EU MSCA Doctoral Candidate – School of Engineering – 106923 – Grade 7 Full-time

MSCA Doctoral Training Network Position

School of Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Fixed salary of £53,555

Grade: 7 (Spot)

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2029

Closing date: 9th February 2026

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.

Total shoulder replacement (TSR) is increasingly offered to younger, more active patients, yet implant loosening and migration remain leading causes of early revision. This project tackles this challenge head-on by creating the next generation of six-axis pre-clinical simulators that combine patient-specific bony anatomy with real-time micromotion and fracture sensing. The work will generate the mechanistic evidence needed to refine implant design, surgical technique and international test standards, ultimately reducing the reliance on lengthy, expensive clinical trials.

Key research questions include:

• Can we recreate the complex glenohumeral loading and motion patterns of reverse (rTSR) and anatomic (aTSR) shoulder arthroplasty in the laboratory?
• How do surgeon technique, implant design and individual patient bone quality interact to trigger early loosening or fracture?
• Which sensing technologies (eddy-current micromotion probes, acoustic emission arrays, embedded MEMS) provide the most sensitive, real-time indication of failure and can they be integrated into routine test standards?

As part of this project you will undertake secondments at KU Leuven, Rush University Medical Center and SME Simulator Solutions.

The Advanced Medical Simulation and Testing Laboratories at the University of Birmingham provide an ideal setting to address this gap. By integrating patient-derived kinematics, joint mechanics with advanced biomechanical/tribological methods and in-situ sensing, the project will generate the new methodologies that support the development of novel implant design. This work will establish a robust pipeline linking real in-vivo biomechanics to laboratory testing protocols, enabling safer, longer-lasting shoulder replacements and better patient outcomes.

As a MSCA 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.

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

Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required

Contribute to writing bids for research funding

Analyse and interpret data

Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding

Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc

Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline

Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods

Undertake management/administration arising from research

Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration

Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader

Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews

Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters

Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research

Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Essential:

• Not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (UK) for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the recruitment date.
• A MSc degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline. Applicants must not have a PhD.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently, as well as proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary research team
• Ability to build rapport quickly with patients and health care professionals
• Ability to write and present clearly and concisely

Desirable:

• Experience in movement analysis, musculoskeletal modelling (e.g., Opensim, AnyBody)
• Experience in advance mechanical testing of clinical products or related devices
• Experience in Tribology testing and surface analysis including GDT&T
• Experience in working with different sensor technologies as part of mechanical / tribological testing
• Emerging record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly