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Scaling-Up Functional 3D Printing of Devices and Structures 

Supervisors: Professor Richard Hague, Professor Chris Tuck, and Dr Geoffrey Rivers in the Faculty of Engineering. 

PhD project description

Inkjet printing allows multiple materials to be 3D-printed simultaneously, useful for printing functional devices. Discovering the interactions of these materials and how to leverage this advanced manufacturing process will open new opportunities: devices with variable mechanical and chemical properties; fully 3D-printed electronics; and devices with mechanical or electrical responses encoded into their structure. However, we don’t yet know how to design these complex printed parts and we are still developing new leading-edge materials to grant them new capabilities.

In this PhD studentship, you will develop the materials, methods, and designs necessary to 3D-print never-before created devices. You will develop new functional materials, and new engineering solutions only possible through multi-material additive manufacturing. 

Advantages

This studentship will take place in world-leading research laboratories of the Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) and advanced bio-printing (Additive BioFabrication Laboratory) and will provide experience with new and advanced 3D-printing equipment not available elsewhere. This project is aligned with the “Dialling up Performance for on Demand Manufacturing” Programme Grant, which will place the student within an active and supportive team of 9 other PhD students, 15 postdoctoral researchers, 18 world-leading academics from 5 universities, and 11 industry leaders in pharmaceutical manufacturing and additive manufacturing.

Candidate requirements

Candidates should have a background in one of: engineering, materials science, or chemistry, and be willing to learn new disciplines and innovate to achieve the project goals. Additionally, ideal candidates would also have interests in areas such as: 3D printing, materials sciences, or programming, and have an inquisitive spirit motivated to develop a world-leading expertise. This studentship will prepare you for routes into both industry and academia, and will equip you with skills in materials science, 3D printing, biotechnology, and engineering. 

Eligibility and how to apply

  • Due to funding application restrictions the position is available for UK candidates only
  • Project start date and duration: Flexible, likely start 1 October 2025 for 42 months
  • Candidates must possess or expect to obtain a 2:1 or first-class degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or related physical sciences related discipline
  • To apply: Send a covering letter, CV and academic transcripts by email to Geoffrey Rivers. Applications without academic transcripts will not be considered. Please refer to the project title in your application. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is appointed.

 

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