Research Associate

Cardiff University - Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility (MSKBRF) - Cardiff School of Engineering

Location: Cardiff

Salary: £41,064 to £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). It is not expected that an appointment be made above Grade 6 Point 32, £41,064 per annum.

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 16th January 2026

Closes: 1st February 2026

Job Ref: 20795BR

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 a Multi-platform pipeline for engineering human knee joint function (ENGIN KNEE). For this project, we will combine 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 conduct research involving the development and validation of subject specific musculoskeletal models, knee movement and loading. These will be generated from data collected 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 in collaboration orthopaedic surgeons who are project partners based at the 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 and contribute to the multiplatform pipeline to inform testing and modelling standards and produce open access databases for use across the research community.

Your main duties would include:

• Working with research collaborators to develop and refine research methodologies and protocols to achieve project goals.
• Developing high fidelity, subject specific, musculoskeletal models from data collected in the laboratory from human research participants, with subsequent analyse and comparison of outputs, according to project requirements.
• Liaising with research team, clinicians, volunteer participants and members of the public regarding the research project aim and objectives and informed consenting processes.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) from the 1st November 2025 and is fixed term until 31st January 2027.

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). It is not expected that an appointment be made above Grade 6 Point 32, £41,064 per annum.

Job ref: 20795BR

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Professor Cathy Holt, Dr David Williams, and Ms Jenny Williams.

Closing date: Sunday, 1 February 2026