Postdoctoral Researcher in Development and Optimisation of a Vascularisation Promoting Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Postdoctoral Researcher in Development and Optimisation of a Vascularisation Promoting Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications — I-Form Centre/Biodesign Europe/Centre for Medical Engineering Research - Dublin City University — Ireland

Background & Role

I-Form/Biodesign Europe/Centre for Medical Engineering Research (MEDeng) is currently offering a 3 year postdoctoral researcher position that aims to develop a vascularisation-promoting scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications. Bone fractures are a prevalent medical issue impacting millions of people globally each year, necessitating effective and efficient treatment options. While most fractures heal effectively without surgical intervention, non-union fractures and complex bone tissue defects resulting from disease or injury require the use of bone grafts and bone graft substitutes. A critical factor in achieving successful fracture repair is the promotion of new vessel formation within the scaffold; failure to achieve a new blood supply can lead to avascular necrosis, resulting in bone tissue death. This proposal aims to develop a bone scaffold that promotes vascularisation at the site of a bone injury, achieving new bone formation while preventing avascular necrosis.

Dublin City University (DCU) is a leading innovative European University, proud to be one of the world’s leading Young Universities. DCU is known as Ireland’s University of Impact, with a mission to ‘transform lives and societies’ and focuses on addressing global challenges in collaboration with key national and international partners and stakeholders.

The I-Form Centre was established by Science Foundation Ireland in late 2017, with a mission to shape the future of manufacturing through high-impact research into the application of digital technologies to materials processing. The Centre is applying developments in digital technologies to materials processing to improve understanding, modelling and control of the manufacturing process, thus increasing the competitiveness of the Irish industry. I-Form brings together expertise in materials science, engineering, data analytics and cognitive computing. One of our key materials processing demonstrators is in the area of Additive Manufacturing or 3D printing, which has the potential to disrupt traditional manufacturing and create new and individualised in areas such as medical devices, aerospace and pharmaceuticals. I-Form operates in close collaboration with a network of companies, as well as leading manufacturing research centres from around the globe and throughout its first phase has recruited a multidisciplinary team of over 120 PhD and Post-Doctoral researchers. The Centre is hosted at University College Dublin with partners and researchers based in Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, Maynooth University, University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University, South-East Technological University, University of Limerick and NIBRT.

Biodesign Europe is an established transatlantic scientific research institute that leverages the research infrastructure capacity and expertise at the ASU Biodesign Institute (https://biodesign.asu.edu/) and DCU’s research centres. The focus of Biodesign Europe is to harness the natural design rules of life on this planet and translate nature-inspired solutions to complex grand challenges in health, sustainability and security for global positive impact and driving a sustainable international economy.

MEDeng is a key research centre at Dublin City University focused on translating engineering and materials research into healthcare solutions. The centre has six overarching research themes based at the interface of materials science, engineering and biology - providing the underpinning fundamental research to facilitate the stratified clinical and industrial framework for the development of medical devices and implants for tissue repair and regeneration. Projects are often conducted in close collaboration with leading Irish and international companies and research organisations.

This postdoctoral position offers an exciting job opportunity where the successful candidate will have access to competent technical, infrastructural and administrative support and the opportunity to evolve a multi-faceted skill set. The successful candidate will join an international team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers and will work in close collaboration with academic, clinical and industry collaborators including PBC Biomed. The postdoctoral researcher will be based in Biodesign Europe and MEDeng at Dublin City University and will work under the supervision of Professor Nicholas Dunne and Dr Tanya Levingstone.

Minimum Criteria

Applicants should have a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmacy, Biological Science or a cognitive discipline.In addition, it is desirable that the candidate has a strong research track record, experience in development, characterisation, experimental testing, in vitro assessment and in vivo assessment and has a strong knowledge of orthopaedic implants.

In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication skills, presentation skills and academic article writing skills, as well as a knowledge of the relevant academic literature.

• A high level of interpersonal and teamwork skills.

• Report writing skills.

• Time management skills and an ability to work to deadlines.

• Experience in industry-led research and independent research/project management would be advantageous.

Candidates will be assessed on the following competencies:

Discipline knowledge and Research skills – Demonstrates knowledge of a research discipline and the ability to conduct a specific programme of research within that discipline

Understanding the Research Environment – Demonstrates an awareness of the research environment (for example funding bodies) and the ability to contribute to grant applications

Communicating Research – Demonstrates the ability to communicate their research with their peers and the wider research community (for example presenting at conferences and publishing research in relevant journals) and the potential to teach and tutor students

Managing & Leadership skills - Demonstrates the potential to manage a research project including the supervision of undergraduate students

Essential Training

The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety, Data Protection (GDPR) and all Cyber Security Awareness Training. Other training may need to be undertaken when required.

Salary Scale: IUA Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale – (Point 1) €45,847

Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in line with current Government pay policy.

Closing date: Friday, 4th April 2025

For more information on the I-Form Centre, please visit: https://www.i-form.ie/

Informal Enquiries in relation to this role should be directed to:

Dr Tanya Levingstone, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Computing, Dublin City University.

Phone: + 353 (0)1 7007718

Email: tanya.levingstone@dcu.ie

Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.

Application Procedure:

Please submit your application through the online system. In order to be considered for the role to which you are applying for, you must upload:

1) Curriculum Vitae

2) Cover Letter

3) Completed application form (blank forms can be downloaded from the bottom of the Vacancy).