Who got that job?

Jim Richards Professor of biomechanics
Faculty of Health, Central Lancashire University

Job advertised in The Times Higher , February 6

UK athletes won 35 gold medals at this year's Paralympic Games in Athens, a tally bested only by China. But with celebrations barely over, Jim Richards, Central Lancashire University's new professor of biomechanics (the study of movement and forces on the body) is already working towards the 2008 games in Beijing.

Professor Richards gained a BSc in mechanical engineering before going on to his masters in bioengineering and his PhD in the biomechanics of rehabilitation. He then spent nine years lecturing at Salford University.

Professor Richards works in Central Lancashire's Allied Health Professionals Unit in the Faculty of Health, which is just over a year old.

Teaching and research are focused in two areas: physiotherapy and sports therapy.

Professor Richards said: "The willingness of individual faculty to work together was unique in my view, and was one of the main attractions."