Job Description
Job Title:  Research Associate in Experimental Bone Biomechanics (Dall'Ara)
Posting Start Date:  02/06/2025
Job Id:  941
School/Department:  School of Medicine & Population Health
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (On site)
Contract Type:  Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£):  £38,249-£41,671.00
Closing Date:  30/06/2025

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

 

This highly interdisciplinary post-doctoral research associate (PDRA) position will advance our understanding of the mechanical properties of bones from children affected by metabolic diseases, combining biomechanical experiments, micro-Computed Tomography imaging, Digital Volume Correlation, and Nanoindentation.

   The position is funded as part of the project “ChildBone: A novel digital twin to assess bone strength in children”, funded by the EPSRC. The PDRA will work in Prof Enrico Dall’Ara’s group and will be embedded in a collaborative environment including the project PI (Dr XInshan Li, Mechanical Engineering) and the other co-Applicants (Prof Damien Lacroix, Mechanical Engineering; Prof Amaka Offiah, Clinical Medicine; Prof Marta Cohen, Sheffield Children Hospital).  The PDRA will combine the above-mentioned techniques to characterise the mechanical competence of paediatric bones and to provide a unique dataset to inform and validate computational models that aim at predicting the bone strength and risk of fracture in children with metabolic diseases. 

The ideal candidate will have an excellent PhD in bone biomechanics (or a related discipline), possess a solid knowledge of mechanical testing, micro-Computed Tomography imaging, and Nanoindentation.

  Ensuring the achievement of the project objectives will advance the vision of the Insigneo institute to validate computational models for the musculoskeletal system and produce a transformational impact on healthcare. The PDRA will also sustain and strengthen collaboration within relevant Insigneo research groups and beyond; and will commit to Insigneo’s mission to produce high quality cutting-edge research.

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 

  • Lead the biomechanical characterization of children bone tissues using in situ mechanical testing, Digital Volume Correlation, and nanoindentation
  • Lead the microstructural assessment of children bone tissues
  • Collaborate with the ChildBone project team to inform and validate the outputs of biomechanical computational models
  • Follow best practices experimental work and imaging
  • 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 Musculoskeletal Biomechanics (IMSB) group.
  • 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.

 

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

An excellent PhD in experimental bone biomechanics (or a related discipline)

Essential

Application

Solid knowledge of bone biomechanics, physiology, and bone development

Essential

Application/Interview

Experience with mechanical testing of unfixed human bones

Essential

Application/Interview

Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills and experience of delivering presentations

Essential

Application/Interview

Experience in microCT imaging and microstructural analyses

Essential

Application/Interview

Proven track record in drafting and publishing papers in high quality journals

Essential

Application

Ability to manage and prioritise own workload effectively, to meet deadlines [

Essential

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

Essential

Application/Interview

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving

Essential

Application/Interview

Experience with Digital Volume Correlation

Desirable

Application/Interview

Experience with Nanoindentation measurements in mineralised tissues

Desirable

Application/Interview

 

 

Further Information

Grade: G7.3

Salary: £38,249

Work arrangement: Full-time

Duration: from 01/09/25 (or a few months later) for 34 months

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 in of August 2025. This will consist of an interview and a presentation We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in mid-July 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Professor Enrico Dall’Ara at 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.

 

Closing Date : 30/06/2025 

 

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.