ESBiomech24 Congress in Edinburgh

Call for Huiskes Medail nominations

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Call for Huiskes Medal nominations

We are pleased to launch the call for nominations for the Huiskes Medal for Biomechanics, which will be awarded at the 28th ESB congress in Maastricht, 2023. This award is the ESB’s highest scientific tribute, presented in honour of Prof. R. Huiskes, and awarded to senior researchers who have contributed significantly to biomechanics throughout their careers.

Candidate nominations in consideration for the Huiskes Medal for Biomechanics should include:

  1. a letter of nomination that highlights, in maximum 2 pages, the candidate’s career achievements and contributions to biomechanics. The nomination letter should have the following structure and contents:
    • the pioneering, game changing, and/or translational aspects of the research of the candidate, including explicit references to seminal journal articles
    • the impact that the specificity of the Nominee research have had on the biomechanics community, and in specific fields of science, technology and/or medicine
    • Role in scientific societies, founding research groups, service to the scientific community, international acknowledgement, ability to inspire excellent scientists
  2. a full publication list, or a link to an up-to-date online publication list.

The deadline for nominations for the Huiskes Medal for Biomechanics is February 6th, 2023. Submit your candidate nominations to the Chairperson of the ESB Awards.

More details here

Vacancy Editor @ Taylor & Francis: Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering

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Would you like to be the Editor of Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering (CMBBE)?

We are looking for a new Editor/Editorial Team to lead the editorial board of CMBBE. Applicants should have an academic background in biomechanics and biomedical engineering, specifically a high level of multidisciplinary knowledge across the fields of computational biomechanics, biomedical applications and numerical methods, as well as the passion to drive the journal forward. 

The successful candidate(s) will be responsible for editorial oversight and decision-making on submissions. They will have authority to accept articles following successful peer review and will ensure that reviewers and authors adhere to the Journal’s Code of Publishing Ethics. For more information on the role of a journal editor, please click here.

Becoming the editor of a journal is a rewarding and fulfilling experience where you will extend your own networks, promote the research that you are passionate about, increase visibility of your own research and be recognized as a leading figure within the academic community. 

Interested in applying? Here are the skills and attributes we would be looking for in a successful applicant:

·       Someone who is active in the community with strong personal networks

  • Confidence to engage with authors and researchers to solicit the highest quality submissions
  • Strong organizational skills to ensure that submissions are handled in a timely manner
  • The ability to foster positive working relationships with colleagues in the Editorial Board
  • This position may be available as a co-editorship – please note your interest in this in your application.

Submitting your Application

If you would like to apply for the position please forward your CV to Ishtiaque Shams, Portfolio Manager, at Ishtiaque.Shams@tandf.co.uk. 

Deadline for application is 31 October 2019.CMBBE is a leading Journal in the field with the aim to provide a means of communicating the advances being made in the area of computational biomechanics and biomedical engineering with the emphasis being placed on biomechanics. For more formation about the Journal please click here.

PhD in Platelet Biomechanics @ University Medicine Greifswald

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Position

One PhD position is available at University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany within the newly funded Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Transregional Collaborative Research Center (SFB / TR 240) “Platelets – Molecular, Cellular and Systemic Functions under Physiological and Pathological Conditions”. The project will start in July 2018 and runs until June 2022. Salary is based on TV-L (E-13, 65%).

Project Description

The selected candidate will investigate the ‘Role of the Platelet Cytoskeleton in Platelet Biomechanics’. Briefly, circulating platelets are essential players in haemostasis and thrombosis. Interestingly, mutations in several genes of cytoskeletal-regulatory proteins have been identified to cause inherited thrombocytopenia. However, how defects in cytoskeletal-regulatory proteins affect biomechanical properties of platelets and how translates into increased risk of bleeding are only poorly explored. The PhD candidate will have access to relevant disease models and innovative biophysical tools to quantitatively describe the underlying ‘biophysical’ and ‘biomechanical’ aspects of platelet cytoskeleton-associated defects in platelet function.Selected candidate will have access to cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, highly innovative projects in an excellent scientific environment and opportunities to collaborate with national and international research groups.

Our profile

We are an interdisciplinary team consisting of bioengineers, biophysicists and platelet biologists. The PhD candidate will be based in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald (supervised by Dr. Raghavendra Palankar) and will closely collaborate with Dr. Oliver Otto (Group Leader-Biomechanics, ZI HIKE, Greifswald) and Dr. Markus Bender (Group Leader-Megakaryocyte and Platelet, Department of Experimental Biomedicine, University Würzburg).

