Research Associate/Fellow (Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Organic Surfaces and Interfaces) (Fixed term)

We are seeking postdoctoral scientists to join an EPSRC funded project that will design and synthesise bio-instructive materials to manufacture translation ready medical devices.

A novel class of polymers developed in our labs show great promise in reducing infections and controlling host response in the clinic. We recently added the use of micro topography to provide a synergistic stimulus to tackle infections and found an improvement in the host immune response. This control of host response is applicable to achieving better implant integration and wound healing. These findings are being developed in this project to improve outcomes for medical devices in the clinic.

In this EPSRC funded project we will use combinatorial material libraries in ChemoTopo Chips using cutting edge 3D printing technologies. These will be employed to both discover new ‘immune-instructive’ chemistry:topography combinations and probe the mechanisms that underpin their cell-instructive ability. We will develop models across a range of surfaces which correlate polymer molecular structure, surface chemistry, topography, manufacturing fidelity and bio-interfacial composition with immune and stromal cell responses as well as bacteria biofilm resistance. These models will be used to design optimal materials and manufacturing strategies for use in implanted surgical meshes and chronic wound care products for the post antibiotic era. 

The project includes computational modellers and experimentalists in the fields of polymer synthesis, 3D printing, surface chemical analysis, cellular immunology, bacteriology, proteomics and metabolomics. 

This post will employ electrospray-based surface analysis and mass spectrometry approaches such as Liquid Extraction Surface Analysis (LESA), and LC-MS based metabolomics. The successful candidate will be responsible for analysing the secretome from cells exposed to a range of topography/chemistry combinations. 

This post is available on a 3 year fixed term contract. Hours of work are full time (36.25 hour). Job share arrangements may be considered.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Rian Griffiths (email: rian.griffiths@nottingham.ac.uk). Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

There are links to US collaborators, Bob Latour (Clemson University) and Daniel Anderson and Robert Langer (MIT) and Jan deBoer in TU Eindhoven and Dave Winkler in at La Trobe University (Melbourne).

This is a collaborative project between the Schools of Pharmacy, Computer Science, Physics and Astronomy, Life Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering. These are full-time posts offered on fixed-term contracts for 36 months, starting in the first half of 2023.

We pride ourselves on the collegial and supportive culture created by our staff for our staff and students. We are dedicated to providing an environment which enables our staff to thrive and achieve their potential. Our commitment to Equality and Diversity has been recognised in the awards of Athena Swan Awards to the schools and faculties involved. 

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