Research Associate in Engineering Biology and Microfluidics

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Research Associate in Engineering Biology and Microfluidics
Cardiff School of Engineering

We seek a highly motivated post-doctoral candidate to participate within a multi-laboratory, international, European consortium, funded by the EU EIC Horizon ‘Engineering Living Materials’ theme. The post is open for appointment from May (or earlier) 2024 with some flexibility for the right applicant. The laboratory-based research will involve the development of bio-hybrid materials that comprise living & artificial cells. These soft matter materials will be fabricated using multiphase microfluidics and 3D cell culture. The candidate must have a PhD or be submitted at the time of application, and should have a proven track record in 3 or more of the following subjects areas:- (1) cell-culture and cell-biology, or spheroid/organoid biology and culture, or tissue engineering, (2) multiphase droplet microfluidics, (3) synthetic biology, engineering biology or bioengineering, particularly cell encapsulation, (4) additive manufacturing or microfabrication, or project relevant modelling  techniques, (5) membrane science, along with a working knowledge of laboratory analytical techniques.

The candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team at the physical-life science interface, working in close collaboration with the wider research groups of Dr Li and Professor Barrow and EU project partners including Dr Castell in Cardiff School of Pharmacy, as well as wider consortium partners spanning industrial and academic disciplines. The candidate will contribute to the building of bio-hybrid materials comprised of both live and artificial cells, in the long-term, helping achieve chemically-mediated cellular activities, such that artificial cells may influence live-cell growth and function. This will be done by making droplet-based precision engineered artificial cells generated from advanced 3D-printed microfluidics. These artificial cells will be interfaced with live 3D cell culture, creating live bio-hybrids. The artificial cells will encapsulate functional (bio)chemistries, and have the ability to respond to environmental stimuli, to (semi)autonomously regulate the neighbouring living cells, as found in complex biological tissues, towards the development of next generation organoid technologies for medical applications.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), available immediately and is fixed term until 31st January 2027.

Salary:  £39,347 – £44.263 per annum (Grade 6). We do not anticipate appointing this post above point 2, £39,347 per annum.

Job ref: 18269 BR

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr Jin Li ([email protected]) or Professor David Barrow.

For further details about working at Cardiff School of Engineering please contact Bev Jones at [email protected]

Date advert posted: 6 March 2024

Closing date:  9 May 2024

The School of Engineering holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in science. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. For this vacancy we actively encourage women to apply. We will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share opportunities. 

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Research

• To conduct research within the field of engineering biology, which will include  tissue engineering , synthetic biology, artificial cells, lipid membranes, microfluidics, soft matter, various analytical methodologies and 3D printing.
• Within the European consortium of the Bio-HhOST project, the candidate will contribute to a multi-disciplinary team to explore the domain of bio-hybrid materials comprising artificial cells and their living cell counterparts, for the development of next generation 3D tissue models to study disease and drug screening and delivery.
• This will contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students. 
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
• To complete contracted deliverables for the stakeholder as scheduled.
• To attend and present at BioHhOST meetings, to prepare project reports and contribute to consortium meetings and discussions with project partners throughout Europe, as well as present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
• To participate in School research activities in the field of engineering synthetic biology.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria
Qualifications and Education

      9. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.

     10. Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement . Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance,  18269BR.  

Job Category

Academic - Research