Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidate Post on “DC4: Development of Functional Polymeric Bioabsorbable Coatings for Endovascular Medical Device Concepts” – BIOMEND Doctoral Network (University of Galway 008-24)

Organisation/Company

University of Galway

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

31 Jan 2024 – 17:00 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

39

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA

Reference Number

University of Galway 008-24

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101120006

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Applications are invited from suitable qualified candidates for a full time, fixed term position (36 months) as a Doctoral Candidate (DC) on the BIOMEND Doctoral Network at the School of Engineering, University of Galway. This position is DC4, which is one of 15 doctoral researchers being recruited as a part of a European-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DN) on Bioabsorbable Metallic Endovascular Medical Devices – ‘BIOMEND’. The successful applicant will be registered for a PhD at the University of Galway, and will work on the topic of Development of Functional Polymeric Bioabsorbable Coatings for EMD Concepts with Professor Ted Vaughan, in collaboration with Dr. Ing. Alexander Kopp, CEO Fibrothelium, Aachen, Germany.  

Only applicants who have not been resident in Ireland for more than 12 months in the three years preceding the start date are eligible for this post. This PhD is funded through an industrial doctoral programme, whereby the successful candidate will have to fulfil a mobility requirement, which means that they will spend at least 18 months in the industry partner, Fibrothelium Gmbh, Aachen, Germany.   

About BIOMEND 

The BIOMEND Doctoral Network will develop next-generation bioabsorbable metals for endovascular medical devices for both cardiovascular and peripheral applications. BIOMEND will achieve this through the development of ultra-fine grain Magnesium and Zinc alloys that exhibit high strength, excellent creep performance and high ductility, with enhanced corrosion properties delivered by multi-layer coating technologies. These novel Magnesium and Zinc metal alloys will be leveraged to develop, design and fabricate a range of innovate bioabsorbable metallic endovascular medical devices across both cardiovascular and peripheral applications. Pre-clinical evaluation will be conducted to demonstrate enhanced functional performance of bioabsorbable metal endovascular medical devices in both acute and long-term animal models. These medical devices have the potential to be technology disruptors in endovascular medicine and all DCs will be involved in establishing a clear roadmap for their commercialisation through exploitation activities. Apart from these technological breakthroughs, BIOMEND programme will make significant scientific impact by developing novel ultra-fine grain Mg & Zn alloys and establishing new structure-property-processing relationships describing their performance 

About the post and the research project 

This full-time post will be available, subject to funding, from August 2024 and offered on a fixed-term 36-month contract. This post benefits from a highly competitive and attractive salary, plus mobility and family allowances as applicable. Working as a part of the Materials work package, the successful applicant will complete a research project on: Development of Functional Polymeric Bioabsorbable Coatings for Endovascular Medical Device Concepts. The objective of this project is to enhance the corrosion resistance of Magnesium & Zinc alloy systems being produced through the development of protective polymer, ceramic and biobased silk-fibroin coatings. This will target enhanced corrosion resistance through progressive layering of metallic substrates to enable a predictable breakdown of the protective layers. This project will (i) investigate the use of existing polymer-, ceramic- and silk-fibroin based coatings in multilayering configurations on the preferred Mg and Zc alloys. (ii) Develop multilayer conformations to include X-ray marker and drug eluting systems in preferred coating. (iii) Conduct in vitro corrosion testing to identify the most promising coating technologies for Mg & Zn based bioabsorbables metals under development, seeking to provide spatiotemporal control of degradation and (iv) Integrate the coating processing (spray, dip-or electrophoretic principle) onto EMD prototype concepts under developed by DCs 6-13. This project would suit a candidate with an academic qualification in Mechanical, Biomedical or Materials Engineering (or related disciplines), and previous experience in processing and/or experimental characterisation of materials desirable. 