Your profile

Candidates with a Diploma/Master degree in Natural Sciences (Biology/Bio-Technology/Chemistry/Physics) career interest in biophysics are encouraged to apply. Ideally, the candidate has high interest in cellular biomechanics. The project requires previous experience in at least one or more of the following skills: force spectroscopy, microfluidics, quantitative imaging, MATLAB /Mathematica/COMSOL Multiphysics, data analysis skills and handling of microscopes. Scientific communication skills in English are necessary.Disabled applicants will be preferentially considered in case of equivalent qualification. The University Medicine Greifswald seeks to increase the number of women and therefore explicitly encourages them to apply.

Application

Interested candidates should send their application until August 15th, 2018 including curriculum vitae (max. two pages), one page description of past research experience and contact details of two references to palankarr@uni-greifswald.de preferably as a signle PDF file in an email attachment.

UPF accepts applications for Junior Leader postdocs

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In its quality as a Maria de Maeztu Center of Excellent the DTIC at University Pompeu Fabra accepts applications in the The postdoctoral fellowships programme, Junior Leader “la Caixa”

 

Especially, the Biomechanics and Mechanobiology Lab of the Barcelona Centre for New Medical Technologies (BCN MedTech) is looking for applicants in any of the following fields:

  • Computational multiscale biomechanics
  • Soft/hard tissue multiphysics
  • Multibody dynamics and human movement analysis
  • Computational systems biology of musculoskeletal, arterial and pulmonar tissues
  • Image analyses and machine learning applied to computational biomechanics and systems biology

Should you be interested to apply, please contact Dr Jérôme Noailly (jerome.noailly@upf.edu)

The postdoctoral fellowships programme, Junior Leader “la Caixa” aims to hire excellent researchers—of any nationality—who wish to continue their research career in Spanish or Portuguese territory. . Sponsored by Obra Social ”la Caixa”, the objectives of this programme are to foster high-quality, innovative research in Spain and to support the best scientific talents by providing them with an attractive, competitive environment in which to conduct excellent research.

The Junior Leader programme is divided into two different frames:

  • Incoming: 22 postdoctoral fellowships for researchers of all nationalities. They will be offered a three-year employment contract to conduct a research project at accredited centres with the Severo Ochoa or María de Maeztu distinction of excellence, Institutos de Investigación Sanitaria Carlos IIII and units evaluated as excellent and exceptional by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia of Portugal. For Spanish institutions, candidates must have resided in Spain less than 12 months in the last three years while for Portuguese institutions, candidates must have resided in Portugal less than 12 months in the last three years.
  • Retaining: 11 postdoctoral fellowships for researchers of all nationalities to carry out research at any university or research centre in Spain or Portugal. For Spanish institutions, candidates must have resided in Spain more than 12 months in the last three years while for Portuguese institutions, candidates must have resided in Portugal more than 12 months in the last three years.

By means of a complementary training programme, these fellowships are intended to consolidate research skills and to foster an independent scientific career as an option for the future.

Deadline September 26th 2018!

Apply now

 

 

Postdoc position: COMPUTER MODELING OF THE MECHANO-BIOLOGICAL REGULATION OF ANGIOGENESIS @ CHARITE

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Computer modeling of the mechano-biological regulation of angiogenesis

 

A post-doctoral fellowship is available within the Computational Mechanobiology Group at the Julius Wolff Institute (Charite Medical School in Berlin). This position is funded through a collaboration grant (Research Unit 2165: Regeneration in Aged Individuals) from the German Research Foundation (DFG) to study the mechanical regulation of sprouting angiogenesis during bone regeneration. Research goals are being addressed through a combination of in vitro/in vivo experimentation and computer modeling.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in one or more of the following areas: mechanics, bioinformatics, computational biology and/or computational mechanics. Strong programming and computer modelling skills are required. The position is available for two years with an option to renew provided that adequate progress is made and that the project funding is continued.

The work will be conducted in an interdisciplinary research environment composed of engineers, biologists and clinicians. As a postdoc you will be associated to the Berlin-Brandenburg School of Regenerative Therapies (www.bsrt.de) and benefit from the interaction with international scientists.

