Research Associate in Biomaterials and Implant Immunology

Job Title

Research Associate in Biomaterials and Implant Immunology

Posting Start Date

02/11/2026

School/Department

Chemical, Materials & Biological Engineering

Work Arrangement

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£)

39,560 - 41,885

Closing Date

15/11/2026

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 (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 and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Are you completing, or have you completed, a PhD in biomaterials, tissue engineering, cell biology, regenerative medicine or a related area, with an interest in improving the safety of implantable medical devices? We have an exciting opportunity to join a research programme establishing a coordinated framework for the analysis of explanted polymeric medical devices.

You will contribute to research investigating how implant degradation, tissue responses and patient-specific factors combine to drive complications associated with specific medical devices. You will help establish robust experimental and sample-handling workflows for explanted devices and matched biological samples, develop and establish laboratory methods to characterise tissue and immune responses, and support the integration of research findings within a developing explant research programme.

Working within the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, you will collaborate with academic, clinical, regulatory and patient partners, including Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the University of Cambridge. You will contribute to publications, presentations and project outputs with direct relevance to patient safety and post-market device surveillance.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop multidisciplinary expertise at the interface of biomaterials, implant immunology, women’s health and translational healthcare research, while contributing to a programme designed to deliver lasting clinical and regulatory impact.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of the research programme investigating the causes and consequences of failure of polymeric implantable medical devices, with a particular focus on implant-tissue and immune interactions.
• Develop, optimise and document experimental and sample-handling workflows for explanted medical devices and matched biological samples, including periprosthetic tissues and, where available, peri-implant aspirates.
• Undertake laboratory-based research using relevant cell and tissue models, including mammalian cell culture and human tissue-based approaches, to investigate biological responses to implant materials and degradation products.
• Develop and apply appropriate methods for characterising tissue and immune responses, which may include histological assessment, immunostaining, microscopy and relevant cellular or molecular assays.
• Support the integration of experimental findings with implant characterisation and patient-level clinical information within the developing explant registry, working closely with the Principal Investigator (Dr Nicholas Farr) and project collaborators.
• Analyse, interpret and quality-assure experimental data, maintaining accurate, reproducible research records and contributing to the development of standard operating procedures and research protocols.
• Work collaboratively with academic, clinical and regulatory partners.
• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, reports and materials for clinical, regulatory and public audiences.
• Ensure research is conducted in accordance with relevant ethical, health and safety, human tissue, data protection and research governance requirements, and contribute to appropriate documentation and approvals.
• Support the wider activities of the research group, including sharing expertise, contributing to the training or supervision of students and researchers where appropriate, and supporting an inclusive and collaborative research environment.
• 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.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 23rd November 2026. If you are selected, the interview will consist of an interview and a short research presentation. If you need any support, equipment or . If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact cmbe-staffing-contracts@sheffield.ac.uk.

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; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • 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 Leader (opens in a new window). 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.