Positions

PhD studentships

Applications are invited for a China Scholarship Council funded studentship at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

If you are interested, please apply by following the instructions on: https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/research/studentships/684 by the deadline of 28th January 2026.

For further information, please contact Prof. Steffi Krause (s.krause@qmul.ac.uk).

Project Title: Development of sensor materials for 3D flow shear sensing to investigate patterns of cell colonisation within complex porous matrices

Supervisors: Steffi Krause (s.krause@qmul.ac.uk), Karin Hing, Joe Briscoe, Stefaan Verbruggen

Local flow velocities are difficult to monitor and model in complex porous structures. It is therefore challenging to determine how living cell are affected by flow in complex porous matrices such as bone. We have recently carried out preliminary experiments that show the feasibility of mapping local flow velocities on a sensor surface using photoelectrochemical imaging (PEI).

We are inviting applications for an exciting PhD project to develop technology for 3D mapping of fluid flow within porous constructs using PEI and then study the effect of local flow velocities on cell growth. The project would comprise the following steps:

  1. Development of sensor materials that can sense different components of forces exerted by fluid flow, including shear and pressure; validation of these measurements on a flat surface in a flow channel.
  2. 3D printing of simple pore structures, representative of those found in bone, and their coating with the flow sensitive materials; 3D mapping of flow and development of models that precisely predict the measured flow shear and pressure.
  3. Study the effect of flow shear and pressure on the pattern of cell proliferation and colonisation in the 3D printed pore structures.

The findings of this study will be useful for the development of in-vitro models that mimic physiological conditions for drug testing and the development of biomaterials for bone repair.

Applicants are expected to have a first or upper second-class degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or other related disciplines. Experience in electrochemistry, computational modelling or cell biology would be advantageous, but not necessary as training will be provided in these areas.

Postdoc positions

None at the moment.

Marie-Curie Fellowship

I am happy to support a joint application for a Marie-Curie Fellowship if you are interested in our research.

For further information please contact Steffi Krause