 

Interested candidates should submit their curriculum vitae and two references by August 31, 2018. Applications should be sent to: Prof. Sara Checa (sara.checa@charite.de)

PhD Positions in 3D Bioprinting and Multiscale Modeling of Personalized Bone Organoids @ETHZ

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The Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics headed by Prof. Ralph Müller at the Department of Health Sciences & Technology, Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich is offering
PhD Positions in 3D Bioprinting and Multiscale Modeling of Personalized Bone Organoids
The aim of the research is to develop a human-based 3D bioprinted bone organoid model that mimics tissue remodeling of healthy or osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) individuals and to investigate OI pathomechanisms. One of the major challenges in OI patients today is to diminish the risk of bone fractures. OI is a genetically heterogeneous inherited disorder of bone matrix formation and remodeling, characterized by pain and recurrent fractures, impairment in ambulation, short stature and multiple skeletal complications. Currently, there are no pharmacological interventions available that effectively treat or prevent fractures or limb deformities. Animal and in vitro experimental models used as test beds for new pharmacological/implants interventions do not allow a deep understanding of pathomechanisms behind the disease. To facilitate a better approximation to the in vivo situation in humans, in this project, we aim at the development of personalized 3D-bioprinted bone organoids for genetically distinct forms of osteogenesis imperfecta to investigate i) the pathophysiology and the biomechanics of OI bone and ii) the bone fracture repair process in order to find novel treatments for personalized bone repair in OI patients. In addition, computational models can assist in the elucidation of the effects of pharmacological treatments and studying the biological complexity quantitatively while reducing simultaneously time and costs compared to animal studies. The positions will be based at ETH Zurich in close collaboration with the University’s Children Hospital in Zurich. The overall goal of the project is to improve the clinical care for patients affected by osteogenesis imperfecta and provide individualized, evidence-based therapy, rehabilitation, and surgical interventions.
For this highly interdisciplinary project, we currently offer two PhD positions enrolled in the graduate program at ETH Zurich. The successful candidate for the experimental part of the project will hold a master’s degree in Biology, Health Sciences and Technology, Life Sciences or similar field. The candidate should have a strong background in cell and molecular biology. Knowledge in 3D-bioprinting and tissue engineering is advantageous but not required. The successful candidate for the computational part of the project will hold a master’s degree in Computational Sciences, Interdisciplinary Sciences, Electrical, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or similar field and has preferentially a background in imaging, image processing and computational modeling. Knowledge in computer programing (preferentially Python) is advantageous but not required. It is essential that candidates are willing and motivated to work at the interface between biological, engineering and clinical research. Additionally, excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) are required. Knowledge of German is advantageous for the clinical interactions but not absolutely required.

We are looking forward to receiving your online application including a motivation letter, CV, full university transcripts and names and contact details of two references. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.For further information please contact Dr. Marina Rubert at marina.rubert@hest.ethz.ch (no application documents) or visit our group website www.bone.ethz.ch.

Apply now

Six Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher Positions (UK, IT, HU, FR, DE)

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Six Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher Positions

SPINNER (SPINe: Numerical and Experimental Repair strategies) is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Innovative Training Networks (ITN) European Industrial Doctorate (EID) aimed at improving treatments for spine disorders.

SPINNER is recruiting a group of six Bioengineering early stage researchers (ESRs) to be in a position to design the next generation of repair materials and techniques for spine surgery. The project brings together partners from the biomaterials, implantable devices, and computational modelling industries with orthopaedic clinicians and academic experts in cell, tissue and organ scale biomaterials and medical device testing. All projects will be fully grounded in practical industrial and clinical requirements, where the number of patients requiring complex spine surgery is rapidly expanding, and the biomedical engineering industry needs suitably trained, innovators to produce economic solutions to support healthy ageing for the people of Europe.

SPINNER is an academic/ clinical/ industrial partnership and the ESRs will be expected to interact with several partners during their three years of research. The partners are:

For more information, please visit www.spinner-eid.eu.
The ESRs will be recruited for 36 months and be enrolled onto a PhD programme at one of the academic partner institutions. They will expect to spend at least 18 months at a non-academic partner institution.

Early Stage Researcher (ESR) Projects

ESR1: Osteoinductive injectable/ mouldable bone graft substitute for spine repair

Start Date: 01-September-2018
Host institution: University of Sheffield, UK
This ESR will join Insigneo the institute for in silico medicine and will be affiliated with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Industrial Secondment: Finceramica, Italy

Objectives: Development of multisubstituted hydroxyapatite (SrMgHA) to manufacture orthopaedic cements and putties for enhanced bone regeneration in spinal fusion.

