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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 are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to join the Ismail Lab at the University of Sheffield—part of a dynamic, internationally recognised research environment within the Division of Clinical Medicine and the Bateson Centre for Disease Mechanisms.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced researcher to contribute to a newly awarded Versus Arthritis-funded project investigating how mechanical injury to connective tissues drives inflammation and tissue damage, particularly in musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis. The project aims to identify early biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these conditions.

This interdisciplinary project brings together expertise in chemoproteomics, imaging, animal modelling, and omics technologies. Key responsibilities include processing human tissue samples for mass spectrometry, conducting target screening in plasma and synovial fluid, developing activity-based assays, and performing compound library screening. The role also involves the use of  in murine models of osteoarthritis, alongside proteomic, biochemical, and spatial transcriptomic analyses.

This is an outstanding opportunity, offering hands-on experience in spatial transcriptomics, multiplex immunofluorescence, in vivo/ex vivo microCT imaging, and integrative omics data analysis in partnership with collaborators at University of Oxford and University of Queen Mary. Our lab also employs zebrafish models for high-throughput screening using advanced transgenesis, CRISPR/Cas9, and live imaging platforms, combined with molecular and cellular assays to understand inflammation mechanisms.

We are looking for a dedicated and experienced postdoctoral scientist with a strong interest in cellular signalling, musculoskeletal biology, osteoarthritis, and animal disease models, who thrives in a collaborative and multidisciplinary team environment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Process and prepare human synovial and cartilage samples for mass spectrometry, chemoproteomics, and spatial transcriptomics.
• Conduct target screening in human plasma and synovial fluid to identify active enzyme targets and signalling pathways.
• Develop and apply activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) assays.
• Perform compound library screening for modulating inflammatory enzyme activity.
• Conduct DMM surgeries in murine models of osteoarthritis and perform downstream validation.
• Employ spatial transcriptomics and multiplex immunofluorescence to assess tissue inflammation and damage.
• Integrate imaging (microCT) data with omics datasets (proteomic/transcriptomic).
• Support zebrafish-based high-throughput screening using genetic and imaging tools.
• Apply molecular and cellular assays to study inflammatory processes.
• Analyse integrative omics datasets using bioinformatics and machine learning tools.
• Present research at internal meetings and external conferences.
• Contribute to scientific publications, student supervision, and collaborative lab activities.

Person Specification (assessed at: application/Interview).

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing

date. This will consist of a visit to the lab to meet the team and a research presentation and

interview.

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.
• 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.

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.