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.
By 2060, the demand of joint replacements is projected to increase by almost 40% from 2018 levels. Porous implants made by additive manufacturing technology (AMT) has immense potential for further improvement in performance, as AMT enables bespoke design to enhance mechanical properties and improve biological outcomes like bone ingrowth. In turn, bone ingrowth is dependent, among other factors, on the change in mechanical behaviour as bone grows into the porous structure. This project aims to characterise the mechanical properties of the bone-implant at different stages of bone ingrowth. These results will be used to improve implant designs, as part of a UKRI funded project that aims to deliver novel validated computational models to predict bone ingrowth in porous orthopaedic implants.
The ideal candidate will have an excellent PhD in mechanical engineering, experimental biomechanics, or a related discipline, possess a solid knowledge of solid mechanics, and have a strong experience in high resolution imaging and mechanical testing of bone, biomaterials or composites. The successful Research Associate will join the research groups of Dr Vee San Cheong, Professor Enrico Dall'Ara, as part of the Integrated Musculoskeletal Biomechanics (IMSB) group within the INSIGNEO Institute, which has an international and interdisciplinary profile and a strong commitment to clinical translation. The Research Associate will actively participate in the IMSB group and INSIGNEO activities, sustain and strengthen collaboration within relevant INSIGNEO research groups and beyond, and commit to INSIGNEO's mission to produce high quality cutting-edge research.
Main duties and responsibilities
* Lead the biomechanical characterization of bone-implant using in situ mechanical testing, Digital Volume Correlation and nanoindentation.
* Lead the microstructural assessment of bone tissues.
* Compare the difference in mechanical behaviour between as-manufactured and as-designed implants.
* Effectively work with colleagues to understand the stress distribution at the bone-implant interface through finite element analysis.
* Work collaboratively with other colleagues to validate finite element models based on in situ mechanical testing data.
* Follow best practices in experimental work, imaging and effective management of research data.
* Self-organise time to ensure the achievement of the objectives agreed with the line manager and to continue to develop own knowledge in the domain of research.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the relevant literature.
* Effectively collaborate with colleagues, co-workers, clinicians, industrial partners, etc. to achieve the agreed objectives.
* Participate in patient and public involvement and engagement activities.
* Proactively seek to develop further collaboration opportunities arising from own work.
* Be actively engaged and participate to all meetings and activities in the collaborative projects in which the Integrated Musculoskeletal Biomechanics (IMSB) group is involved.
* Write papers that are published in high quality internationally peer-reviewed journals.
* Present work at national and international conferences.
* Write technical reports both for internal monitoring and for reporting to funding agencies.
* Mentor junior colleagues and PhD students and supervise MEng/MSc dissertation research.
* Interact with other researchers within the School, the INSIGNEO Institute, the rest of the University and the institutions of our partners in collaborative projects.
* As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
* 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
Essential or desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
A PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or Biomechanics or relevant subject area (e.g. materials engineering with mechanical focus)
Essential
Application
Knowledge of and experience with mechanical testing and analysis of bone or biomaterials or composites.
Essential
Application/Interview
Knowledge of and experience in microCT imaging.
Essential
Application/Interview
Programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python).
Essential
Application/Interview
Proven track record in publishing papers in quality journals under supervision, both during PhD and postdoctoral positions (if any).
Essential
Application
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex or technical information effectively to a range of audiences.
Essential
Application/Interview
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to self-manage workload to deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy and an eye for detail.
Essential
Application/Interview
Experience of working as a team member to collaborate, co-operate and participate with others to achieve common objectives and to share experience and ideas.
Essential
Application/Interview
Ability to work independently, managing a complex research project from experimental design through to completion and dissemination.
Essential
Application/Interview
Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving.
Essential
Solid understanding of bone mechanics.
Desirable
Application/Interview
Experience with in situ mechanical testing and digital volume correlation.
Desirable
Further Information
Grade
7
Salary
£38,784 - £41,064
Work arrangement
Full-time
Duration
15 Jan 2026 - 14 Jan 2028 (24 months, with possibility of extension)
Line manager
Dr Vee San Cheong
Direct reports
N/A
Our website
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mac/research/groups/biomechanics,
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/insigneo
For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Vee San Cheong, Lecturer in Biomechanics and UKRI Future Leader Fellow: on v.cheong@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in early or mid December 2025. This will consist of an interview with a presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by the first week of December. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact mac-operations@sheffield.ac.uk.
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 41days 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.
* A range of generous family-friendly policies
o paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
o support for those going through the menopause
o paid time off and support for fertility treatment
o 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 Employer. 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.
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