Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health       

Supervisor: Dr A. Crawford        

Project:       

The successful applicant will work with Dr Aileen Crawford in the Bioengineering & Health Technologies Group. The group undertakes leading research into advanced biomaterials and medical devices, to restore the form and function of the body. The research group of Dr Crawford is focussed on researching bioengineering and regenerative medicine approaches to reconstruct, repair and regenerate musculoskeletal tissues for maxillofacial and orthopaedic indications. This is an in vitro project carried out in collaboration with JRI Orthopaedics Ltd. to investigate the biological response mechanisms which occur after traumatic injury of articular cartilage. Over half of patients who suffer significant damage to the cartilage in the joint through trauma will go on to develop osteoarthritis.This disease leads to stiff, painful joints, loss of joint function and mobility and can cause severe impaired quality of life for the patient and is a major challenge to modern medicine. In young animals, repair of small partial defects in the  articular cartilage surface can heal spontaneously. However, these reparative mechanisms are poorly understood. The initial phase of the project will focus on the potential role of stem cells in the joint tissues and their response when articular cartilage is damaged. Understanding the cartilage injury response will be valuable for developing regenerative medicine technologies for cartilage repair/regeneration.        

Entry Requirements: Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree or significant research experience.        

Eligibility and Funding: The annual stipend is £13,396 and will cover the full cost of UK/EU rate fees. Overseas candidates can apply if they have the funding between UK/EU rate fees and international rate fees and the enquiry requirements.        

Enquiries:Interested candidates should in the first instance contact Dr A. Crawford (a.crawford@sheffield.ac.uk).         

How to apply:

To apply, please send a letter describing why you are interested in the post and a full CV (including referees) to Dr A. Crawford, via the ‘Apply’ button below.

Website: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/dentalschool/research/bht/index         

Closing date: July 22nd 2013