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.

Overview

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead the development of micro-Computed Tomography (microCT)-based finite element (FE) models of the mouse tibia
• Lead the development of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) cell population (CP) models to predict the changes in bone cells and molecules involved in bone remodelling
• Lead the integration of multi-body dynamics (MBD) models developed by another postdoc in the team, FE models and CP models into a multiscale model to predict bone adaptation due to biochemical and biomechanical stimuli
• Lead the comparison between bone adaptation triggered by biomechanical and pharmacological treatments measured in murine studies by another postdoc in the team and the predictions of the multiscale model
• Follow best practices computational work and software engineering
• Self-organise time to ensure the achievement of the objectives agreed with the line manager and to continue to develop own knowledge in the domain of research.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the relevant literature.
• Effectively collaborate with colleagues, co-workers, partners, etc. to achieve the agreed objectives.
• Proactively seek to develop further collaboration opportunities arising from own work.
• Be actively engaged and participate to all meetings and activities in the collaborative projects in which the Integrative Muculoskeletal Biomechanics (IMSB) group and the Skelet.AL laboratory are currently participating.
• Mentor junior colleagues and PhD students and supervise MEng/MSc dissertation research.
• Interact with other researchers within the division, the Insigneo Institute, the Skelet.AL laboratory, the rest of the university and the institutions of our partners in collaborative projects.
• Write papers that are published in high quality internationally peer-reviewed journals.
• Present work at national and international conferences.
• Write technical reports both for internal monitoring and for reporting to funding agencies.
• 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.

Essential criteria

• An excellent PhD in computational bone biomechanics (or a related discipline) [Application]
• Solid knowledge of bone biomechanics, physiology, and bone adaptation [Application/Interview]
• Experience with finite element modelling of bones [Application/Interview]
• Experience in advanced image processing analyses (e.g. image segmentation, image registration) [Application/Interview]
• Experience with computational model verification, validation and uncertainties quantification [Application/Interview]
• Proven track record in drafting and publishing papers in high quality journals [Application]
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills and experience of delivering presentations [Application/Interview]
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload effectively, to meet deadlines [Application/Interview]
• Experience of working as a team member to collaborate, co-operate and participate with others to achieve common objectives and to share experience and ideas [Application/Interview]
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving [Application/Interview]

Desirable criteria

• Experience with cell population models of bone adaptation [Application/Interview]

Further Information

Grade: G7.3

Salary: £38,249

Work arrangement: Full-time

Duration: from 01/09/25 to 31/08/28 (start date is flexible)

Line manager: Enrico Dall’Ara, Prof Musculoskeletal Biomechanics, Research Director of Insigneo, Director of the Skelet.AL laboratory

Direct reports: N/A

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/people/clinical-medicine/enrico-dallara

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Prof Enrico Dall’Ara, Professor of musculoskeletal Biomechanics: on e.dallara@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 1st April 2025. This will consist of an interview including a presentation by the candidate about their research experience and questions by the panel. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 17th March 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact e.dallara@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;
• 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.

The successful candidate will need to undertake an agenda check for working with animals, as a condition of the post.

Closing Date : 23/03/2025 

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.