PhD Studentship: Designing Photocurable Resins for High-Resolution DLP Printing of Ultrasoft Hydrogels

Overview

This fully funded PhD studentship is supported by the EPSRC and based at the University of Nottingham. The project focuses on designing photocurable resins for high-resolution digital light processing printing of ultrasoft hydrogels. Biological tissues such as the brain and liver possess very low moduli, but current digital light processing printable hydrogels are frequently much stiffer than target tissues due to overcuring and post-printing swelling. The selected student will develop new resin formulations at the intersection of polymer chemistry and additive manufacturing by creating reactive crosslinkers and establishing connections between resin chemistry, print fidelity, mechanical properties, and swelling behaviour. The start date is October 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Who can apply

Candidates are required to have a background in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, alongside a strong interest in sustainable chemistry and pharmaceutical formulation. International applicants are eligible to apply and can receive a University of Nottingham Fee Difference scholarship to cover the difference between Home and International fee rates if successful. Candidates whose first language is not English must satisfy the minimum English language requirements of an IELTS score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5.

What you get

The award covers Home tuition fees and supplies an annual stipend of £21,805 for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. Successful candidates will also receive supervision from experts in polymer chemistry and three-dimensional printing, gaining training in synthesis, photopolymerisation, mechanical characterisation, and digital light processing printing.

Requirements

Applicants must hold or expect to obtain at least a 2:1 Honours degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. While not strictly mandatory, prior experience in polymer synthesis or three-dimensional printing is considered beneficial. Funding is provided via an EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award and requires candidates to undergo a competitive Faculty of Science-level review once identified, meaning funding is subject to this review process and not guaranteed.

How to apply

Applicants should prepare a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and academic transcripts. Formal submissions must be sent via email to Dr Vincenzo Taresco and through the University of Nottingham online application system by choosing Chemistry as the School and listing Dr Vincenzo Taresco as the supervisor. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Vincenzo Taresco and Dr Yinfeng He prior to applying.

Key dates

The application deadline is 10 December 2026. Funding outcomes will be communicated in March 2027. The project start date is October 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.