Research Associate in Computational Bone Biomechanics

This highly interdisciplinary position will focus on the modelling of paediatric bone across a wide age range (0-16 years) through the creation of digital twins based on paired CT and MRI scans. This novel work will significantly advance our understanding of bone strength and associated fracture risk during development. The position is funded as part of an EPSRC project that aims to develop and validate paediatric bone models through a combined computational and experimental approach, in collaboration with clinical partners at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The ideal candidate will have an excellent PhD in biomechanics (or a related discipline), possess a solid knowledge of non-linear finite element modelling, have strong experience in developing and validating patient-specific biomechanical computational models, and have some experience in scientific programming such as Python. You will join the group of Dr Xinshan Li, Professors Damien Lacroix and Enrico Dall’Ara, as part of the Integrated Musculoskeletal Biomechanics (IMSB) group within the INSIGNEO Institute, which has an international and interdisciplinary profile and a strong commitment to clinical translation. You will actively participate in the IMSB group and INSIGNEO activities. You 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 development of subject-specific finite element models of paediatric femora bone and rib samples to evaluate bone strength.
• Lead the development of approaches to model both the mineralised and non-mineralised materials in developing bones.
• Effectively work with colleagues for the segmentation of paediatric femora bone and rib samples from paired MRI and CT images.
• Effectively work with colleagues for the registration of mineralised and non-mineralised bone materials to develop subject-specific finite element models.
• Work collaboratively with other colleagues for the validation of the finite element models of rib samples based on in situ mechanical testing data.
• Lead the model uncertainty quantification for femora and rib samples.
• Effectively work with colleagues for the identification of in vivo and ex vivo biomarkers for low bone strength associated with lower levels of vitamin D.
• Follow best practices for quality assurance of research software and effective management of research data.
• Participate in patient and public involvement and engagement activities.
• 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, clinicians, partners, etc. to achieve the agreed objectives.
• Proactively seek to develop further collaboration opportunities arising from own work.
• Be actively engaged and participate in all meetings and activities in the IMSB group and at the INSIGNEO Institute.
• Mentor junior colleagues and PhD students and supervise MEng/MSc dissertation research.
• Interact with other researchers within the School, the INSIGNEO Institute, the rest of the University and the collaborating NHS hospitals.
• Write papers that are published in internationally peer-reviewed journals.
• Present work at national and international conferences.
• Write technical reports both for internal monitoring and for reporting to external funding agencies.
• 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.

Essential criteria

• An excellent PhD in biomechanics or a related discipline (assessed at application).
• Solid knowledge of linear and non-linear finite element modelling (assessed at interview).
• Expertise in using finite element software with a high level of sophistication (e.g. use of non-linear material and contact in Ansys, Abaqus, or equivalent) (assessed at interview).
• Proven track record in publishing papers in quality journals under supervision, both during PhD and postdoctoral positions (if any) (assessed at application).
• Good understanding of bone and cartilage or soft tissue biomechanics (assessed at interview).
• Experience in Python or similar programming languages (assessed at interview).
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills and experience of delivering presentations (assessed at 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 (assessed at interview).
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload effectively to meet deadlines (assessed at interview).

Desirable criteria

• Experience in working with high performance computing (HPC) system (assessed at application).
• Experience in participating in medium-large projects and ability in delivering research within given deadlines (assessed at application).

Further Information

Grade: 7.3
Salary: £38,249
Work arrangement: Full time
Duration: This post is a fixed-term (for 34 months) with a start date of 01/09/2025 or until 01/11/2025, and an end date of 30/06/2028 or 30/08/2028, with possibility for extension.
Line manager: Principal Investigator
Direct reports: N/A

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Xinshan (Shannon) Li, Senior Lecturer and Project Lead: on xinshan.li@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in July/August 2025. This will consist of an interview with a presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by mid-July. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact mac-recruiters@sheffield.ac.uk.

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.