At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to develop innovative biomaterials for wound healing and musculoskeletal repair.
- Company: Be part of the prestigious Domingos Group at the University of Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and access to world-class facilities.
- Other info: Rich professional development opportunities with direct industry engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in bioengineering while advancing your career in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: PhD (or near completion) in relevant fields and hands-on experience in cell culture and biomaterials.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
An exciting and fully funded Research Associate position is available for an outstanding, ambitious candidate to join the Domingos Group at the Henry Royce Institute, University of Manchester. The successful candidate will work on an industry-funded programme, focusing on the development of decellularised tissue constructs and hybrid biomaterial systems for wound healing and musculoskeletal repair applications.
You will be responsible for:
- Perform physicochemical, histological, mechanical, and structural characterisation of decellularised tissue membranes and hybrid constructs supplied by industrial partner.
- Conduct biological validation across dermal and tendon repair models, including fibroblast, keratinocyte, tenocyte, and tendon-derived cell viability, proliferation, attachment, and migration assessments.
- Execute in vitro wound healing assays including scratch assay and transwell migration studies to evaluate wound closure kinetics and re-epithelialisation potential.
- Assess tenogenic differentiation including gene expression profiling of tendon-specific markers and collagen fibril alignment analysis.
- Perform ECM proteomic profiling and pro-tenogenic secretome analysis across construct systems.
The successful candidate will be embedded within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment at the interface of biomaterials science, cell biology, proteomics, and translational bioengineering.
About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
- PhD (or near completion) in biomaterials, biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, materials science, or a closely related discipline.
- Hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, including primary cells or established cell lines relevant to dermal or musculoskeletal biology.
- Demonstrated experience in biomaterials characterisation including mechanical testing, rheology, and spectroscopic methods.
- Practical experience with histological techniques (e.g. H&E, Masson’s trichrome, immunostaining).
- Experience with cell viability assays, proliferation assays, and migration assays (scratch assay, transwell).
Desirable Criteria
- Experience with decellularisation techniques or characterisation of extracellular matrix scaffolds.
- Familiarity with ECM proteomic analysis, including sample preparation for mass spectrometry.
- Experience with tenogenic or dermal fibroblast differentiation models.
- Track record of peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations.
The role offers rich professional development opportunities through regular team meetings, joint training sessions, and direct industry engagement, alongside access to world-class characterisation facilities. Our benefits include:
- Generous employer contribution pension.
- 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure.
- Ride to work and EV car scheme available.
Contact Details:
The University of Manchester Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate in Bioengineering in Manchester
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We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in Bioengineering in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show The University of Manchester that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at The University of Manchester.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that The University of Manchester does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Manchester
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at The University of Manchester. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into The University of Manchester's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at The University of Manchester. This shows your passion for the industry!