Research Environment  

This research will be conducted using the equipment, technical expertise, office and research space within the Biomechanics Research Centre in the School of Engineering at University of Galway. The Alice Perry Engineering building houses state-of-the-art Biomedical Engineering facilities including cell culture laboratories, biomechanical testing laboratories, micro-CT scanning, microscopy, research space and computer suites. The BIOMEND DN has been funded through the industrial doctoral programme, whereby the successful candidate will have to fulfil a mobility requirement, which means that they will spend at least 18 months in the industry partner, Fibrothelium, Aachen, Germany.   

Position Duties: 

We are seeking to hire a motivated and committed doctoral researcher with a strong interest in conducting original research on bioabsorbable medical devices. The successful applicant will: 

• Complete an original research project on the topic of Development of Functional Polymeric Bioabsorbable Coatings for EMD Concepts ; 

• Complete an industrial placement of >18 months at the industry partner, Fibrothelium Gmbh located in Aachen, Germany 

• Participate in network-wide training events in the course of the project and complete any additional training required to successfully carry out the research proposal; 

• Adhere to and develop materials for BIOMEND reporting and personal training requirements (e.g. Personal Career Development Plan; annual summaries of research findings; Impact Action Plan for societal impact); 

• Prepare and disseminate research findings, in academic journals and for relevant stakeholders; 

• Prepare regular research updates for the BIOMEND website and social media accounts; 

• Prepare a manuscript for submission as a PhD thesis in accordance with the policies and procedures of the University of Galway; 

• Work with the PI in preparing funding proposals related to the DR’s area of research. 

• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post. 

Qualifications/Skills required: 

Candidates will be required to meet the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Researcher eligibility criteria (https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/ ), and criteria specific to this project. 

Requirements: 

• At the time of application, applicants must not have resided in the (host country) Ireland for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the appointment; 

• A Master’s degree in Mechanical, Biomedical or Materials Engineering (or related disciplines) and excellent track record of academic achievement; 

• Previous experience in experimental characterisation/processing of materials desirable.  

• Have excellent communications skills in English both written and verbal; 

• Ability to and commitment to producing scientific outputs for publication in peer reviewed journals; 

• Evidence of ability to work independently and collaboratively within an internationally team; 

• Highly motivated, with excellent organisation skills and with strong attention to detail and quality; 

• Are willing to travel to attend secondments, training and academic events. 

Salary: €35,836.82 per annum plus mobility and family allowances as applicable and in line with the EC rules for Marie Sklodowska Curie Doctoral Networks 2023. 

Start date: This position is funded by Horizon Europe under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network programme and is available from 1st August 2024 to contract end date. 

Continuing Professional Development/Training: 

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE  for further information.  

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway   

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie    

To Apply:

For further information please see the BIOMEND Call for Applicants (download here ). For informal enquiries, please contact to Professor Ted Vaughan at [email protected]  

To apply for this post, applicants are asked for the following: 

• Completed application form (download here ) 

•  Motivation letter (indicating why you wish to conduct this research project and why you believe you would successfully be able to complete this project); 

• Curriculum Vitae; 

Applications should be sent, via e-mail (PDF only) to [email protected]   

Please put reference number University of Galway 008-24 in subject line of e-mail application. 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) on 31st January 2024 

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post. 

The University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer. 

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment 

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Candidates will be required to meet the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Researcher eligibility criteria (https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/ ), and criteria specific to this project. 

Specific Requirements

• At the time of application, applicants must not have resided in the (host country) Ireland for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the appointment; 

• A Master’s degree in Mechanical, Biomedical or Materials Engineering (or related disciplines) and excellent track record of academic achievement; 

• Previous experience in experimental characterisation/processing of materials desirable.  

• Have excellent communications skills in English both written and verbal; 

• Ability to and commitment to producing scientific outputs for publication in peer reviewed journals; 

• Evidence of ability to work independently and collaboratively within an internationally team; 

• Highly motivated, with excellent organisation skills and with strong attention to detail and quality; 

• Are willing to travel to attend secondments, training and academic events. 

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Internal Application form(s) needed
Advert 008-24.pdf
English
(349.54 KB – PDF)
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Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Galway

Country

Ireland

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Ireland

City

Galway

Website

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/

Street

University Road

Postal Code

H91 TK33

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED