EU MSCA doctoral (PhD) position in Medical Sciences with focus on additive manufacturing (3D-printing)

Admission to Doctoral (PhD) Studies in the subject Medical Sciences at Orthopedics and Hand Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University.

Join us!

About the Department

The Department of Surgical Sciences (IKV) is part of the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy. IKV has about 160 employees and 230 registered doctoral (third cycle) students, the majority of which are clinically active doctors and nurses. The yearly turnover is SEK 152 million. Research is conducted at the department, as well as teaching in the first, second and third cycles. Teaching is, among other areas, conducted within the education programmes for doctors, nurses and specialty nurses. Research is conducted in research groups organised according to surgical specialties and closely aligned subject areas, such as anaesthesia and intensive care and radiology. A great deal of research is conducted in cooperation between separate research groups within IKV and other departments at Uppsala University, as well as other universities in Sweden and the rest of the world. Many of the department's employees have combined positions at the University Hospital.

Read more about us here

Description of research area

The overall goal of the research group of ”Orthopaedics and Hand Surgery” is to continuously improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients affected by orthopedic injuries and diseases, as well as to systematically evaluate new treatment method. We conduct research across a broad range of areas, including trauma, degenerative disease, pediatric orthopedics, and hand surgery. Depending on the research question, we employ a wide variety of methods—from translational in vitro-studies using additively manufactured materials and cultured cells, to clinical research including large-scale randomized trials.

Our translational research is based at “OrthoLab”, where we focus on developing materials for clinical use in cases with bone loss due to injury or disease. Examples include bone defects following open fractures or in revision arthroplasty. A significant part of our work is conducted in close collaboration with the Departments of Chemistry and Materials Sciences and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University.

Project description

This project is part of the EU-funded “Print4Life” Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) doctoral network led by Prof. Persson, group leader at Uppsala University. This network has 8 doctoral candidate host institutions: Uppsala University, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Dublin City University, Universidade do Minho, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon Gmbh, Hydrumedical SA, Brinter AM Technologues oy, ETH Zürich; and 6 additional partners: FHNW, PBC Ltd, XapHe, Quintus Technologies AB, CAU ZU Kiel and (Uppsala University Hospital). The network aims to provide Advanced Research Training for Additive Manufacturing of the Biomaterials and Tissues of the Future. You will be one of 17 doctoral students across the entire network, and one of four doctoral candidates based in Uppsala University.

The primary objective of this project is to advance the field of bone tissue engineering by developing and characterizing artificial bone scaffolds using state-of-the-art 3D printing technology and advanced biomaterial inks. Scaffolds created from extracellular matrix (ECM)-based hydrogels or from porous titanium will be fabricated using additive manufacturing and designed to incorporate antimicrobial agents to reduce the risk of infection. The influence of the physical and chemical properties of these scaffolds on osteogenic cell behaviour will be systematically investigated. This approach is expected to provide insights into scaffold–cell interactions and contribute to the development of clinically relevant bone substitutes.

Project goals

Goal 1: Develop and optimize biomaterial inks replicating the composition of natural bone, incorporating calcium phosphates, and evaluate their rheological properties for suitability in 3D printing.

Goal 2: Demonstrate the printability of the biomaterial inks and fabricate anatomically relevant scaffold structures using additive manufacturing; enhance mechanical properties through crosslinking or other mechanical reinforcement strategies.

Goal 3: Introduce antimicrobial properties into scaffolds by incorporating agents such as antibiotics or antimicrobial peptides; evaluate biological performance by monitoring osteogenic cell behaviour and assessing bacterial growth.

Part of the research will be conducted in collaboration with other doctoral students, other academic institutions, and industry. The study period is planned to include short research stays at a Finnish company and a university in Spain. Main supervisor will be Prof. Nils Hailer (Uppsala University), with co-supervisors Assoc. Prof. Paul O’Callaghan (Uppsala University), Dr. Anna Diez Escudero (Polytechnic University of Catalonia), and Dr. Estefanía Echeverri (Uppsala University).

Duties

The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Being a doctoral student means independently running projects within a specific subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies. However, you work independently to a great amount, e.g. by working in a laboratory environment and writing articles for journals and for results for your doctoral thesis. Usually, some form of half-time seminar is included after about half of the doctoral studies.

When you are admitted to doctoral studies, you are offered employment as a doctoral student. A position as a doctoral student at Uppsala University corresponds to full-time PhD education for four years.

Read more about being a doctoral student here.

Main tasks in this project include responsibility for material development, 3D printing, and scaffold characterization in accordance with the project goals, i.e.:

• Development and optimization of biomaterial inks for direct ink writing, including rheological characterization for printability
• Fabrication of anatomically relevant scaffold structures using extrusion-based 3D printing
• Application of crosslinking and post-processing treatments to enhance mechanical properties and structural properties Incorporation of antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics or antimicrobial peptides into the scaffolds
• Evaluation of scaffold performance with a focus on the mechanical, biological, antibacterial and degradation properties.

Training in the relevant techniques and methods will be provided as part of the doctoral education.

Requirements

Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, materials science, biotechnology, biological, or medical sciences or a related field, or other education considered equivalent to these qualifications. Experience or strong interest in biomaterials, tissue engineering, or additive manufacturing.

We require good oral and written skills in English.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

To be eligible as a MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) doctoral candidate, you must not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. You must be enrolled in a doctoral program. You must also comply with a mobility rule requiring you to not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country (Sweden) for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment (i.e. this includes online activities).

Additional qualifications

It is advantageous to have documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• Extrusion-based or other additive manufacturing techniques
• Synthesis of bioprinting materials, including hydrogels
• Rheological and/or mechanical material characterization
• Physicochemical material characterization using XRD, EDX or white light interferometry
• Microscopy and image analysis (e.g., SEM, fluorescence microscopy)
• Antimicrobial testing or microbiology techniques
• Cell biology and molecular biology techniques (e.g., qPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry)

Great emphasis is put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You communicate effectively and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary research environment. You are also highly motivated to engage in a European research network. In addition, you possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and have the ability to work toward defined goals while maintaining focus during periods of high workload. You demonstrate good skills in academic writing and in presenting scientific results in English.

Your application must include

• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself, why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position. 
• CV (max 2 pages) 
• A certified copy of your master's degree and your course grades. 
• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to refer to. 
• Names and contact details of at least two contact persons who have accepted to be references for you, with any additional letters of recommendation. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent. 

The application should be written in English. We will continuously read applications and call for interviews. 

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1st April 2026 or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

PhD students employed through the Marie Sklodowska Curie program will receive a salary in accordance with the Marie Curie regulations for doctoral candidates for the time of their fellowship (36 months). This means that gross salary (i.e. after deduction of employer’s taxes but including employee’s taxes) is approx. (pending exchange rates) 37 000 SEK / month (without family allowance). Employee’s national and local taxes will be deducted from this gross salary before payment of the net salary to the doctoral candidate.  At the end of the project an additional payment of salary may be done, if the average exchange rate during the entire project is higher than the estimated exchange rate.

For the remaining time of the studies, you will be employed on a regular PhD contract, according to the agreed salary ladder for PhD students. Follow this link to read more about financing for PhD students, and a local collective agreement for salaries for Phd students:

 https://www.uu.se/en/staff/gateway/doctoral-studies/working-and-employment-conditions-for-doctoral-students/forms-of-study-funding/doctoral-studentship

For further information about the position, please contact: Nils Hailer, nils.hailer@uu.se

Please submit your application by 31st December 2025, UFV-PA 2025/3159.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.