research associate/senior research associate (in smart functional block copolymer synthesis)

The role

A postdoctoral Researcher (PDRA) position in advanced block copolymer synthesis of smart functional materials for soft robotic actuation, artificial muscles and smart materials applications is available to support the activities of the University of Bristol and School of Chemistry on the £7 million ($9.6 million / €7.9 million) EPSRC-funded project “emPOWER: in-body artificial muscles for physical augmentation, function restoration, patient empowerment and future healthcare”. This project will develop soft robotic, smart materials and bio-interfacing technologies for implantable artificial muscles. It will target critical global healthcare needs including stroke rehabilitation, reversing age-related frailty and sarcopenia and restoration of body functions which have been affected by muscle dysfunction. The project will run for five years in the first instance from March 2021 and this PDRA positions is available for the full five-year length of the project. While we target implantable technologies for 2050, throughout the project we will also undertake development of non-implantable soft robotics, actuators and materials for rapid high-impact publication and exploitation.
We are looking for a world-class polymer chemist with a high degree of innovative spirit and enthusiasm to operate at the very cutting edge of materials synthesis for robotics and healthcare research. You will join a vibrant and exciting research project led by the University of Bristol with partners University College London, Imperial College London and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and will work with 20 leading professors and clinicians and a team of 17 research and technical staff across multiple disciplines including soft robotics, materials engineering, tissue and bioengineering, bio-interfacing, synthetic biology and surgery. The position will be based in the Faul Research Group (https://faulresearchgroup.com), within School of Chemistry (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/chemistry/) in the Faculty of Science. You will have access to world-class infrastructure and facilities within the School of Chemistry (NMR, MS, Chemical Imaging Suite (EM/AFM), X-ray). The successful candidate will work closely with Faul Research Group members working on related soft robotics project, as well as project partners in the Biomaterials Engineering group (bioMEG)), the Bristol Soft Robotics Laboratories (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/softlab) and the Faculties of Engineering and Life Sciences.

What will you be doing?

During this project you will synthesize and develop novel functional and smart polymer architectures and materials towards fully implantable artificial muscles. This will involve:
Synthesis and characterisation of functional polymer-based systems.
Working with a multidisciplinary bioengineering and robotics team to optimise function and structure of the synthesized polymer systems.
Interact with leading clinicians on the route to the clinical translation of the implantable artificial muscles.

You should apply if

You have, or are expected to receive a PhD in polymer chemistry
You are keen to work at the cutting edge of functional smart polymer systems, soft robotics, artificial muscles and healthcare robotics research and development
You are excited about working in a multi-disciplinary team to explore disruptive artificial muscles technologies beyond state-of-the-art.



We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.  « Return to the search results