Research Associate

The Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility has been awarded EPSRC funding for an exciting research project led by Cardiff University, collaborating with Imperial College London.

This post presents an opportunity to work with an internationally recognised research teams (UK, US and Belgium), and industry partners on the development a Multi-platform pipeline for engineering human knee joint function (ENGIN KNEE). For this project, we will combine state of the art methods, ranging from advanced computer modelling (in silico), through robot driven testing of implanted knees (in vitro), to 3-dimensional X-ray imaging of moving patients (in vivo) with Machine Learning driven analysis, to deliver a knee joint analysis pipeline capable of driving surgical innovation beyond 2030.

The work program, based at Cardiff University, and in collaboration with Katholik University Leuven, Belgium and University of Florida, USA, will develop and validate test protocols and musculoskeletal models in the MSKBRF Dynamic X-ray imaging and Motion Analysis Laboratories. Employing state-of-the-art techniques alongside novel concepts, robust institutional and industry collaboration and continuous engagement with clinicians and patients, the project will enable the development of new, realistic, practical musculoskeletal models to understand knee loading and stability in patients having total knee replacement surgery.

Your main duties would include:

• Working with research collaborators to develop and refine research methodologies and protocols to achieve project goals.
• Developing high fidelity, subject specific, musculoskeletal models from data collected in the laboratory from human research participants, with subsequent analyse and comparison of outputs, according to project requirements.
• Liaising with research team, clinicians, volunteer participants and members of the public regarding the research project aim and objectives and informed consenting processes.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) from the 1st November 2025 and is fixed term until 31st January 2027.
     
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6).  It is not expected that an appointment be made above Grade 6 Point 32, £41,064 per annum.

Job ref: 20795BR

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Professor Cathy Holt, Dr David Williams, and Ms Jenny Williams Holt@cardiff.ac.uk, WilliamsD37@cardiff.ac.uk, and WilliamsJ154@cardiff.ac.uk

For further details about working at Cardiff School of Engineering please contact Enginadmin@cardiff.ac.uk

Closing date: Monday, 03 November 2025

The School of Engineering holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in science. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. For this vacancy we actively encourage women to apply. We will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share opportunities. 

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

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