Allied Health Professions

Location:  Southampton General Hospital
Salary:   £30,942
Full Time Fixed Term (12 months)
Closing Date:  Monday 23 August 2021
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  1448221CF

University of Southampton and Radii Devices Ltd are offering a unique opportunity to develop biomechanical models to improve the design of respiratory masks. The research position will involve lab-based testing on interface materials used for the manufacture of respiratory masks and the development of computational models to inform design parameters.

Respiratory masks are attached to individuals to manage a number of respiratory disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, and have become a crucial medical device when treating those with COVID-19 who require ventilation. Despite the respiratory benefits of NIV being widely accepted, skin damage complications represent a significant burden to both the individual, in the form of pain and discomfort, as well as the health care provider. Indeed, mask-related skin damage has been shown to range from 5-50% for 2–4 hours of continuous usage and up to 100% after 48 hours of wearing a facemask.

You will work closely with the team at the University of Southampton and Radii Devices, adapting established research methods from previous mask evaluations. In addition you will work with Radii Devices to adapt a computational workflow which has been successfully used to fit sockets for lower limb amputees (www.radiidevices.com) . This will involve developing world-leading parametric biomechanical models, to virtually test the goodness-of-fit across the entirety of the population.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Bench testing of respiratory mask interface materials (adhesive and non-adhesive materials)
• An evaluation of mask design on a cohort of healthy participants (randomised cross-over study)
• Image segmentation from CT/MRI scans

Experience required in:

• Lab testing of medical devices
• Human volunteer studies.

Optional experience/willingness to learn:

• Image segmentation
• Finite Element Analysis

This position is full time for 12 months. 

It is essential that you have a PhD* or equivalent professional qualification in Health Sciences, Bioengineering or related field.

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Application Procedure 

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above.If you need any assistance, please call Sam Stubbs (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750 or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk  Please quote reference 1448221CF on all correspondence.