Research Fellow in Mineralised Tissue

Location: Leeds - St James University Hospital/Main Campus

Contract type: Fixed term (Until 31^st May 2027 - to complete specific time limited work.)

Project: Smart Innovations for Lifelong Enamel (SMILE): Supporting UK industry in global oral healthcare markets

Are you interested in characterising cutting edge industrial formulations for the preservation of enamel? Do you have a desire to work at the interface of academia and industry? Are you experienced in the use of synchrotron X-ray scattering techniques, tomography and data analysis? Would you like to join a multidisciplinary team working with a large UK based multi-national facility, using advanced synchrotron X-ray techniques and complementary laboratory imaging to investigate the mechanisms of new formulations on dental hard tissue?

This is an outstanding opportunity for you to work on an exciting project in the Division of Oral Biology within the Leeds School of Dentistry, in collaboration with Haleon and colleagues at synchrotron facilities. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will be using a combination of synchrotron X-ray diffraction and imaging techniques to assess the protective mechanisms of action on hierarchical mineralised tissue structures in dental enamel brought about by the application of new formulations of a widely available consumer product.  The project involves the use of routine laboratory techniques and synchrotron diffraction and imaging beamlines at Diamond Light Source to study and image-oriented structures at multiple length-scales in hierarchically organised mineralised tissues, with and without treatment.

You will have experience working with diseased enamel affected by either caries lesions, erosive wear or other enamel pathologiesm, and have a first degree related to dentistry or the physical sciences. You will also have experience working both independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as well as a willingness to work flexibly and travel internationally and nationally to synchrotron facilities and collaborating institutes. The position is available from the 1^st June 2026 for 12 months.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s over 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance.
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: 
• Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• All FMH staff are entitled to ten days staff development per year (pro rata). Please speak to your Line Manager about how you can utilise these.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

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

Informal enquiries regarding the post should be directed to:

Professor Maisoon Al-Jawad, Division of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry

Email: m.al-jawad@leeds.ac.uk

If you have any specific enquiries about your online application please contact:

Jessica Petch, Acting Business Coordinator and Business Operations Officer

Email: j.petch@leeds.ac.uk

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