Senior Research Associate in Wound detection microbial detection and decontamination (A2510)

This 15 month post (potential renewable) is part of an EPSRC Healthcare technologies Grant aimed at rapid translation of technology into clinical practice. 

This project addresses the development of combination of microbial diagnostic wound dressing and plasma jet / plasma screen into a single product that has the potential to transform community health and care in the treatment of a wide range of wound infections. Healthcare acquired infections cost the NHS ~£1Bn p.a., surgical site infections accounting for ~24.3% of the total cost burden.  [1] With ~111.8 million relevant surgical procedures annually undertaken in the EU and USA, better treatment and early warning of infection would be of considerable clinical benefit. Better treatment of infection would contribute to improved care outcomes in the treatment, management and monitoring of chronic and non-healing wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers. Overall this project targets a global wound management market projected to reach ~$18.3Bn by 2020.

Lancaster University is consistently highly ranked (~top 10) in the UK university league tables.  It is located on a beautiful campus in the North West of England close to the stunning Lake District National Park.

You should have, or expect to have, a PhD in biochemistry or chemically-related sciences, coupled with experience of microbiology, cell culture methods and of the use of plasma technology, either for thin film coating or as plasma jets, to decontaminate microbes.

Informal e-mail enquiries prior to making an application are welcome, in which case contact Prof Rob Short r.d.short1@lancaster.ac.uk or Sarah Allinson s.allinson@lancaster.ac.uk

The Chemistry Department is committed to flexible working on an individual basis, welcome and embrace diversity, and are committed to the Athena SWAN principles.

This post is fixed term to 31 May 2020 in the first instance.

We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.

[1] Health Protection Agency (2012) English National Point Prevalence Survey on Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Use, 2011.

Closing Date: 07 Jan 2019
Category: Research