MSCA PhD position in Biomedical Engineering with focus on additive manufacturing of zinc alloys

Admission to Doctoral (PhD) Studies in the subject Engineering Sciences with specialization in Biomedical Engineering

at the Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University

Join us!

About the Department

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focuses, as well as a division that provides support and service. The department is an international place to work, and has around 230 active co-workers.

Read more about us here

About the division

The Division of Biomedical Engineering is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory. We perform research within the development and evaluation of new materials in interaction with biological systems to understand the underlying principles. For us, it is equally important to study the impact of materials on biological processes as well as the impact of biological processes on materials. Our ambition is to foster a dynamic teaching and research environment that is internationally recognised for its excellence in connecting basic research with clinical applications. 

The interdisciplinary research group BioMaterial Systems, BmS, is a research group of about 20 people, with a focus on the use of additive manufacturing (AM, or 3D writing) to develop new biomaterials and implants. The group gathers expertise in materials science, mechanics and biology. More information about the research group's profile can be found here.

The group participates in and leads several major collaborative projects, both nationally and internationally, funded by, among others, the Swedish Research Council, VINNOVA, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and the EU.

Project description

This project is part of the EU-funded Print4Life, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie doctoral network led by Prof. Persson, group leader of BmS. 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 Region Uppsala (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 two doctoral candidates based in this particular research group.

Zinc-based alloys are promising materials for biodegradable implants due to their intermediate biodegradation rates in comparison to other biodegradable alloys, which either degrade too slowly or too quickly. Indeed, Zn is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in bone health and regeneration, and also demonstrates antibacterial properties. Nevertheless, clinical implementation is hindered by poor mechanical properties.

In this project, the primary aim will be improving the material’s mechanical performance by using additive manufacturing to, among other outcomes, increase mechanical strength, restrict recrystallization and natural ageing phenomena, and maintain high corrosion resistance. This is made possible through powder bed fusion – laser beam (PBF-LB), which allows for rapid solidification and selective melting, and thus the potential for certain advantageous microstructures.

Project goal 1: Design and produce a Zn-based alloy powder having a composition is suitable for PBF-LB and applications in bone reconstruction;

Project goal 2: Demonstrate the material’s printability using a PBF-LB machine; and

Project goal 3: Evaluate mechanical and corrosion properties in relation to an application as a bone replacement material using mechanical testing and advanced corrosion models in physiological environments, establish microstructure-property relationships using advanced microscopy, including potentially in situ testing at neutron and synchrotron radiation sources.

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 Swedish company, and a research institute in Germany. Planned supervisors are Assoc. Prof. Francesco D’Elía and Assistant Supervisor Prof. Cecilia Persson.

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 PhD 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 and characterization in accordance with the above project goals, i.e.

• Design and production of printable powder, e.g. through our in-house atomization equipment, or in collaboration with one of the companies in the network
• Development of process parameters for powder bed fusion with laser of the above materials
• Characterization of additively manufactured material through, among other things, microscopy, mechanical tests and corrosion tests

Training in the various techniques is included in the doctoral education.

Requirements

Master’s degree in materials science, materials engineering, biomedical engineering, engineering physics, chemical engineering, or a related field, or other education considered equivalent to these qualifications.

Documented experience and knowledge in materials science.

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 I) Not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment, II) Not be enrolled in a doctoral program, and III) 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: 

• Additive manufacturing of metals
• Powder bed fusion with laser beam
• Scanning electron microscopy
• Mechanical testing Corrosion testing

Great emphasis is put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have a good ability to work towards set goals and you work focused to achieve them. In this, you have an ability to focus, even during periods of high workload. You have good communication skills, where through this quality you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic text.

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 March 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 made, 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, with salary 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.

For further information about the position, please contact: Cecilia Persson, +46-702489624, cecilia.persson@angstrom.uu.se , or Francesco D’Elia, +46-734809039, francesco.delia@angstrom.uu.se  

Please submit your application by 31st December 2025, UFV-PA 2025/3073

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