Required Skills: This ESR should have or be close to obtaining an Undergraduate degree in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry or a related discipline. Basic knowledge of biomaterials, regenerative medicine, processing of ceramic nanoparticles, chemical/physical characterisation of biomaterials, statistical methods and experience of cell culture is desirable. Chemical laboratory experience is required. The ESR should show highly collaborative attitude, excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Acquired skills: This ESR will specialise in hydroxyapatite based regenerative materials. The project will enable the ESR to develop research and technical skills on physico/chemical characterisation of biomaterials (for example, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), morphological evaluation by SEM, ICP spectrometry, enzymatic degradation test, mechanical testing), materials characterisation techniques (for example, mechanical testing and elemental analysis), basic knowledge on in vitro biological testing to assess the capability of the material to drive bone regeneration, and basic knowledge about organ-level biomechanical testing.

Employability: the profile of this ESR will make him/her employable at medical device companies active in the development and production of synthetic bone graft for bone regeneration in orthopaedic, dental or maxillofacial surgery.

Informal enquiries: Gwen Reilly (g.reilly@sheffield.ac.uk) or Elisa Figallo (efigallo@finceramica.it).

Applications for this position will also need to complete the University of Sheffield’s application procedure, which can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/y85xyj7r.

ESR2: Development of osteoinductive coatings for spinal implants (fusion cages)

Start Date: 01-September-2018
Host institution: University of Sheffield, UK
This ESR will join Insigneo the institute for in silico medicine and will be affiliated with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Industrial Secondment: Finceramica, Italy

Objectives: To develop an osteoinductive coating for cages used in spinal fusion, through exploring the antibacterial properties of multisubstituted apatite.

Required Skills: This ESR should have or be close to obtaining an Undergraduate degree in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry or a related discipline. Basic knowledge of ceramic biomaterials and processing, methodologies for chemical/physical characterisation of biomaterials, statistical methods and experience of cell culture is desirable. Chemical laboratory experience is required. The ESR should show highly collaborative attitude, excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Acquired skills: this ESR will specialise in hydroxyapatite based regenerative materials and devices for orthopaedic application. The ESR will have the opportunity to develop research and technical skills in biological (cell viability) and physico/chemical characterisation of biomaterials (for example, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), morphological evaluation by SEM, ICP spectrometry, enzymatic degradation test, mechanical testing), materials characterisation techniques (for example, mechanical testing and elemental analysis) and basic knowledge of in vitro biological testing. Training will include assessment of mechanical competence at different scales, also in relation to revision of joint replacement. The ESR will acquire project management, communication and analytical skills by working in close collaboration with different steps in product development (production, quality assurance/regulatory, marketing) as described by design control principles.

Employability: the profile of this ESR will make him/her employable at medical device companies developing or commercialising class III products for tissue regeneration particularly in the orthopaedic field.

Informal enquiries: Fred Claeyssens (f.claeyssens@sheffield.ac.uk) or Elisa Figallo (efigallo@finceramica.it).

Applications for this position will also need to complete the University of Sheffield’s application procedure, which can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/y85xyj7r.

ESR3: Integration of clinical experience and in vitro biomechanical testing to improve spinal augmentation

Start Date: 01-November-2018
Host institution: University of Bologna, Italy
This ESR will join the PhD program Health and Technology, an interdisciplinary collaboration bridging the medical and the engineering departments of the University of Bologna, and will be affiliated with the Department of Industrial Engineering.
Industrial Secondment: National Center for Spinal Disorders, Hungary

Objectives: To develop understanding of the failure mechanism of augmented spine segments, focusing both on the vertebrae subjected to vertebroplasty, and adjacent ones.

Required Skills: This ESR should have or be close to obtaining (by 31 July 2018) a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.  Only applicants with a University degree that would allow them to join a PhD program in Italy or in UK can apply, i.e. a University Degree of 3+1 or 3+2 years, or a similar combined degree consisting of a Bachelor followed by a Master corresponding to a total of 4 or more years of legal duration, or a single degree of 4 of more years can apply for admission. Knowledge of biomechanics, orthopaedics and mechanics of materials and structures is essential.  Additionally, experience in mechanical testing, biomaterials, and with clinical environments desirable.

