We are seeking an outstanding and ambitious individual to join our team as a Research Associate in Biofabrication within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering. This role offers a rare opportunity to work at the forefront of space bioprinting, cryobiology and advanced biomaterials science at the Henry Royce Institute.

The post is fully funded through a Royal Society APEX Award and will contribute to the project “Bioprinting Beyond Gravity: Developing ExtremophileInspired Biomaterials for Human Tissue Fabrication in Space.” The project aims to overcome a critical challenge in space bioprinting: the safe storage, transport and deployment of cellladen bioinks in extreme environments. You will help develop cryopreservable “cryobioinks” inspired by extremophile biology, integrating biomaterials chemistry, polymer science, stem cell biology and simulated microgravity research.

This is a fulltime, fixedterm role for 18 months, based at the University of Manchester’s Oxford Road campus (Henry Royce Institute), with collaborative work at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences using a Random Positioning Machine to simulate microgravity.

You will be responsible for:

Designing and characterising macromolecular cryoprotectants for incorporation into polymerbased bioinks
Developing and optimising cryobioink formulations and assessing performance before and after freezethaw cycles
Performing cryopreservation of stemcellbased bioinks and evaluating postthaw viability, stemness and differentiation
Assessing bioprinting performance under simulated microgravity conditions
Leading dissemination through peerreviewed publications, conference presentations and funder reports

You will act as an integrative scientific link between biomaterials and cryobiology teams, coordinating project activity and contributing to supervision and training of junior researchers.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

A PhD (or close to completion) in biomaterials, biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, materials science or a related discipline
Handson experience in mammalian cell culture, including stem cells
Practical experience in biomaterials formulation and characterisation, and extrusionbased 3D bioprinting
Strong ability to plan, manage and deliver complex experimental workflows independently
Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills

Desirable Criteria

Experience with cryopreservation or cryoprotectant formulation
Experience with photocrosslinkable biomaterials or polymer synthesis
Experience in microgravity or space biology research contexts
Experience supervising students or contributing to funding applications

We value creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration and a strong commitment to research integrity as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:
Generous employer pension contribution
29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
Access to worldclass biofabrication facilities and professional development opportunities

For more information, please see
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here/.
You can also find information on Flexible and Hybrid working here:
https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/people/current-staff/flexible-and-hybrid-working/.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy:
https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=32905.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Name: Dr Marco Domingos
Email Address: marco.domingos@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.

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