Research Associate in Biomaterials and Implant Immunology

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working / hybrid options

Staff networks

Job summary

The University of Sheffield’s School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering invites applications for a fixed-term, full-time research post. The role focuses on explanted polymeric medical devices and coordinating a framework for analyses of such samples.

You will develop workflows for explanted devices and matched tissues, investigate tissue and immune responses, and support integration of findings with an explant registry alongside the PI and collaborators.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research experience in biomaterials, tissue engineering, bioengineering, cell biology, regenerative medicine or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to delivery of the research programme focusing on implant-tissue and immune interactions.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Tissue-based experimental research

Biomaterials / implants knowledge

Immunology / inflammation

Scientific communication

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD or equivalent research experience

Tools

Histology

Immunostaining

Microscopy

ELISA

Cytokine analysis

Flow cytometry

Job description

Overview

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Are you completing, or have you completed, a PhD in biomaterials, tissue engineering, cell biology, regenerative medicine or a related area, with an interest in improving the safety of implantable medical devices? We have an exciting opportunity to join a research programme establishing a coordinated framework for the analysis of explanted polymeric medical devices.

You will contribute to research investigating how implant degradation, tissue responses and patient‑specific factors combine to drive complications associated with specific medical devices. You will help establish robust experimental and sample‑handling workflows for explanted devices and matched biological samples, develop and establish laboratory methods to characterise tissue and immune responses, and support the integration of research findings within a developing explant research programme.

Working within the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, you will collaborate with academic, clinical, regulatory and patient partners, including Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the University of Cambridge. You will contribute to publications, presentations and project outputs with direct relevance to patient safety and post‑market device surveillance.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop multidisciplinary expertise at the interface of biomaterials, implant immunology, women's health and translational healthcare research, while contributing to a programme designed to deliver lasting clinical and regulatory impact.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of the research programme investigating the causes and consequences of failure of polymeric implantable medical devices, with a particular focus on implant‑tissue and immune interactions.
• Develop, optimise and document experimental and sample‑handling workflows for explanted medical devices and matched biological samples, including periprosthetic tissues and, where available, peri‑implant aspirates.
• Undertake laboratory‑based research using relevant cell and tissue models, including mammalian cell culture and human tissue‑based approaches, to investigate biological responses to implant materials and degradation products.
• Develop and apply appropriate methods for characterising tissue and immune responses, which may include histological assessment, immunostaining, microscopy and relevant cellular or molecular assays.
• Support the integration of experimental findings with implant characterisation and patient‑level clinical information within the developing explant registry, working closely with the Principal Investigator (Dr Nicholas Farr) and project collaborators.
• Analyse, interpret and quality‑assure experimental data, maintaining accurate, reproducible research records and contributing to the development of standard operating procedures and research protocols.
• Work collaboratively with academic, clinical and regulatory partners.
• Contribute to the preparation of high‑quality research outputs, including peer‑reviewed publications, conference presentations, reports and materials for clinical, regulatory and public audiences.
• Ensure research is conducted in accordance with relevant ethical, health and safety, human tissue, data protection and research governance requirements, and contribute to appropriate documentation and approvals.
• Support the wider activities of the research group, including sharing expertise, contributing to the training or supervision of students and researchers where appropriate, and supporting an inclusive and collaborative research environment.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

• A PhD, or equivalent research experience, in biomaterials, tissue engineering, bioengineering, cell biology, regenerative medicine, immunology or a closely related discipline. (Essential, Application)
• Substantial practical experience in mammalian cell culture and/or human tissue‑based experimental research. (Essential, Application/interview)
• Experience of developing physiologically relevant in‑vitro models, experimental systems or research protocols, including optimisation and troubleshooting. (Essential, Application/interview)
• Research experience relevant to biomaterials, implantable medical devices, tissue responses, inflammation, macrophage biology or regenerative medicine. (Essential, Application/interview)
• Experience of working with human biological samples and an understanding of relevant ethical, HTA, governance and health and safety requirements. (Essential, Application/interview)
• Experience of materials or biomaterials testing, characterisation and analysis, including the interpretation of material performance, degradation and/or biological response data. (Essential, Application/interview)
• Ability to plan and conduct research independently, analyse and interpret experimental data, and maintain accurate and reproducible research records. (Essential, Application/interview)
• Evidence of effective scientific communication through peer‑reviewed publications, conference presentations, reports or related outputs. (Essential, Application/interview)
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary research teams and communicate with academic, clinical and other external collaborators. (Essential, Application/interview)
• Experience of supporting or supervising students, researchers or laboratory users, including sharing technical expertise and promoting good laboratory practice. (Desirable, Application/interview)
• Experience of laboratory approaches relevant to tissue or immune‑response characterisation, such as histology, immunostaining, microscopy, ELISA, cytokine analysis or flow cytometry. (Desirable, Application/interview)

Further Information

• Grade: 7
• Salary: £39,560 - £41,885 per annum
• Work arrangement: Full‑time
• Duration: Fixed‑term for 12 months to start as soon as possible, with potential for extension subject to funding and project requirements
• Line manager: Principal Investigator: Dr Nicholas T.H. Farr
• Right to work in the UK: If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK visa and immigration website.
• Our website: School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering: sheffield.ac.uk/cmbe
• For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Nicholas Farr, Principal Investigator: [e-mail].

Next steps in the recruitment process

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 23rd November 2026. If you are selected, the interview will consist of an interview and a short research presentation. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail].

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.