Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%. In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career. Customised medical implants are widely used in healthcare for applications such as craniofacial reconstruction after trauma or tumour removal. These one-off implants are designed and manufactured for the individual patient’s needs. Often, the surgeon is given freedom to design the shape and attachment method of medical implants. However, few methods are available to support the surgeon with engineering analysis. For example, a titanium cranial plate that replaces a large section of the cranium may be fixed with any number of screws as deemed appropriate by the surgeon. Many other aspects of the design are also adjustable, including the shape of the plate and how it interfaces with the bone.