Research Fellow - Department of DentistryGrade 7. Job in Birmingham Education & Training Jobs

Department of Dentistry
School of Health Sciences
College of Medicine and Health
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149
Grade: 7
Full Time Fixed Term contract up to November 2027
Closing date: 18th June 2025

Background:
To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

Role Summary:
Procure and process hard tissue dental samples with incipient and artificial caries for assessment by conventional high resolution techniques (SRCT, FIB-SEM, AFM, TEM). Prepare and analyse artificial demineralised and remineralised enamel lesions. Perform top-down 4D characterisation of enamel structural evolution using macro- to micro-fluidics and multiple techniques at macro-, micro- and nano-scale resolution to observe multiscale changes in enamel demineralisation and establish a platform for enamel remineralisation. Perform bottom-up multi-modal 4D observation of HAp biological and/or chemical remineralisation. Evaluate enamel demineralisation kinetics in micro-fluidic setups using accelerated or enhanced pathways to enamel-like apatite deposition (e.g. chemical precipitation, peptide-driven regeneration, and electrophoretic deposition). Use multi-modal multi-scale 4D microscopy (SEM, AFM, SRCT) for the analysis of the evolution of globule formation, crystal nucleation, self-assembly, and growth from ions clusters to polycrystals. Liaise with collaborators to develop multi-scale multi-physics reaction-diffusion modelling of HAp dissolution/precipitation to include liquid-solid interaction and evolving environment (pH), transport (specific ion concentrations, dissolution/precipitation conditions), and structure (morphology, size, orientation) of HAp crystallites. Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids. Operate within area of specialism. Analyse and interpret research findings and results. Contribute to generating funding. Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar.

Main Duties:
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with assistance of a mentor if required.
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
- Analyse and interpret data.
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
- Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, etc.
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques, and methods.
- Undertake management/administration arising from research.
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
- Contribute to enterprise business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University often under supervision of a project leader.
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
- Present research outputs including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
- Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
- Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
- Occasionally travel to the collaborating institution (University of Oxford) and the Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility (Didcot) to perform specific experiments.

Person Specification:
- First degree in area of specialism and normally a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications.
- High level analytical capability.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques, or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.
- Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Gabriel Landini.

Key Skills:
Bioinformatics, Genetics, R, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Research Experience, Statistical Software, Cell Culture, Molecular Biology, Data Analysis Skills, Flow Cytometry, Microscopy.