Research Associate in Engineering Biology & Microfluidics

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.

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]

Closing date:  Wednesday, 3 April 2024

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.

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