Research Associate (Wound Healing)

Chronic wounds and their associated infections cause substantial mortality and morbidity, particularly in the elderly.  Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need to develop alternative strategies to resolve chronic wound infections. This is an Innovation Fund project in collaboration with an international wound dressing company Cerdak. The project will evaluate Cerdak wound dressings that contain inert, non-medicated ceramic spheres to attract and remove microbes from infected wounds, providing a novel alternative to traditional medicated wound dressings or local/systemic antibiotic intervention.

The RA will perform in vitro and ex-vivo host-pathogen and cell-based assays and wound metabolome analysis, together with detailed microscopic and molecular analysis of clinical samples.  They will work closely with clinical colleagues, including the collection and analysis of clinical samples from diabetic foot ulcer patients. The successful candidate will also gain valuable, real-world industry research exposure from the Cerdak wound dressing partner. The multidisciplinary nature of this project will allow the RA to gain a broad set of attractive research skills and therapeutic knowledge that is at the forefront of the field.

Candidates will hold, or be nearing completion, of a doctoral level degree (PhD) in Cell Biology, Immunology, Microbiology or related discipline and will have deep knowledge and expertise in skin regeneration, wound healing and chronic wound infections. The successful candidate will have previous experience of working with clinical human samples, together with extensive laboratory experience of human inflammatory cell culture, microbial culture, host-pathogen interaction assays, scanning electron and confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and seahorse analysis.  Experience in Western blotting, real-time PCR or sequencing analysis is also desirable in the ideal candidate.

Dr Ashworth undertakes clinical research in inflammation and infection, with a particular focus on diabetes and chronic wounds. The Department attracts high numbers of students on a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and provides research training programmes for both Doctorate and Masters-level postgraduate research students. The Department resides within the Faculty of Science and Engineering and benefits from spacious, modern, and well-equipped teaching and research facilities having benefitted from recent significant and on-going investment.

For an informal discussion regarding the requirements of the post or further information, please contact Dr Jason Ashworth (j.ashworth@mmu.ac.uk).

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

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