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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

We have an outstanding opportunity to make an impact in modelling of particulate processes for the pharmaceutical industry. We aim to create models for powder-based manufacturing, especially in pharmaceuticals, using data and mechanisms. The post-holder will join the EPSRC MediForge: Industry 5.0 Medicines Manufacturing Research Hub and lead coordination with members from academia and industry.

Professor Rachel Smith and her research group at the University of Sheffield are world leaders in particle design and formulation, creating desired particulate products. The group is well known for their work in wet granulation. They also work in roll compaction, spray drying, fluidized bed processes, spherical agglomeration, crystallization, and modelling of product performance. Research in the group is a mixture of experimental and computation work. A current key focus of the group is development of new multiscale modelling approaches, coupled with data driven modelling techniques, to support predictive, process and product engineering.

The post holder will lead the group's multiscale modelling work, including traditional processes (wet granulation) and novel technologies (spherical agglomeration). Modelling tools used will vary according to application but are likely to including process simulation using Population Balance Modelling, DEM simulations and Machine Learning Approaches.

Main duties and responsibilities

Manage and prioritise own workload within agreed objectives to ensure that all activities are

                     completed to deadlines.

• Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group and project partners in the CMAC Hub in order to support the achievement of project objectives, ensuring agreed strategy, policies and plans are put into place.

• Carry out plan of research in modelling and simulation of particulate processes using

appropriate software packages such as gProms, EDEM software, Python, Matlab.

•   Write up own research and contribute to the production of research reports and publications in order to disseminate to a wide readership.

•  Present results and make recommendations via briefings, presentations and written reports to facilitate the interpretation of any specific issues or problems and to support decision making.

•  Contribute towards writing bids for research grants.

• Be responsible for requisitioning consumables, procurement of equipment and services etc for the project ensuring that spending is within the required budget and conforms to funding council rules.

•  Assist with professional and knowledge exchange activities as required.

•  Input as team member to Department/Faculty/University administrative activities.

• Engage in continuous professional development.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

• 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 are 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.

Essential criteria

• A PhD degree (or equivalent research experience) in (bio)chemical engineering, (bio)process engineering, biotechnology, chemistry or a related discipline (assessed at: application/interview)

• Experience in molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, reaction engineering or chemistry (assessed at: application/interview)

• Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to produce technical reports for stakeholders and funders (assessed at: application/interview)

• Ability to think critically, analyse and solve problems, with an appreciation of longer-term goals and implications (assessed at: application/interview)

• Ability to assess and organise resources, manage time and plan, progress and document work activities accurately (assessed at: application/interview)

• Ability to work effectively both independently and in multi-disciplinary teams. Being able to work with industry partners and transfer technology (assessed at: application/interview)

• Eagerness to present findings at conferences and collaborate with vaccine manufacturers and stakeholders (assessed at: application/interview)

• Self-motivation and self-driven to perform high-quality research. Utilising attention to detail, curiosity, creativity and interdisciplinary knowledge (assessed at: application/interview)

Desirable criteria

• Experience in experimental process development, preferably in (bio)pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing, with a focus on mRNA and, ideally, circular mRNA production (assessed at: application/interview)

• Experience with statistical design of experiments and data analysis. Proven track record of high-quality research and peer-reviewed publications (assessed at: application/interview)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: Fixed term for 36 months

Line manager: Professor Rachel Smith

Direct reports: None.

For informal enquiries about this job contact cbe-recruiters@sheffield.ac.uk 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place a couple of weeks after the closing date. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage one week 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 cbe-recruiters@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

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • 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 Employer. 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 : 10/07/2025 

The University of Sheffield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and students. It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding checks in line with the requirements of each role and the guidance from the Department for Education.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
- Childcare disqualification
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Medical
- Online and social media
- Eligibility to work
- Satisfactory references
- Suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Safeguarding policy

Employment of ex-offenders policy