Research Assistant - Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility (Mskbrf), Cardiff School Of Engineering

The Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility has been awarded EPSRC funding for an exciting research project led by Cardiff University, collaborating with Imperial College London. This post presents an opportunity to work with an internationally recognised research teams (UK, US and Belgium), and industry partners on the development of a Multi-platform pipeline for engineering human knee joint function (ENGIN KNEE). We will be combining state of the art methods, ranging from advanced computer modelling (in silico), through robot driven testing of implanted knees (in vitro), to 3-dimensional X-ray imaging of moving patients (in vivo) with Machine Learning driven analysis, to deliver a knee joint analysis pipeline capable of driving surgical innovation beyond 2030. The work program, based at Cardiff University, and in collaboration with Katholik University Leuven, Belgium and University of Florida, USA, will develop and validate test protocols and musculoskeletal models in the MSKBRF Dynamic X-ray imaging and Motion Analysis Laboratories. Employing state-of-the-art techniques alongside novel concepts, robust institutional and industry collaboration and continuous engagement with clinicians and patients, the project will enable the development of new, realistic, practical musculoskeletal models to understand knee loading and stability in patients having total knee replacement surgery. In your role, you will support and conduct research involving the development and validation of data collection and processing protocols to generate subject specific human dynamic, knee movement and loading models. You will be supporting the data collection in our bespoke, in vivo, dynamic, dual plane X-ray imaging facility, where video X-ray is synchronised with motion capture (marker based and markerless).  Data from patients and healthy volunteers will be generated and processed in collaboration orthopaedic surgeon project partners based at the Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic Centre.  The resulting outputs and new high-fidelity models with provide inputs to the in the bespoke in vitro robot testing facility at Imperial College. This will contribute to the multiplatform pipeline to inform testing and modelling standards and produce open access databases for use across the research community. This post is full time (35 hours per week) from the 1st February 2024 and is fixed term until 31st January 2027.                   Salary:  £32,332 - £34,980 per annum (Grade 5), with expectations that we will appoint at the bottom of Grade 5 point 23, £32,332 per annum For informal enquiries about the post please contact Professor Cathy Holt, Dr David Williams, and Ms Jenny Williams Holt@cardiff.ac.uk, WilliamsD37@cardiff.ac.uk, and WilliamsJ154@cardiff.ac.uk For further details about working at Cardiff School of Engineering please contact Karen Baldwin Enginadmin@cardiff.ac.uk Closing date: Thursday, 1 February 2024 Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. The School of Engineering holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in science. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. For this vacancy we actively encourage women to apply. We will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share opportunities.