EU MSCA Doctoral DC- CUSTOM EU - School of Engineering - University

Organisation/Company University of Birmingham Department School of Engineering Research Field Engineering » Mechanical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 12 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - MSCA Reference Number 106922 Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number  Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

CUSTOM is an EU MSCA Doctoral Training Network connecting relevant academic and industrial expertise in emerging medical-device technologies across Europe and apply them to the problems of shoulder implants. Total shoulder replacements (TSRs) are now outpacing those of knees and hips, mainly due to the increasing use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSR), however roughly 10% of shoulder implants will fail within the first 10 years of service necessitating a complex revision procedure.

Many of the current problems (e.g. soft-tissue failures, implant loosening, infection) derive from a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to implants; CUSTOM plans to invert this approach, based on combining computational, patient-specific design and additive manufacturing to offer complex, custom designs and structures. The project also incorporates multi-functionality as well as blended experimental and in-silico testing to accelerate the path to certification.

This post will contribute to the creation and validation of a digital twin (with biological bone models) to assess and interrogate the issue of implant loosening and wear/abrasion for anatomical and reverse TSR systems. This includes the use of interfacial BEM or FEM friction and wear models, as well as biological bone ingrowth models, to predict primary and secondary fixation. The digital twin then allows a virtual search of the most important variables that affect loosening and migration and enables a subsequent targeted optimization of the implant shape and properties.

This can facilitate the certification process and market introduction of novel devices, reducing the burden on experimental preclinical testing. The role will include secondments with Zimmer Biomet to examine the use of in silico models in the context of the shoulder, and the USU Food and Drug Administration to understand the medical device development and regulatory pipeline.

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and validate a digital twin of the a/rTSR component system that can predict risk of loosening/abrasion.
• Integrate interfacial BEM/FEM (coupled via heterogenous multi-scale methods) friction/wear models (for modified load/torque transmission) and bone ingrowth models to predict primary and secondary fixation.
• Conduct in silico parameter searching of SIP variables contributing to the risk of implant loosening and migration.

As a Doctoral Candidate, your main duties will include:

• Delivering cutting edge research in the specified area
• Collaborating with researchers and partners across the CUSTOM network to develop innovative solutions
• Ensuring good reporting, record keeping and management practices internally and with stakeholders
• Delivering the outcomes guided by the research aims and objectives including the necessary training required to advance the project
• Disseminating research results through recognised forms of output such as publications conferences or public engagement

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of…