Acquired skills: This ESR will specialise on the problems related to vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and vertebral augmentation. During the first phase, the ESR will become familiar with the clinical environment, and learn the clinical problems related to vertebroplasty. This will include patients with osteoporotic fractures and metastatic lesions. During the second phase, the ESR will learn (in synergy with ESR3) how to develop dedicated biomechanical testing with a focus on vertebroplastic technique.

Employability: The expertise that this ESR will gain will make him/her employable in industries developing regenerative materials, and in test labs.

Informal enquiries: Luca Cristofolini (luca.cristofolini@unibo.it) or Áron Lazáry (aron.lazary@bhc.hu).

ESR4: Sagittal stability: movement analysis before and patient motion after spinal treatments

Start Date: 01-November-2018
Host institution: University of Bologna, Italy
This ESR will join the PhD program Health and Technology, an interdisciplinary collaboration bridging the medical and the engineering departments of the University of Bologna, and will be affiliated with the Department of Industrial Engineering.
Industrial Secondment: National Center for Spinal Disorders, Hungary
Objectives: To develop a comprehensive approach to spinal balance and more in general to spine biomechanics.

Required Skills: This ESR should have or be close to obtaining  (by 31 July 2018) a degree in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline. Only applicants with a University degree that would allow them to join a PhD program in Italy or in UK can apply, i.e. a University Degree of 3+1 or 3+2 years, or a similar combined degree consisting of a Bachelor followed by a Master corresponding to a total of 4 or more years of legal duration, or a single degree of 4 of more years can apply for admission.  Knowledge of biomechanics, orthopaedics and imaging is essential.  Additionally, experience in mechanical testing, numerical modelling, and with clinical environments desirable. anical testing, numerical modelling, and with clinical environments desirable.

Acquired skills: This ESR will gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues related to spinal balance. He/she will get familiar with in vivo methods to assess patients before and after spinal corrections (including imaging and movement analysis), modelling methods to investigate sagittal balance, and in vitro biomechanical tests (in synergy with ESR 3). In the last phase, he/she will familiarise with mechanical testing and experimental stress analysis.

Employability: The profile of this ESR will make him employable by companies manufacturing spine correction devices, but also in clinical centres for movement analysis.

Informal enquiries: Luca Cristofolini (luca.cristofolini@unibo.it) or Áron Lazáry (aron.lazary@bhc.hu).

ESR5: Modelling spinal surgical procedures

Start Date: 01-September-2018
Host Institution: Ansys, France
Academic Institution: University of Sheffield, UK
Objectives: Development of a personalised finite element model of the lumbar spine to simulate spinal repair systems.

Required Skills: This ESR should have or be close to obtaining an Undergraduate degree in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline. Knowledge of finite element modelling and scripting is essential. Knowledge of medical images and image processing is desirable.

Acquired skills: This ESR will specialise in in silico modelling of the spine. The project will give the ESR the opportunity to acquire high skills in computational modelling, in particular in the modelling of the many different tissues that compose the spine. The ESR will acquire knowledge of the multi-scale anatomy and biomechanics of the spine, and the different orthopaedic interventions available (interspinous implant concepts). In addition, the ESR will get a very complete experience in in vitro testing, and integration of experimental and numerical methods.

Employability: This program will enable the trainee to be employable in any orthopaedic company that requires a good understanding of the biomechanics and the effect of medical devices on the body. In addition, the extensive experience in computational modelling will enable the trainee to work in companies requiring expertise in finite element modelling.

Informal enquiries: Michel Rochette (michel.rochette@ansys.com) or Enrico Dall’Ara (e.dallara@sheffield.ac.uk).

ESR6: Statistical shape modelling and reduced order modelling techniques for patient-specific models

Start Date: 01-September-2018
Host Institution: ADAGOS, France
Academic Institution: University of Sheffield, UK

Objectives: The goal is to design a procedure that creates a patient specific in silico model of the spine. This model shall evolve and adapt depending on the real time action of the clinician during the clinical procedure. At each surgical step, the in silico model will test several scenarios and propose to the clinician the best placement of implants. Each possible scenario of implants configuration and order of their placement can be modelled by finite elements model. When the operation is oriented on an individual patient and not on average spinal column, the approach based on resolution of a complete model becomes too computationally expensive, because multiple configurations have to be tested in order to find the optimal one. As a consequence, this approach cannot be efficiently introduced into medical practice. Recently, the AI solutions have proven to be of great interest for medical applications. The main goal of the future ESR will be the introduction of the reduced order model based on machine learning techniques. Both the real medical data and the results of the finite elements analysis will be used for training of this model.

