Fluid Gel-Based Injectable Hydrogels for Osteoarthritis Pain and Inflammation

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. Current treatments such as intra-articular steroid injections provide only short-term relief and often require repeated administration, increasing the risk of joint damage and systemic side effects (1).

This PhD project will develop injectable fluid gel-based hydrogels designed to deliver sustained drug release within the joint. These materials combine injectability with structural stability, offering the potential for longer-lasting pain relief and improved joint protection.

This is a highly interdisciplinary PhD integrating biomaterials engineering, drug delivery, musculoskeletal biology, and patient-informed clinical research.

Research Aims
Identify patient and clinician priorities for joint injection therapies
Develop and optimise injectable hydrogel formulations
Characterise drug release under physiologically relevant joint conditions
Evaluate biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory effects in joint models

Project Structure
Systematic review of drug delivery systems in osteoarthritis
Qualitative research with patients and clinicians
Hydrogel development and rheological testing
Biological evaluation in joint cell and tissue models


Supervisory Team
Primary Supervisor: Dr Rowan Hardy
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/clinical-sciences/hardy-rowan
Co-Supervisor: Dr Richard Moakes
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/chemical-engineering/moakes-richard
Co-Supervisor: Dr Michael Mansfield
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/sportex/mansfield-michael

Training and Development

Training will include biomaterials and hydrogel design, rheology and drug delivery systems, cell and tissue biology techniques, and qualitative research methods.

Funding

This is a self-funded PhD opportunity. Applicants must have secured, or be in the process of securing, funding to cover tuition fees and living expenses. Supervisors will support strong candidates in identifying external funding opportunities.

Entry Requirements

A First or Upper Second-Class degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. biomedical science, engineering, physiotherapy, pharmacology.
A Master’s degree or equivalent research experience is highly desirable.

How to Apply

Please contact the supervisory team with a CV, brief statement of interest, and details of current or planned funding.
Applicants will be self-funded or will have typically applied for, or secured funding for their studies from their government, employer or associated charitable organisations.
Please note that applicants will need to submit the following documentation during the application process.

• Detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;
• Covering letter highlighting your research experience/capabilities and why you wish to undertake a PhD in the team;
• Names and addresses of two referees;
• Copies of your degree certificates with transcripts written in English;
• Evidence of your proficiency in the English language, if applicable. (IELTS at 6.5 average or equivalent)
• Evidence of scholarship application/funding or independent funding.

Funding notes:
This is a self-funded PhD opportunity. Applicants must have secured, or be in the process of securing, funding to cover tuition fees and living expenses. Supervisors will support strong candidates in identifying external funding opportunities.

References:
(1) Crastin A, Martin CS, Suresh S, Davies SP, Kearns D, Parlak A, Adcock H, Filer A, Jones SW, Raza K, Moakes RJ, Grover LM, Hardy RS. Structured Polymers Enable the Sustained Delivery of Glucocorticoids within the Intra-Articular Space. Adv Healthc Mater. 2025 Feb;14(4):e2403000. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202403000. Epub 2024 Dec 23. PMID: 39713898; PMCID: PMC11804841.