Research Fellow in Evolutionary Biomechanics

The post is initially funded for 9 months 

UCL Mechanical Engineering has been at the forefront of engineering education and research for over 170 years. The department was home to the UK’s first Professor of the Mechanical Principles of Engineering in 1847 and pioneered organised laboratory practicals in university education. Today, UCL continues this legacy as a globally recognised institution known for academic excellence, innovation, and real-world impact.

The Moazen Lab, based within UCL Mechanical Engineering, is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The lab is supported by state-of-the-art imaging and material characterisation facilities and has an established international reputation for research in the biomechanics of bones and joints. Its work focuses on understanding mechanisms of growth, adaptation, and repair using computational and experimental approaches, with particular strength in craniofacial biomechanics and complementary research in lower limb biomechanics. The group collaborates closely with biologists, clinicians, and industrial partners on multidisciplinary projects.

This role forms part of an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)–funded research project, delivered in collaboration with several UK and international partners, which aims to investigate the mechanobiology of the craniofacial system.

The project addresses a critical gap in understanding the physical–mechanical interactions that shape the skull during infancy. This lack of fundamental knowledge limits progress in treating craniofacial conditions that primarily affect children. The CranioMech project focuses on developing a novel therapy for craniosynostosis, a condition whose incidence has increased substantially across Europe in recent decades.

The Research Fellow will contribute to a multidisciplinary and multiscale programme that combines fundamental biomechanics with translational research. The work will involve further development of a new therapy using in vivo mouse models, investigation of the underlying mechanisms by which it operates, assessment of scalability in larger animal models, and proof-of-concept studies in preparation for first-in-human trials. Alongside this, the project will explore the biomechanics of current treatments for craniosynostosis. The role will use advanced approaches including computer simulation, manufacturing, imaging, sensing, and in vivo experimentation.

Applicants should hold a PhD, or be close to completion, in a relevant discipline such as biomedical, medical, or mechanical engineering. You will have experience assembling experimental set-ups using force sensors and actuators and developing control programmes, for example using LabVIEW. A proven record of presenting and publishing research in reputable conferences and peer-reviewed journals is essential. Experience working with biological systems and/or the craniofacial system is desirable but not required.

The post is based in UCL Mechanical Engineering at the Bloomsbury campus and is initially funded for nine months. It is a Grade 7 position at Spine Point 31 (£45,103 per annum), subject to standard probation and appraisal procedures. UCL offers a wide range of staff benefits; further details are available via the UCL Rewards and Benefits webpages.

As London’s Global University, UCL is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to being a place where everyone belongs. We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in the academic workforce. UCL Mechanical Engineering holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, recognising its commitment to advancing gender equality.

If you are motivated to contribute to impactful biomechanics research with strong translational potential, we encourage you to apply by following the Apply button and referring to the job description and person specification.

Customer advert reference: B04-06972

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