Required Skills: This ESR should have or be close to obtaining a minimum undergraduate Honours degree (UK 2:1 or better) or MSc (Merit or Distinction) in Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Signal Processing, or a related discipline. Knowledge of modelling and simulation is essential. Knowledge of deep learning, artificial intelligent and image processing is desirable.

Acquired skills: The ESR will obtain very strong fundamentals on the deep learning techniques and their applications in biomedical studies, GPU computing.

Employability: The ESR will receive a strong background in deep learning applied to biomechanics and therefore companies requiring modelling expertise in the orthopaedic sector or in the biomedical engineering field, or any other engineering field will be interested in such profile.

Informal enquiries: Kateryna Bashtova (kateryna.bashtova@adagos.com) or Lingzhong Guo (l.guo@sheffield.ac.uk).

Eligibility Criteria

The following eligibility criteria apply for these positions:

  • Mobility: To be eligible for a position, you must not have resided in the same country as the host institution for more than 12 months over the three years leading up to the start date of the position, excluding holidays and (refugee status) asylum application.
  • Early Stage Researcher: An Early Stage Researcher (ESR) shall at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

For general informal enquires about the SPINNER project and the six positions please contact: Gwen Reilly (g.reilly@sheffield.ac.uk) or Luca Cristofolini (luca.cristofolini@unibo.it).

Language Requirements

ESR1, ESR2, ESR5 and ESR6 will need to fulfil the Universities of Sheffield’s English language requirements for PhD registration, which are International English Language Test System (IELTS) 6.5 Overall, with a minimum of 6 in each category. The only exception to this is where your previous degree was in a native English speaking country, no more than five years ago.

For more information please see https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/info/englang.

ESR3 and ESR4 do not have an Italian language requirement, the working language of the laboratory is English. Reasonable English is required, which will be assessed at interview.

Benefits

The MSCA programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment [Living Allowance = 3,700 euro/year (correction factor to be applied per country) + Monthly mobility allowance = 600 to 850 euro depending on the family situation]. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all ESRs will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences. The approximate gross salary stated above is subject to employers statutory deductions and the amount varies according to the living costs of the host country.

PhD fees will be covered by the project grant.

Overseas (non-EU) applicants

Overseas applicants are welcome, please indicate if you require the host institution to sponsor your work visa.

Application

Please complete the application form, and upload a one-page application letter and a three-page curriculum vitae as PDF files, where requested within the form. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 15th May 2018.

Applications for ESR1 and ESR2 will also have to complete the University of Sheffield’s application process, which can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/y85xyj7r.

Please note it is only necessary to apply for ONE single ESR position, only one application per person will be considered during the shortlisting process. If you are interested in a second position, please state this in the form and in your application letter.

PhD position scaffold characterisation, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche (Alicante) SPAIN

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University: Bioengineering Institute. Miguel Hernandez University, Elche (Alicante) SPAIN
Requirements for candidates:
a) Be in possession of a University Degree of Bachelor, Engineer, Architect, University Graduate with at least 300 ECTS credits or Master’s Degree, or equivalent in your country, by a non-Spanish institution, in the scientific field that corresponds to the project of research to which your contract will be linked, and having completed those studies after January 1, 2014.
b) Knowledge of Spanish or English, at the conversation level, suitable
for the development of the research work. (B1 English and/or Spanish certificate, depending on nationality)
Research project: Synthesis, characterization and biocompatibility of scaffolds made with third generation ceramic materials
Salary Monthly remuneration of 1,479.28€; and the 25.02% social security
fee, 370.12€ (12 payments). An additional provision of 1,600€ is included, destined to travel expenses and establishment in Elche-Alicante-Spain of the person hired.
Duration: The predoctoral contract will be formalized for one year; renewable up to 3 (Contract start date will be July 1, 2018).
More information: Piedad De Aza (piedad@umh.es) subject: Santiago Grisolia.

