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.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join the Mechanisms of Health & Disease research group within the School of Clinical Dentistry. This job is part of a Yorkshire MedTech Place Based Impact Acceleration Account-funded Proof-of-Feasibility project. You will work on a project led by Dr Thomas Paterson, aiming to develop and evaluate FlexiSense: a soft, 3D-printed sensorised glove for objective assessment of hand function in people with neurological conditions.

Many neurological conditions are reflected in how people use their hands. At present, clinicians often rely on separate clinic tests and observation, which can miss subtle changes. FlexiSense is a textile-based wearable with printed multimodal sensors designed to measure grip force, movement, touch-related responses and muscle activity while people perform simple, standardised tasks. The project brings together flexible electronics, advanced manufacturing, clinical neurology and MedTech translation to move the glove from a promising laboratory prototype towards a reproducible device concept ready for follow-on clinical evaluation.

You will utilise your expertise in flexible electronics, additive manufacturing, printed sensors, instrumentation and experimental data analysis to optimise glove fabrication, carry out bench characterisation, support early usability assessments and contribute to user-centred device refinement. The role also includes supporting translational activities with clinicians, patients, trial sponsors/CROs and commercialisation colleagues, including intended-use refinement, market segmentation and the value case for future clinical-trial applications.

The role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to applied bioelectronics and medical device translation, working collaboratively within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team spanning engineering, clinical neuroscience, clinical engineering, and commercialisation. You must be highly motivated, innovative and able to work both independently and collaboratively. Sound knowledge of flexible electronics, sensorised wearables, additive manufacturing, or related bioengineering methods, and the ability to apply these techniques within an interdisciplinary research environment are essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

●          Assist with relevant research as directed by the project proposal in conjunction with other project members, to achieve the milestones and deliverables established in the project plan.

●        Optimise the manufacture of soft, multimodal sensorised gloves using textile-based additive manufacturing and printed electronics approaches.

●        Develop and apply experimental protocols for bench characterisation of sensor performance, reproducibility, interconnect behaviour and device robustness.

●        Analyse data from mechanical, electrical and biosignal-related measurements, maintaining detailed and accurate records of all procedures, results and data analyses.

●        Work independently and alongside project partners, including clinicians, clinical engineering colleagues, patient contributors and commercialisation support staff, to meet the project objectives.

●        Support user-requirements work with clinicians, trialists and PPIE contributors, including refinement of glove-based hand-function tasks and intended-use statements.

●        Contribute to translational and commercial outputs, including a concise commercial segmentation model covering TAM, SAM and SOM, and support targeted sponsor/CRO interview activity to validate early market assumptions. Including travel to relevant events.

●        Contribute to a concise health-economics and value case for future clinical-trial use, focused on trial efficiency, data quality, visit burden and potential procurement routes.

●        Maintain equipment, software and supplies required for the project work.

●        Follow mandatory Health & Safety policies and procedures, including CoSHH and standard operating procedures, using appropriate communication mechanisms.

●        Liaise with the academic principal investigator with overall responsibility for the project, as well as other academic co-investigators and collaborators.

• Carry out strategic planning over the duration of the project in conjunction with other project members, including planning and scheduling of experimental work and resource requirements.

●        Assist with relevant research as directed by the project proposal in conjunction with other project members, to achieve the milestones and deliverables established in the project plan.

●        Optimise the manufacture of soft, multimodal sensorised gloves using textile-based additive manufacturing and printed electronics approaches.

●        Develop and apply experimental protocols for bench characterisation of sensor performance, reproducibility, interconnect behaviour and device robustness.

●        Analyse data from mechanical, electrical and biosignal-related measurements, maintaining detailed and accurate records of all procedures, results and data analyses.

●        Work independently and alongside project partners, including clinicians, clinical engineering colleagues, patient contributors and commercialisation support staff, to meet the project objectives.

●        Support user-requirements work with clinicians, trialists and PPIE contributors, including refinement of glove-based hand-function tasks and intended-use statements.

●        Contribute to translational and commercial outputs, including a concise commercial segmentation model covering TAM, SAM and SOM, and support targeted sponsor/CRO interview activity to validate early market assumptions. Including travel to relevant events.

●        Contribute to a concise health-economics and value case for future clinical-trial use, focused on trial efficiency, data quality, visit burden and potential procurement routes.

●        Maintain equipment, software and supplies required for the project work.

●        Follow mandatory Health & Safety policies and procedures, including CoSHH and standard operating procedures, using appropriate communication mechanisms.

●        Liaise with the academic principal investigator with overall responsibility for the project, as well as other academic co-investigators and collaborators..

• 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 within 4 weeks of the submission deadline. This will consist of an interview and presentation along with a tour of research facilities. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the submission deadline. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jennie Young on j.l.young@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.

Closing Date : 24/09/2026 

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.