Research Assistant in Spine Biomechanics

Do you have a strong technical background in experimental biomechanics with an interest in spine? Would you like to work as part of a multidisciplinary institute to address a clinically driven challenge?    

We are looking for a proactive individual to join our team of researchers at the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, leading research on longer lasting joint replacements, tissue sparing interventions and biological scaffolds for tissue regeneration. 

This role is created part of projects aiming to characterise spinal facet joints biomechanics and how it changes following spinal fusion. In the UK, four out of five adults suffer from back pain at some point in their life, some of which require spinal fusion, an invasive intervention designed to stop the motion of the affected spinal area. After fusion however, facet joint degeneration can increase and create new symptoms and long-term pain for one in four patients.

This project will carry out testing methods combining experimental and image analysis or computational modelling to gain a better understanding of the how the facet joints biomechanics changes following fusion. You will join a wider group developing in vitro and in silico preclinical models of musculoskeletal joints. You will have a strong background in experimental tissue biomechanics or spine biomechanics and have a proactive approach to working in an experimental and computational environment. You will join an institute that includes different expertise and substantial experience in supporting early-stage researchers in a key phase of their career. We encourage an environment of collaboration, trust and wellbeing, which values difference of ideas and embraces diversity. 

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr Marlène Mengoni, Associate Professor (email: M.Mengoni@leeds.ac.uk)

Please note that due to Home Office visa requirements, this role may only be suitable for first-time Skilled Worker visa applicants if they are eligible for salary concessions. For more information, please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent.

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