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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.

Overview

The Research Associate will be employed using funds from a Royce Industrial Collaboration Program Round 6 Grant entitled ‘PHA based Nerve Guidance Conduits for Peripheral Nerve Repair’. The project will involve the production of Polyhydroxyalkanoate -based Nerve Guidance conduits (NGCs) used for the repair of peripheral nerves post injury.NGCs are tubular scaffolds which are sutured within the gap of the two broken ends of an injured nerve, providing guidance to the broken nerves to regenerate and grow. 

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are sustainable, biocompatible polymers, produced using bacterial fermentation, they do not create microplastics, degrade in a controlled manner using surface degradation and their degradation products are natural metabolites and hence nonimmunogenic in nature. Hence, PHA-based NGCs, have the advantages of sustainability, biocompatibility and controlled degradation and excellent suturability, properties that are not prevalent or are compromised amongst the current NGCs. NGCs will be produced using melt extrusion of PHA based blends and will be characterised in depth for chemical, thermal , mechanical properties, degradation rates and biocompatibility. In addition, NAMSA will develop a Biological Evaluation Program with respect to the PHA-based conduits which will be implemented in the future, facilitating future preclinical large animal studies, clinical trials and regulatory approval of the NGCs. 

We will utilise a novel, highly elastic and adhesive medium chain length Polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) along with a short chain length PHA (scl-PHA) for enhanced processability.The bioprocess used for the production of the PHAs is normally a fed batch fermentation. This production is currently being optimised at a 30L scale in Professor Ipsita Roy’s laboratory. The Research Associate will be required to carry out optimisation of the bioprocess at 7L, 15L scale and scale up the production of the chosen polymer to at least 30L fermentations. The PHAs will then be used for production of blends and finally extruded to form NGCs by PHAsT Ltd., a spin out from the RoyLab.

The applicant will join an internationally renowned research group in natural biobased polymers and their use in medical and eco-friendly applications led by Professor Ipsita Roy at the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sheffield.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Responsible for the optimisation of production of mcl-PHA and scl-PHA using a established carbon sources up to 30L working volume. 

• Responsible for the isolation, purification, and characterisation of the mcl-PHA and the scl-PHA 

• Assist PHAsT Ltd. in the creation of dog bone shaped blend formulations by injection moulding using different mcl-PHA:scl-PHA ratios and characterise them with respect to mechanical properties and degradation rates. 

• Assess biocompatibility of the PHAs, their blends and the NGCs with respect to nerve cells.

• Actively participate in all the Roy Lab activities and take the lead role when expected to do so.

• You will participate in undergraduate and postgraduate training activities in relation to project students in the Roy Lab.

• Participate in teaching activities if required. 

• 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.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place as soon as possible following the closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage 2 weeks after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact cmbe-staffing-contracts@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 41 days 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; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • access to menopause support in the workplace

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • 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 Leader (opens in a new window). 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.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.