Postdoctoral researcher position McGill University

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Posting POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
Position Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher
Hiring Unit: School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Name of Immediate Supervisor: Nicole Li-Jessen
Location of Work: 8/F, 2001 McGill College Avenue, Montreal, Canada
Work Schedule: 35 hours/ week
Working Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (work hours negotiable)
Planned Start Date & End Date:

(if applicable)

 September 2018 (possibility of three years)
Salary Range:

(minimum as per collective agreement)

 CAD $42,000 – $47,000 depending on experience and qualifications
Posting Period:

(start and end date of posting)

 Now
PRIMARY DUTIES
We are seeking a highly motivated junior-level postdoctoral researcher to join the Voice Research Laboratory at McGill University in Canada. This appointment is expected to begin in September 2018 (start date negotiable). The Voice Research Laboratory at McGill focuses on advancing personalized medicine in laryngology through the development of numerical simulations, wearable devices, non-invasive diagnostics and tissue engineering products. This is a unionized position   at McGill University.

The successful applicant will work on highly interdisciplinary research projects in computational biology and translational research. The primary duty of this position is to further develop existing agent-based models for vocal fold biomaterial design and tissue reconstruction. Additional training on wet lab skills, advance microscopy and tissue mechanics are available if the applicant is interested in.
 QUALIFICATIONS

A Ph.D. or equivalent degree in computational biology, biomedical engineering, or related quantitative scientific discipline is required by the time the appointment begins.

The applicant should have expertise and experience in multiscale computational modeling and analysis of biological systems. Skills in numerical simulations, e.g., development of agent-based models using C/C++ and/ or Matlab/Mathematica, experience in sensitivity analysis, model calibration and  verification, as well as implementation of mathematical descriptions of physical biological processes are required. Applicants with advanced computational training as well as knowledge of cellular biology and tissue biomechanics are preferred.

Proven track record in peer-reviewed publications in related fields is expected. Qualified candidates should be highly self-motivated and possess the ability to work independently, as well as in a multidisciplinary collaborative environment. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and oral and written technical and scientific English communication skills are required.

The applicant will work closely with the team under direct supervision of Dr. Nicole Li-Jessen and with

our mechanical engineering and clinical collaborators at McGill University and other institutions in Canada and the United States. The applicant will have the opportunity to work on advanced, challenging research projects, primarily through development of predictive multiscale models in the field of vocal scarring and tissue engineering. If interested, the applicant can also lead or participate in relevant projects available in the lab.

Candidates are encouraged to apply by May 31, 2018. Applications will be reviewed until the position is

filled. Please send the application to Dr. Nicole Li-Jessen nicole.li@mcgill.ca.

  1. Cover letter
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Research statement (1-page)
  4. Three references with contact information
  5. Publications if applicable

PhD position in Marseille, France: Ultrasound stimulation of bone regeneration

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Supervisor: Cécile Baron
contact: cecile.baron@univ-amu.fr
Institut des Sciences du Mouvement UMR 7287 CNRS – AMU Web site : http://www.ism.univmed.fr/baron

Co-Supervisor: Carine Guivier-Curien
contact : carine.guivier@univ-amu.fr
Institut de Recherche sur les Phénomènes Hors Equilibre UMR 7342 CNRS – AMU Web site: https://www.irphe.fr/~guivier

Bone is a living material capable of regenerating to adapt itself to the mechanical stresses of its environment through

the process of bone (re)modelling. Unfortunately, despite its amazing healing capacity, 5 to 10% of fractures show

delayed or non-union fractures.

Who doesn’t know anyone who has suffered a bone fracture? The causes of a bone fracture can be very different in nature: trauma, stress (fatigue fracture), idiopathic or congenital bone diseases and disorders, bone metastases, therapeutic treatments such as prostheses implant, bone lengthening or tumor resection. Although the field of bone regeneration has made great advances in recent decades, coupling personalized diagnosis and optimal treatment of bone fracture remains a challenge due to the large number of variables to be taken into account. In-silico models can help to better understand this complexity and thus improve the understanding of bone regeneration processes.

Ultrasound in medical applications is best known for diagnostic devices such as B-mode imaging. The advantages of ultrasound imaging compared to conventional medical imaging modalities such as X-ray or MRI are numerous: non-invasive, non-destructive, non-irradiating, non-ionizing, low-cost and portable devices that can be used at the bedside. These characteristics take on a particular resonance in the case of pediatric care. But ultrasound can also be a therapeutic vector.

