Research Associate: Snail-Inspired Soft Robots for High Precision Drug Delivery to Malignant Tumours

The University of Manchester - Biology, Medicine Health

Location:ManchesterSalary:£37,694 to £41,064 per annum, depending on relevant experienceHours:Full TimeContract Type:Fixed-Term/Contract

Job reference: BMH-031155

Salary: £37,694 to £41,064 per annum, depending on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health

Location: Manchester

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Division of Pharmacy and Optometry

Hours Per Week: 1.0 FTE

Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 21/04/2026

Contract Duration: 24 months from 1 June 2026

School/Directorate: School of Health Sciences

This is an outstanding opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate, with a background in biomaterials, to work within the Peptides BioNanomaterials Group (PBNG) and Experimental Oncology Group under the joint supervision of Dr Mohamed Elsawy and Dr Katie Finegan. The post holder will be part of both groups, which are based at Stopford Building.

The candidate will support the aims of our interdisciplinary project for the engineering of bioinspired soft robots for localised drug delivery, which is funded by the UK Research and Innovation Cross Research Council Responsive Mode fund. This innovative project is part of a cross-Faculty collaboration with colleagues from the Faculty of Science and Engineering and will focus on the rational design of peptide-polymer based responsive hydrogels as soft actuators for the development of bioinspired soft robots for regiospecific drug delivery to colorectal cancer.

This position offers an ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic, well-motivated individual to work as part of a sociable interdisciplinary team consisting of Biomaterial Scientists and Cancer Biologists. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication, teamworking and organisational skills, and will be able to work with minimal supervision. Experience of nanomaterials development and characterisation (molecular, nanoscopic, mechanical and in vitro biological) is essential for the position.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.