3D-printed drug delivery “microbots” for personalised healthcare

Applications are invited for a PhD project within the Faculty of Engineering in the Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) at the University of Nottingham. You will work in world-class laboratory facilities in the CfAM engaging with an interdisciplinary team with expertise in 3D printing, bio-printing for medical applications, micro-robotics, and materials science.

PhD project description

The field of medical therapeutics has valuable applications for mobile devices for efficient drug delivery, called micro-robots. Recently, 3D printing has been used to manufacture such devices with functional features that enabled them to respond to environmental cues including temperature, pH, light, magnetic fields, and ultrasound. This project will develop the materials, methods, and designs necessary to 3D-print the next generation of medical micro-robots targeting drug delivery exploiting combinations of functions to achieve complex and customisable micro-robots to provide personalised healthcare solutions. 

Benefits to you 

This studentship will take place in world-leading research laboratories 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 you within an active and supportive team of nine other PhD students, 15 postdoctoral researchers, 18 world-leading academics from five universities, and 11 industry leaders in pharmaceutical manufacturing and additive manufacturing.

Candidate requirements

Candidates must possess or expect to obtain, a 2:1 or first-class degree in physical sciences disciplines - engineering, chemistry, physics, etc.

You should have a background in one of engineering, materials science, 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 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 funding

This studentship is open to UK/home and international candidates. 

After a suitable candidate is found, funding is sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process. This will cover home tuition fees and UKRI stipend.

PhD start date: October 2026 for 42 months

How to apply

Application deadline: 9 March 2026

To apply, email a covering letter, CV and academic transcripts to Geoffrey Rivers at Geoffrey.Rivers@nottingham.ac.uk. 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.