Research Assistant/Associate in Biological Grafts for Haemodialysis Vascular Access (Fixed Term)

Department/Location: Department of Engineering, Central Cambridge, UK 

A position exists for a Research Assistant/Associate in the Department of Engineering to work on a 3-year Translational Award funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The project focuses on developing next generation, off-the-shelf biological grafts to replace synthetic haemodialysis grafts. The project will provide pilot data in a large animal model in a vascular access setting (artery-to-vein). The work will be carried out in collaboration with different departments across University of Cambridge (Surgery, Medicine, Queen's Veterinary School, Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute), and Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth Hospitals. BHF Translational Awards are milestone-driven grants. 

The appointee will fabricate vascular grafts, perform ex vivo testing to de-risk and prime the design of large animal studies. In particular, the appointee will assess graft compliance, thrombogenicity, and have the ability to support dialysis flow rates under physiologic pressure when the graft is anastomosed to native vessels. The appointee will also be involved in evaluating graft durability (wall material) and functionality (patency, neointima formation, re-endothelialisation, cell repopulation, immune and inflammatory response) following large animal studies. 

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded. 

Salary Ranges:

Research Assistant: £32,296-£34,866 

Research Associate: £36,924- £45,163 

The post holder will be located in Central Cambridge Cambridgeshire, UK.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

Please ensure that you upload:

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A covering letter stating how your experience meets the person profile requirements and expertise for the role and preferred start date
• A copy of your degree(s) certificate(s) along with a full transcript 

If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date. 

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Athina Markaki (am253@cam.ac.uk) for queries of a technical nature related to the role and Ms Claire Whitaker (div-c@eng.cam.ac.uk) for queries related to the application process.

Please quote reference NM44827 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Advert information