Doctoral Candidate

This PhD position is part of the European Doctoral Network “**SHIELD**” (_Strategies for Healing Implant-associated infections and Enhancing Longevity in Devices_). **SHIELD** offers an exciting opportunity for 16 early-career researchers to contribute to transforming the management of infections associated to medical implants. Focused on addressing the challenges posed by implant-associated infections (IAIs), SHIELD aims to deepen our understanding of IAI mechanisms and develop innovative antibacterial biomaterials to improve patient outcomes.

Join the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network SHIELD (Strategies for Healing Implant-associated infections and Enhancing Longevity in Devices) and contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at combating implant-associated infections.

**Objectives**

This PhD project aims to prepare and characterize nanostructured biofilm-repellent surfaces on titanium implants, to evaluate the clinical performance of biomimetic and personalized macroscopic designs for soft-tissue healing using _in vitro_ models of bacterial adhesion and fibroblast proliferation in collaboration with University of Gothenburg and _in-vitro_ dental polymicrobial biofilm model in collaboration with University of Oslo, and, finally, to evaluate these approaches using _in vivo _models through rigorous animal and/or clinical studies in collaboration with Hospices Civils de Lyon.

**Research activities include**:

- Characterization of nanostructured surfaces
- Simulating biofilm model/host interactions via a flow cell co-culture system with bacterias and fibroblasts
- Assessing the effectiveness of customised, anatomically shaped devices using _in vitro_ and/or animal models
- Develop and conduct an interventional study protocol on patients to compare the most effective nanostructured surface with a polished reference surface at individual implant sites.

**Training and mobility**:

- Research secondments at SHIELD partner institutions:

- University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
- University of Oslo (Norway)
- Hospices Civils de Lyon (France)
- Participation in specialised training workshops and international conferences.

**Required Education Level**
- Research Field: Medical sciences and Dentistry
- Education Level: Master's degree or equivalent

**Skills/Qualifications/Specific requirements**:

- Applicants must have completed a dentistry training (DDS) with a first experience in research
- Alternatively, applicants should hold a Master's degree or equivalent in microbiology, biotechnology or medical sciences or similar providing access to PhD programs and should have experience with experimental research and dentistry/implantology
- Applicants must have excellent proficiency in written and spoken English
- Applicants must have a good French language level (B2 level minimum)
- Strong motivation and ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international team

Background information on all DC positions and the SHIELD Doctoral Network is available on: