Research Fellow, Exploring The Impact of Spinal Implant Wear On Ivd Degeneration

Overview:
- 1x full time, fixed term (until May 2027) position available within the School of Engineering. Expected start date June/July 2025.- Salary Academic Level B ($110,868 - $131,659 ) + 17% Superannuation- Based at the Bundoora campus but may be required to work and/or be based at other campuses of the University.

About the Role

As a Research Fellow, you will work with research teams and partnerships in the School and Research Institutes. You will be required to undertake research activities in line with the University’s research strategy. Your independent and/or team research will have a significant impact in the area of your specialisation and be acknowledged at a national level as being influential in expanding the knowledge of your relevant discipline.
- As a Research Fellow, you are expected to plan, develop and engage in high quality research projects that are aligned with the University’s research focus areas. You will embed your research expertise into the life of the School through the development of high-quality, productivity-driven research networks across RMIT and with local and national, internal and external partners. You will be expected to engage in high quality research projects, to achieve success in attracting research funding and to produce high quality outputs.
- About the Project
- The degeneration of adjacent intervertebral discs (IVDs) is a significant clinical concern following total disc replacement (TDR). Traditionally, this issue has been attributed to mechanical load alterations post-implantation. However, emerging evidence suggests that wear particles from spinal implants may also contribute to the degeneration of adjacent IVDs. The precise impact of wear particles on healthy IVD degeneration remains unclear, and the biological response of healthy IVD cells to such particles is yet to be fully elucidated. To address this critical gap, two primary challenges must be overcome:
Currently, there are no established in vitro protocols to generate wear particles that accurately mimic those produced in vivo across various biomaterials used in spinal implants.
- Limitations of Current Culture Models: Existing 2D and 3D cell culture models do not sufficiently replicate the structural complexity and material gradient of native IVDs, making them physiologically irrelevant for studying wear particle interactions. Animal models, while commonly used, are costly and fail to fully capture the human IVD’s biomechanics and biological responses. Similarly, human cadaveric IVDs often exhibit degenerative changes, preventing accurate representation of healthy IVD biology.
- Our research group has recently developed a novel physiologically-relevant in vitro micro-platform that closely recapitulates the native IVD structure and stiffness gradients, enabling advanced mechanobiological wear particle investigations. This project aims to further refine and implement this platform to facilitate precise, cost-effective in vitro studies, addressing the limitations of existing methodologies.

To be successful in this position, you’ll have:
- Evidence of experience in mechanobiology, cell biology and advanced material processing and characterisation is required. Experience in microfabrication and microfluidics is highly desirable.- An emerging track record and recognition for quality research outputs which will contribute to existing Discipline and School research areas evidenced by publications, development of new research initiatives, competitive research funding, and industry links.-
- Ability to build effective networks with colleagues and generate alternative funding projects through effective liaison with industry and government.**Qualifications**:

- Mandatory: PhD or equivalent in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other relevant field.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and covering letter and address the Key Selection Criteria for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.

Position description - Research Fellow
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Applications Close:
15 Apr 2025 11.59 pm
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