioning in reverse shoulder replacement. A musculoskeletal shoulder model will be developed to simulate reverse shoulder replacement and predict the influence of component positioning on joint reaction forces, range of motion, and stability. Model predictions will be validated through experimental simulation using clinically relevant implant configurations, enabling assessment of wear and damage mechanisms. Retrieved implants from patients will be analysed to identify patterns of damage and failure. Integrating these approaches will provide robust evidence to optimise surgical planning and improve implant performance.<br />  </p> <p><strong>Skills Required</strong><br /> A relevant degree and background in mechanical or medical engineering, or a related discipline with excellent computational skills (ideally including finite element analysis) and some laboratory experience.<br />  </p> <p><strong>Industry/external partners</strong><br /> This project will be support and co-supervised by Professor Puneet Monga, a consultant shoulder surgeon at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Hospital Trust<br />  </p>

<p>To apply for this project you will need to <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">make a formal application for research degree study through the University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>‘Application type’</strong> please select <strong>‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </strong><br /> •    The <strong>admission year</strong> for this project is<strong> 2027/28 Academic Year.</strong><br /> •    You will need to select your <strong>‘Planned Course of Study’</strong> from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select <strong>‘EPSRC DLA (Engineering, Biological Sciences, Medicine)’ </strong><br /> •    The project start date for this project is <strong>01/10/2027</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>‘Understanding and Preventing Failure in Reverse Shoulder Replacement’ </strong>as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/staff/232/professor-sophie-williams">Prof Sophie Williams</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p><strong>Please state clearly in the finance section that the funding you are applying for is EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2027/28: Mechanical Engineering.</strong></p> <p>You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project. </p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of 18 November 2026 or at the point you submit your application:</strong></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 in the School of Mechanical Engineering should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. 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 supervisor or Admissions Team 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 Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (currently £21,805 in academic session 2026/27) for 3.5 years and rising annually, in line with standard UKRI rates. Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to UK applicants only. </p> <p><br /> <strong>Competition funded  </strong></p> <ul> <li>"Competition funded" means that we advertise a larger number of projects than available awards. Not all projects advertised for this funding opportunity will receive funding. The selection panel will consider all applications received across the full range of advertised projects and select the awardee/s based on the strength of their application. </li> </ul> <p><br /> <strong>Eligibility Criteria </strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</li> </ul> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /> <strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Candidates who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered. </li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2027.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul> <p><br /> If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page.</a><br />  </p>

<p>For further information please contact the PGR Admissions Engineering and Physical Sciences team on this email address: <a href="http://phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>If you are interested in this project or have any questions, please contact the project supervisor Prof Sophie Williams on this address: <a href="mailto:s.d.williams@leeds.ac.uk">s.d.williams@leeds.ac.uk</a> </p>