Research Associate/Fellow: Polymer Chemistry and Clinical Translation (Fixed term)

Area: Pharmacy

Location: University Park

Applications are invited for a Research Associate/Fellow to join the group of Morgan Alexander (polymeric biomaterials), working jointly with the groups of Frankie Rawson (bioelectronics) and Amir Ghaemmaghami (immune characterization), and collaborating clinically with Emma Wilmot (Diabetes and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences). The role holder will work on the project “Real-time wireless monitoring of inflammation for improved healthcare outcomes” funded by a UKRI Cross Research Council Responsive Mode award.

Medical devices make a significant contribution to healthcare, extending active lifestyles to maintain both health and quality of life. However, implanted devices often fail due to adverse inflammatory responses to the implant, leading to increased morbidity and mortality, costly revisions and extended hospital stays. We propose a multidisciplinary collaboration to address implant failure by developing a real-time monitoring approach to non-invasively observe the evolution of the body’s response to implanted devices. Our novel wireless sensing approach will use glucose sensors as a proof-of-concept, to address the clinical challenge of monitoring the human body’s response to current implant designs. This will aid the development of new implant designs to reduce medical device associated inflammation and infection, in combination with our current EPSRC Large Grant that is developing novel cell-instructive biomaterials. The proposed approach will enable ready monitoring of inflammatory responses to implanted materials in any clinic or research lab, without the need for advanced imaging equipment.

The successful candidate will work closely with other researchers on the project to form an efficient team with the investigators and clinicians. Partner researchers at the University of Nottingham and collaborators at Rice University (USA) and MIT (USA), along with industrial collaborators (Medtronic, France) will also be involved. This post offers a unique opportunity to lead new research and answer key questions on future advanced monitoring technologies and medical devices.

Applicants must be highly motivated and self-driven, with a PhD (or close to completion) in relevant subject area. The knowledge and experience required for the role are detailed in the individual role profile below.

This is a full-time post (36.25 hours) and is available immediately on a fixed term contract until 30th September 2026.  Job share arrangements may be considered.

Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Morgan Alexander (morgan.alexander@nottingham.ac.uk). Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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