Wound Research Scientist (KTP Associate)

University of Hull

Frontier Therapeutics Ltd, in partnership with the University of Hull is looking to recruit a highly driven graduate with relevant biomedical skills who will lead the implementation of appropriate models to demonstrate efficacy of a prototype radio frequency-based medical device to support the care of hard-to-heal wounds. Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, impose a significant burden on the NHS, costing £8.3 billion annually, and severely impact quality of life.

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project is an exciting and rare opportunity that will bring together knowledge of wound models, medical device design and implementation to deliver a validated prototype device. Working in synergy with a second KTP associate with expertise in plasma physics, you will evaluate the developed device to demonstrate its efficacy, safety and benefit for patients.

Frontier Medical Group is a market-leading provider of a range of specialist medical devices to healthcare professionals in the UK and internationally. The University of Hull’s Wound Innovation Centre is at the forefront of UK wound research. It brings together world-leading biologists, engineers and clinical staff to deliver fundamental insight into the mechanisms of wound repair. Supported by £48M investment from Research England and industry, cutting-edge technology, close working with the NHS, and a suite of translational research models, the centre provides a unique environment to develop and evaluate exciting new advanced wound technologies in key areas of unmet clinical need.

The Opportunity

You will lead this high-profile and strategically meaningful project, allowing you to apply your academic achievements in an industrial setting. You are expected to have the confidence and ability to manage your own workloads to ensure outputs. You will receive practical and formal training, gain marketable skills, broaden your knowledge and expertise within an industrially relevant project, and be supported by both industrial and academic mentors. You will work closely with the second associate and have joint responsibility for engaging with and embedding new knowledge within both the business partner and the Universities.

Specific duties include:

• To establish appropriate biological testing facilities at Frontier Therapeutics R&D site in Cardiff.
• To lead on pre-clinical product development strategy and end user engagement.
• To apply your knowledge of wound biology and clinical implementation to evaluate the safety and efficacy of prototype plasma devices for wound management.
• To work closely with the second KTP associate to support plasma development activities.
• To work closely with the wider KTP team to align goals and ensure project delivery.
• Work with multiple departments and specialisms to facilitate knowledge transfer between the University of Hull, University of York and Frontier Medical Group.
• Willingness to learn new concepts and engage with them proactively and constructively.
• Prepare and present progress reports at Local Management Committee (LMC) meetings and other project-related meetings and fora.
• Undertake generic and bespoke training aspects of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme, including CPD.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Needed

• PhD in Biomedical science or other relevant discipline.
• Hands on experience of developing, implementing and/or validating wound models.
• Relevant experience of working in a commercial and/or industrial environment
• Knowledge of the wound regulatory landscape and/or pre-clinical testing pathways.

This role is fulltime (40 hours) for a fixed-term period of 34-months based at the company partner’s premises in Cardiff.

For informal enquiries: please contact Prof. Mat Hardman (m.hardman@hull.ac.uk) or Holly Wilkinson (h.n.wilkinson@hull.ac.uk).