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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.

Research Associate in Oral Stem Cell Biology

Department/School: School of Clinical Dentistry

Contract type: Fixed term, full time 30/03/2026-28/03/2030

Advertising length (weeks): 2

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join the the School of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Health, University of Sheffield. This post is funded by a BBSRC award and offers an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to a high-quality in vivo research programme in stem cell and vascular biology with direct relevance to tissue regeneration and inflammatory disease.

Led by Dr Vitor Neves, the project investigates how stem and vascular cell populations behave in vivo during tissue homeostasis and chronic infectious-inflammatory disease, using periodontal disease as a biologically tractable model system. The overarching aim is to generate mechanistic insight that can inform future regenerative and precision-medicine approaches.

The post holder will work on an integrated experimental programme combining genetically modified rodent models (including lineage tracing and gain- and loss-of-function approaches), advanced imaging, and multi-omics analyses (transcriptomic, epigenomic, and microbiome). This role is ideally suited to a postdoctoral biologist with experience or strong interest in in vivo research, stem cell biology, vascular biology, inflammation, or regenerative biology.

You will work closely with the project lead, other postdoctoral researchers, technical staff, and postgraduate students in a collaborative research environment. The role provides opportunities for significant intellectual contribution, development of advanced experimental skills, and authorship of high-quality publications.

You will be based within a supportive and interdisciplinary research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities. This post offers excellent training and career development for researchers seeking to strengthen their expertise in in vivo biology and translational regenerative research.

Appointment to the post will be subject to a security check, which will be carried out for the preferred candidate.

Main duties and responsibilities

● Conduct high-quality laboratory-based research aligned with a BBSRC-funded project investigating stem and vascular cell behaviour in oral tissues during health and periodontal disease.

● Design, perform, and analyse in vivo experiments using genetically modified rodent models, including lineage tracing and gain- and loss-of-function approaches, in compliance with Home Office regulations and approved protocols.

● Maintain, monitor, and assist with the management of animal colonies, including routine animal procedures, health monitoring, and accurate record keeping, in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

● Perform experimental techniques including oral tissue dissection, histology, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, micro-CT analysis, and multiomics assays.

● Analyse and interpret experimental data, maintaining accurate, detailed, and reproducible research records.

● Work independently and collaboratively within the Neves Lab and wider research team to deliver project milestones.

● Contribute to manuscript preparation, prepare and deliver presentations for internal meetings, collaborators, and external audiences.

● Adhere to Health & Safety policies and contribute to a safe and effective laboratory environment.

● Liaise regularly with the principal investigator and contribute to project planning and team meetings.

● Undertake other duties as required, commensurate with the scope and grade 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 2 weeks of the application submission date.  This will consist of an interview and presentation, the title of which will be provided to all shortlisted candidates. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the close of the application process.  If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact dental.ops@sheffield.ac.uk  who will be able to assist..

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.

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.