Funded PhD: 3D-printed electroconductive hydrogel implants for traumatic brain injury repair

• Principal investigator(s) Dr Ian Woods, Prof. Fergal O'Brien
• Research theme Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Are you interested in developing cutting-edge materials to tackle one of neuroscience’s biggest clinical challenges?

We are seeking candidates for a fully funded PhD position to join an ambitious, interdisciplinary effort in the Tissue Engineering Research Group at RCSI to create the first effective pro-regenerative therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI often results in life-altering motor and cognitive deficits, and no reparative treatments currently exist. The injury environment is complex: it prevents neuronal regrowth, promotes scarring, and disrupts normal electrical activity.

Electrical stimulation (ES) has shown promise in promoting neural repair – but current biomaterials are limited by poor conductivity, limited processability, and scarring side effects.

These micromeshes will be embedded in an soft hydrogel, allowing delivery into the brain through injection. Once delivered, the implants will deliver localised stimulation to injured neurons — aiming to restore lost function.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the interface of neural engineering, materials science, and regenerative medicine and involves collaborations with the Research Ireland Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Centre and the FutureNeuro Centre at Trinity College Dublin and RCSI, as well as the Biofrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado, with the potential to pursue an international secondment during the project.

Candidates should have a background in biomedical engineering, materials science, neuroscience or biomedical sciences and past experience in an academic or industry research environment is highly desirable.

Join us to push the frontier of neurorepair – and help shape the future of brain injury treatment.

This project is funded by the Research Ireland Pathway Grant.

Tenure: Four years

Start date: 1 September 2025

Specification

Minimum requirements

• Upper second class (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (e.g. Biomedical/Chemical Engineering, Neuroscience, Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Material Science).

Desirable candidate specifications

• Experience in neuroscience/molecular biology techniques is beneficial (such as electrophysiology, mammalian cell culture, rt-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, etc.)
• Experience in biofabrication and biomedical engineering technologies is highly desirable (3D-printing, electrospinning, hydrogel synthesis, etc.)

Application process

Please apply for the research project through the link below.

Applications must include:

• A completed application form
• English language requirements