At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative computational modelling for chronic kidney disease research.
- Company: Join the University of Sheffield, a world-class institution with a diverse community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41+ days of annual leave, flexible working, and generous pension schemes.
- Other info: Collaborate with top researchers in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact in healthcare through cutting-edge research and technology.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in a quantitative field; strong programming skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 47389 £ per year.
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, a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
We are seeking a Research Associate to join the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MAC) and the INSIGNEO Institute for in silico medicine at the University of Sheffield. This 42-month position is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the pioneering project "Vascular Computational Modelling in Chronic Kidney Disease (VASCO-CKD)". Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects ~10% of the global population and is primarily driven by diabetes and hypertension. The VASCO-CKD project aims to develop the first clinically relevant, comprehensive computational model of renal haemodynamics and validate it using multi-scale human clinical data prospectively collected as part of the project.
As the successful candidate, you will lead the core computational modelling activities within Work Package 1 (WP1), under the direct supervision of Dr. Alberto Marzo. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team, including a medical physics PDRA focused on clinical imaging data collection (WP2), alongside clinicians, MRI physicists and established public and clinical stakeholder networks (WP3). You will be embedded within the INSIGNEO Institute, Europe's largest in silico medicine institute, providing a world-class, multidisciplinary ecosystem of over 400 clinical and engineering researchers. This role provides an outstanding opportunity to leverage your numerical modelling skills to make a real-world clinical impact on early disease prediction and personalized medicine.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Lead the numerical model development and computational simulations within Work Package 1 (WP1).
- Lead the extension of Sheffield's open-source 1D-0D whole-circulation solver (openBF) to incorporate detailed representations of renal macro- and microcirculation, glomerular filtration, and tubular reabsorption.
- Integrate intrinsic renal autoregulation mechanics and extrinsic baroreflex feedback loops into the circulation framework.
- Construct explicit coupling methods to link the vascular models with state-of-the-art disease progression frameworks.
- Perform global sensitivity analyses leveraging Gaussian process emulators to isolate sensitive parameters and optimize workflow computational costs.
- Calibrate and validate computational models against individual and population-level data generated in WP2, maintaining strict alignment with FDA and ASME V&V40 reliability guidelines.
- Generate UK-representative human virtual populations capturing demographic variations and varying stages of diabetic and hypertensive kidney disease.
- Deploy the virtual populations in simulated in silico clinical trials to identify robust non-invasive wave-derived biomarkers for early CKD detection and diagnosis.
- Package data, analysis pipelines, and documented models into a clean, open-access public repository hosted via GitHub and Zenodo under open Apache 2.0 and CC-BY 4.0 licensing.
- Maintain highly effective working relationships across the interdisciplinary team, presenting key milestones at monthly alignment meetings and international conferences.
- 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 experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criterion: A PhD (or near completion/equivalent experience) in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computational Biomedical Imaging, or a related highly quantitative field. Essential or desirable: Essential.
Criterion: Documented experience in numerical model development, mathematical modelling, and programming. Essential or desirable: Essential.
Criterion: Strong background in fluid mechanics, cardiovascular mechanics, or physiological haemodynamics. Essential or desirable: Essential.
Criterion: Experience with open-source software codebases, version control, and open-science data sharing standards. Essential or desirable: Essential.
Criterion: Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collaborate in multi-disciplinary research environments. Essential or desirable: Essential.
Criterion: A track record of authoring high-quality peer-reviewed scientific publications or technical project reports. Essential or desirable: Essential.
Criterion: Experience in performing global sensitivity analyses or constructing Gaussian process emulators. Essential or desirable: Desirable.
Criterion: Familiarity with regulatory verification and validation guidelines for clinical software models. Essential or desirable: Desirable.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on a date to be confirmed following shortlisting. This will consist of a formal panel interview and a technical presentation outlining your previous computational modelling work. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage shortly 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 the HR recruitment team.
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.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies.
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.
Research Associate - Vascular Computational Modelling in Chronic Kidney Disease in Sheffield employer: Diversity Dashboard
Diversity Dashboard is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and professional growth, making it an ideal place for those passionate about tackling inequality and poverty. With a flexible working environment in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and continuous learning, ensuring that every team member can thrive in their role while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate - Vascular Computational Modelling in Chronic Kidney Disease in Sheffield
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Diversity Dashboard, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Diversity Dashboard. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate - Vascular Computational Modelling in Chronic Kidney Disease in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Diversity Dashboard. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Diversity Dashboard. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diversity Dashboard
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Diversity Dashboard. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Diversity Dashboard to drive research projects forward.