Ultrasound stimulation of bone regeneration (USBR), initially controversial, is now recognized by the scientific and medical communities. The first clinical observation of the effect of ultrasound on bone healing was reported in the 1950s (Corradi and Cozzolino, 1953). Since the 1980s, USBR has contributed to a number of scientific publications: cell culture (Fung 2014; Puts 2016), animal model (Duarte 1983, Pilla 1990, Azuma 2001), clinical study (Malizos 2006), which has aroused controversy and today has a consensus in its favour. In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of ultrasound stimulation in medical and paramedical fracture treatment protocols, and a device based on this principle is sold by Bioventus (Exogen®). However, the underlying multiphysical processes remain poorly understood (Padilla 2014).

In parallel with studies that focus on understanding biological processes in response to USBR (from cell to organ), there are many works on bone mechanotransduction. Mechanotransduction is the translation of a mechanical stimulus into a biological response. The mechanotransduction of bone associated with bone repair is complex, multi- scale and multi-physics. The impossibility of conducting in-vivo experiments reinforces the need to develop

theoretical and numerical models such as the one described in this project.

The project proposes to create a bridge between these two communities, that of mechanics and that of biologists and

clinicians by developing a finite element (FE) numerical model under Comsol Multiphysics simulating the ultrasound stimulation of a human bone in a configuration close to the in-vivo configuration. Bone is a multi- component, multi-scale tissue and interaction with ultrasound requires a “tissue to cell” model.

The thesis work is divided into 2 issues:

  1. – Morphometric and physical characterization of double cortical porosity – The bone is considered here as a medium with 2 porosity levels: vascular (Ø~100 µm) and lacuno-canalicular (Ø~100nm – 10 µm). One of the key parameters of Biot modeling is the permeability of the poroelastic medium. To date, the experimental measurement of the permeability of the lacuno-canalicular network (LCN) is inaccessible. Therefore, LCN permeability is estimated by theoretical or experimental approaches coupled with numerical/analytical models and ranges from 10- 17 to 10-25 m2 (Cardoso 2013).

Recent advances in X-ray imaging provide a better estimate of LCN morphometry in 3D giving access to a realistic estimate of the flow. Thanks to these investigation ways, the aim is to assess LCN permeability of the cortical bone which will feed the digital model.

  1. – Estimation of the mechanical effects induced by ultrasound (US) on bone cells – This part of the study concerns 2 scales and several physics using an FE model (Comsol Multiphysics). Ultrasound stimulation is generated at the bone tissue level considered as a poroelastic medium and the study target is the biological response pilot bone cell, at the microscopic scale.

A better understanding of the US stimulation mechanisms on bone remodeling makes it possible to envisage various applications: aid in the treatment of fractures, optimization of callotasis treatment (bone elongation), treatment of bone metastases, aid in peri-prosthetic healing, etc.

References

Azuma Y. et al. 2001, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 16 : 671–680.

Cardoso, L. et al., 2013. Journal of Biomechanics, Special Issue: Biofluid Mechanics, 46: 253–65. Corradi, C., Cozzolino, A., 1953. Archivio di Ortopedia 66 (1), 77–98.

Duarte, L. R., 1983. Archives of Orthopaedic and Traumatic Surgery 101: 153–59. Fung, C-H et al. 2014. Ultrasonics 54: 1358–65.

Malizos, K. et al. 2006.  Injury 37 (1, Supplement): S56–62. Padilla, F. et al., 2014.  Ultrasonics 54 (5): 1125–45.

Pilla, A.A. et al. 1990.  Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 4 : 246–253.

Puts, R., et al. 2016. IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control 63 (1): 91–100.

Candidate Profil

The candidate will have a solid background in fluid and solid mechanics and numerical modelling skills. Knowledge in biomechanics and/or acoustics will be a bonus. The proposed topic is an open and exciting one that requires tenacity and initiative.

Applications

Applications will be sent by e-mail to Cécile Baron (cecile.baron@univ-amu.fr) and Carine Guivier-Curien (carine.guivier@univ-amu.fr) and will include M2 transcripts, a CV, a letter of motivation and any letters of recommendation.

This thesis is proposed in the framework of the inter-ED AMU call for projects (https://college-doctoral.univ-amu.fr/fr/appel- a-projet-inter-ed). The results of the awarding of the 6 doctoral contracts will be notified at the beginning of June following the

hearings of the 12 pre-selected projects.

Corporate members of the ESB:

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BoB Biomechanics logo
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