We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join a multidisciplinary team of engineers, clinicians and microbiologists developing novel therapies for treating bacterial infections in wounds using ultrasound. You will be based at the Botnar Research Centre within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences. Using clinically approved materials and equipment you will develop a patch and apparatus for delivering ultrasound therapy to infected tissue and monitoring the biological response.
As a Postdoctoral Research Assistant, you will manage your own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, interaction with a larger research programme, and to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines. You will adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols as well as contribute ideas for designing and refining clinical study protocols. You will also collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles, and occasionally present papers and posters.
You will hold a PhD/DPhil (or near completion) in a relevant area of research, such as bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biophysics, biotechnology, biomedical science, biomechanics, mechanical engineering (with biomechanics), bioacoustics, or other related area. You must have experience in using ultrasound to stimulate and/or manipulate biological cells for drug delivery, tissue repair, tissue engineering, or other biomedical application. You will also have experience in the fabrication, handling and characterisation of cavitation nuclei for promoting therapeutic effects such as drug delivery and tissue ablation (including acquisition and analysis of acoustic emissions data). Experience in pharmaceutical formulation and the use of optical and fluorescence microscopy for the imaging of biological cells and tissue is essential.
Experience in the culturing of bacterial cells and in basic cellular or tissue-level assays, and in the design and/or implementation of clinical studies is desirable.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 12 months.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 28 March 2025. Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online application.