The overall purpose of this research project is to identify biomarkers and develop effective antimicrobial strategies to prevent infection and inflammation related to hearing implants.
This PhD project aims to identify determinants of IAI associated with hearing implants by investigating associations between proteomics, microbial profile and clinical outcome by analysing a large pool of banked biosamples.
The application is closed /Application Deadline 16 Oct 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
Learn more about this position at EURAWESS: Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position in Medical Sciences - Biomaterials) at University of Birmingham/ DC6 - SHIELD Doctoral Network
Research activities include:
- Identifying biomarkers (cellular and microbial) determining tissue health following implantation
- Developing and validating non-invasive sampling and analytical methods which can be applied both in clinical observation (studies and routine care) and in an innovative pathway for personalised preventative care.
- Evaluating the effect of moving treatment from the operating room to a treatment room using a prospective sampling study (proteomics, microbiome, clinical outcome data).
- Investigating associations between surgical technique, treatment location and patient factors.
- Optimisation of treatment of adverse soft tissue reactions by refining postoperative maintenance strategies aiming to develop tailored protocols for the prevention of IAI.
- The person taking on the project will need to work closely with the clinical teams and the patients and to do laboratory and computer-based work. A clinical qualification is not a requirement.
Training and mobility:
The training objective of the doctoral network is to equip young researchers with scientific, technical, and transferable skills to enhance their employability in academia or industry. Network-wide Training Events will provide complementary knowledge, multidisciplinary experience, and transferable skills: ethics & research integrity, scientific writing, communication & dissemination, leadership, project management, team skills & Networking, IPR & regulatory affairs for medical device certification, business entrepreneurship & innovation, career planning, opportunities, job hunting & interview skills, and grant applications. Secondments at host institutions in the field of IAIs will allow DCs to move between sectors (industry-academia-hospital) and gain valuable experience. Regarding the scientific skills, the PhD student will engage in clinical trials in Ear Nose and Throat and gain experience in translational research, focusing on enhancing the clinical outcome of BCHI by identifying biomarkers associated with infection/inflammation. The PhD student will have a Personal Career Development Plan (PDCP) tailored to the student’s needs, detailing the study program, training, research project, secondments, and publication strategies. It will be reviewed every six months.
- Research secondments at SHIELD partner institutions:
- University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
- Oticon Medical AB (Sweden)
Participation in specialised training workshops and international conferences.
This PhD position is part of the European Doctoral Network “SHIELD” (Strategies for Healing Implant-associated infections and Enhancing Longevity in Devices), led by the University of Gothenburg.
SHIELD offers an exciting opportunity for 16 early-career researchers to contribute to transforming the management of infections associated with medical implants. Focused on addressing the challenges posed by implant-associated infections (IAIs), SHIELD aims to deepen our understanding of IAI mechanisms and develop innovative antibacterial biomaterials to improve patient outcomes.
