Research Fellow - School of Chemical Engineering

Position Details

School of Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £31,406 to £40,927, with potential progression once in post to £43,434, pro rata for part-time

Part-time, 60% FTE (3 days per week)

Fixed-term for up to 7 months

Closing Date: 29 May 2022

Job Summary

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the research stream and be required to oversee junior staff involved in the development of new nanotechnologies and protocols by which we can control cell behaviour in patients undergoing treatment for multiple conditions. Specifically, we aim to expand and develop a breakthrough platform technology using magnetic particle tagging which will allow us to direct cells for therapeutic purposes. Specifically,

• To identify mechano-receptor binding sites on stem and mature cells which will enable remote activation of signalling pathways via magnetic fields
• To design and test magnetic particles with tailored tagging strategies using single cell through 3D human models to in vivo animal models

Successful approaches will be translated to relevant small and large animal models to demonstrate functional repair as a result of a given approach.

Further, the candidate will be required to work closely with additional Research Fellows and assist in the supervision of PhD students within the lab of Professor Alicia El Haj.

Liaison with Pharmaceutical and other industrial collaborators will be part of the role and helping to drive commercialisation of any potential products from the programme.

Main Duties

• To deliver and assist in the formulation of research objectives.
• To contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme.
• To contribute and oversee the collaborations with external collaborators.
• Analysing and interpreting research findings and results.
• To apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• To disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, etc.
• To undertake management/administration arising from research and update and report on milestones and deliverables related to the project.
• To contribute if required to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
• To contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University under the supervision of the project leader.
• To collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• To present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience Required

Essential

• Hold, or be close to completing a PhD in a relevant discipline and, a strong interest in multidisciplinary science.
• First degree in an engineering discipline, physical sciences or biomedical sciences.
• High level analytical capability and experience of one of the following skills: cell culture, magnetic nanoparticles and their use, working knowledge of orthopaedic animal models and /or biomaterial design and manufacture
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of stakeholders, including clinical and industrial partners.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• The ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Desirable

• Some level of experience of working with 3D models for tissue engineering.
• Some level of knowledge and/or experience of large and small animal orthopaedic animal models.
• Experience in working with magnetic nanoparticles for targeting, tracking and activation.
• Knowledge and experience in cell and 3D imaging modalities.
• Experience of supervising PhD or PG project students.
• Experience in writing and disseminating results for scientific communities

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof Alicia El-Haj; a.elhaj@bham.ac.uk

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.