This project deals with - Preventing bacterial infections in hearing implants using biocompatible materials with surface modifications: a cell culture study.
This PhD position is part of the European Doctoral Network “SHIELD” (Strategies for Healing Implant-associated infections and Enhancing Longevity in Devices). SHIELD offers an exciting opportunity for 16 early-career researchers to contribute to transforming the management of infections associated to 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. Structured around three core scientific pillars—regenerative medicine, biomaterial science, and translational research models—SHIELD supports research on therapeutic strategies, novel antimicrobial materials, and experimental models that bridge laboratory discoveries to clinical applications. The program emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration across orthopaedics, otology, and odontology, integrating basic research with preclinical and clinical studies.
The application is closed /Application Deadline: 8 Nov 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
Learn more about this position at EURAXESS: Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position in biociences) / DC7 - SHIELD Doctoral Network
Research activities include:
•Design and fabricate nanoengineered surface coatings using techniques like electrodeposition and dip coating.
•Develop and characterize porous TiO₂ and metal oxide thin films.
•Establish and optimize 3D in vitro skin models for biological testing.
•Assess cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility, inflammation, and cell behavior.
•Evaluate antibacterial performance through co-cultures of skin cells and bacteria.
•Collaborate with international partners for cross-validation and advanced assays.
Training and mobility:
- Research secondments at SHIELD
- Goeteborgs Universitet (UGOT/Oticon), 2 months, studies on host cell-bacteria-biomaterial interactions + 1 week industry visit.
- The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of The University of Cambridge (UCAM), 1 month, learning different culture models.
- Universitá degli Studi di Torino (UNITO), 1 month, assessment of material hemocompatibility
- 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.
