Overview
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. This highly interdisciplinary post‑doctoral research associate (PDRA) position will advance the modelling of patients with vertebral metastases for the prevention of fractures in order to reliably stratify patients based on their fracture risk. The position is funded as part of Horizon 2020 European Project https://www.metastraproject.eu/ that aims to provide a combination of models biomechanically validated and demonstrated in relevant clinical environments that will be incorporated in a clinical decision support system. The ideal candidate will have an excellent PhD in biomechanics (or a related discipline), possess solid knowledge of finite element modelling, and have strong experience in developing patient‑specific biomechanical computational models. Ensuring the achievement of the project objectives will advance the vision of the Insigneo institute to produce a transformational impact on healthcare. The PDRA will also sustain and strengthen collaboration within relevant Insigneo research groups and beyond, and will commit to Insigneo’s mission to produce high‑quality cutting‑edge research.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Effectively work with other partners of the project for the segmentation of vertebrae with metastatic lesions.
- Lead the development of subject‑specific finite element models of vertebrae with lesions.
- Work collaboratively with other colleagues for the validation of the finite element models.
- Lead the development of computational models that simulate the treatment of metastatic vertebrae.
- Work collaboratively with other colleagues for the development of finite element models of the spine segment (including vertebrae and intervertebral discs).
- Follow best practices for quality assurance of research software and effective management of research data.
- Self‑organise time to ensure the achievement of the objectives agreed with the line manager and to continue to develop own knowledge in the domain of research.
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of the relevant literature.
- Effectively collaborate with colleagues, co‑workers, partners, etc. to achieve the agreed objectives.
- Proactively seek to develop further collaboration opportunities arising from own work.
- Be actively engaged and participate in all meetings and activities in the collaborative projects in which the IMSB group at Insigneo is currently participating.
- Mentor junior colleagues and PhD students and supervise MEng/MSc dissertation research.
- Interact with other researchers within the department, the Insigneo Institute, the rest of the university and the institutions of our partners in collaborative projects.
- Write papers that are published in internationally peer‑reviewed journals.
- Present work at national and international conferences.
- Write technical reports both for internal monitoring and for reporting to external funding agencies.
- As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Key Criteria
- PhD in biomechanics (or a related discipline) – essential
- Solid knowledge of finite element modelling – essential (application)
- Expertise in using finite element software with high level of sophistication (e.g. user‑subroutines in Abaqus, Ansys) – essential (application/interview)
- Experience working with high‑performance computing (HPC) systems – essential (application/interview)
- Proven track record in drafting and publishing papers in quality journals under supervision – desirable (application/interview)
- Experience participating in large projects and delivering research within deadlines – essential (application)
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills and experience delivering presentations – desirable (application/interview)
- Experience working as a team member to collaborate, cooperate and participate with others to achieve common objectives – essential (interview)
- Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving – essential (application/interview)
- Ability to manage and prioritise own workload effectively, to meet deadlines – essential (application/interview)
- Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances – essential (interview)
Additional Information
Grade: 7
Salary: £38,784 – £47,389 per annum
Work arrangement: Full‑time
Duration: 1st May 2026 – 30 June 2028
Line manager: Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Direct reports: None
Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mac
Informal enquiries: Prof. Damien Lacroix, Professor of Biomedical Engineering:
Next steps in the recruitment process: The selection process will take place week commencing 23rd March 2026. This will be an interview with a brief candidate presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in the week commencing 16th March 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Our Vision: We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision. We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
What We Offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family‑friendly policies
- Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies.
- Support for those going through the menopause.
- Paid time off and support for fertility treatment.
- and more.
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits
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