Research AssistantAssociate in Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering

Salary:

Research Assistant

Research Associate

Newcastle University is a great place to work with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 13 May 2026

The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled motivated Research Associate in Advanced Injectable Biomaterials to join Dr Ana Ferreira-Duartes group. This role contributes to a UKRI-funded programme developing nextgeneration injectable electroactive naturally derived biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering and joint immunomodulation.

The successful applicant will work in a multidisciplinary environment spanning biomaterials formulation electroactive materials conjugation chemistry nanoscale characterisation and immunomodulatory system development. They will design synthesise and characterise electroactive collagen-based hydrogels and fibrous matrices fabricate nanoparticles for controlled immunomodulator delivery and conduct invitro biological assessment.

Applicants must be able to start on 1 September 2026 and must hold or be demonstrably able to obtain the right to work in the UK by that date.

For further information on The School of Engineering please click here

For full details about this vacancy and essential information on how to apply visit our Job Vacancies web page at To apply please complete the online application form upload your CV and provide a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Ana Ferreira-Duarte ().

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and optimise electroactive naturally derived injectable biomaterials (e.g. collagen-based hydrogels and fibrous matrices).
• Apply chemical conjugation and functionalisation techniques including click and bio-orthogonal chemistries to integrate bioactive peptides domains or immunomodulators.
• Design synthesise and characterise immunomodulatory materials-based delivery systems from natural-derived or biocompatible polymers.
• Perform multimodal material characterisation including:
  • AFM (including PFM or other nanoscale electromechanical modes)
  • SEM/TEM
  • Confocal microscopy
  • Rheology
  • FTIR XRD XPS
• Evaluate degradation profiles electroactive behaviour microstructure mechanical properties and injectability.
• Conduct biological assessment including cell viability phenotype ECM deposition and immunomodulatory profiling in vitro.
• Contribute to mechanotransduction studies using dynamic loading systems.
• Collaborate with academic clinical and industrial partners across the project network.
• Disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications conferences and reports.
• Contribute to the supervision of PG students and help foster a collaborative inclusive research culture.
• Manage time effectively to meet project milestones and reporting deadlines.

The Person

Knowledge Skills and Experience

• PhD in Biomaterials Bioengineering Polymer Chemistry Tissue Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Strong evidenced experience with electroactive naturally derived biomaterials (e.g. collagen peptide-based matrices)
• Demonstrated proficiency in chemistry and conjugation techniques including functionalisation of biomaterials
• Proven hands-on expertise in AFM including nanoscale mechanical or electrical characterisation modes
• Experience with multimodal characterisation: SEM/TEM rheology FTIR XPS XRD confocal imaging
• Practical experience in the fabrication optimisation and characterisation of nanoparticles or materials for drug/immunomodulator delivery
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and biological assays to assess biomaterial performance
• Evidence of effective scientific communication (publications presentations)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment
• Strong organisational and timemanagement skills

Desirable

• Experience with responsive biomaterials (mechanical piezoelectric dynamic compression environments)
• Experience with immunomodulatory systems (e.g. macrophages PBMCs)
• Understanding of biomaterialimmune system interactions
• Experience in regenerative medicine or cartilage tissue engineering
• Evidence of industrial engagement or interdisciplinary collaborations
• Evidence of supervision of students

Attributes and Behaviour

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across disciplines
• Commitment to teamwork inclusivity and a supportive research culture
• Proactive approach to problem solving and ability to innovate
• Enthusiasm for research excellence and ambition to contribute to group growth

Qualifications

• A Masters degree (or equivalent) in in a relevant subject such as Biomaterials Bioengineering polymeric chemistry or related discipline (Research Assistant)
• A PhD in (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as Biomaterials Bioengineering polymeric chemistry or related discipline (Research Associate)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a GoldAthena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality CharterBronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 29267