ESBiomech23 Congress in Maastricht

PhD position in Computer mechanobiology of mandibular reconstruction @Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin

A PhD position is available within the Computational Mechanobiology Group at the Julius Wolff Institute (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin), led by Prof. Sara Checa. This position is funded through a research grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG) to investigate the biomechanics of mandibular reconstruction with fibular free flap.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in one or more of the following areas: mechanics, 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.

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

The position will remain open until the position is filled. Applications should be sent to: Prof. Sara Checa (sara.checa@charite.de)

Postdoc position in data-driven modelling for endovascular thrombectomy @CIMNE Barcelona

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the project MECA-ICTUS, a 3-year project funded under the Generación de Conocimiento 2022 call of Agencia Estatal de Investigación. In MECA-ICTUS we will pursue the development of computational mechanics and machine learning tools for predicting the success of endovascular thrombectomy, an urgent intervention for the removal of thrombi in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

The selected candidate will be responsible of 1) development of computational mechanics tools within an on-going Finite Element framework in Julia language, in which the PI and collaborators have worked during the last 4 years, and 2) development of machine learning models to predict the success of the intervention.

The project is meant to ensure the professional growth of the selected candidate. He/she will work in CIMNE/LaCàN (UPC), an enriching environment with a strong expertise in computational mechanics, biomechanics and data-driven modelling. The project will also involve exchanges with international researchers in France, Italy and USA as well as continuous exchanges with clinicians to ensure the adequacy of the numerical developments.

For applications, please see details below.

For any enquiries don’t hesitate to reach the project PI, Miquel Aguirre (miquel.aguirre@upc.edu). No application will be accepted by e-mail.

 Required skills:

  • A PhD in applied mathematics or engineering in the field of computational mechanics.
  • Strong knowledge of nonlinear continuum mechanics.
  • Programming experience in scientific computing.
  • Experience in the development of finite element software.
  • Writing and communication skills.

Other valued skills (not mandatory):

  • Experience in the development of machine learning models.
  • Experience in Julia programming.
  • Experience in the development of nonlinear solid mechanics solvers, involving large deformations and/or contact and/or fracture.
  • Experience in preprocessing medical imaging data for patient-specific simulations.

Qualification system:

The requisites and merits will be evaluated with a maximum note of 100 points. Such maximal note will be obtained summing up the following points:

  • Publication and career track: 10%
  • Previous research and/or academic experience in the field of the position: 20%
  • Programming skills: 20%
  • Language and communication skills: 20%
  • Interview: 30%

Candidates must complete the “Application Form” form on our website, indicating the reference of the vacancy and attaching the required documents.

The deadline for registration to the offer ends on September 30, 2023 at 12 noon.

The preselected candidates may be requested to send the documentation required in the “Requirements” and “Merits” sections, duly scanned, and may be called to go through selection tests (which might be of eliminatory nature) and / or personal interviews.

Proyecto PID2022-136668OA-I00 financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ FEDER, UE

Further details and application link: https://www.cimne.com/vnews/m973/11967/vac-2023-49-%E2%80%93-postdoc-position-in-data-driven-modelling-for-endovascular-thrombectomy

University Assistant (Prae-Doc) in Computational Biomechanics @ TU Wien, Vienna, Austria

The Research Unit Computational Biomechanics, ILSB, TU Wien is currently looking for a university assistant (prae-doc) for 30 hours/week (for expected four years). The expected start is November 2023.

More information can be found by following this link:

https://jobs.tuwien.ac.at/Job/215947?culture=en

Application deadline: 21.9.2023

PhD position on neuro-musculo-skeletal analysis of human movement in real time including muscle fatigue @ University of Coruña

A pre-doctoral contract is offered (former FPI scholarships) at the University of Coruña (Spain), associated with the national project “Capture, reconstruction and neuro-musculo-skeletal analysis of human movement in real time, with consideration of muscle fatigue“, financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

The project summary is as follows:

PhD position in multiscale modeling of the intervertebral disc to predict the relationship between of degenerative processes and systemic low grade inflammation @Universitat Pompeu Fabra

The Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) research group is currently looking for a PhD Candidate working on multicellular models to describe the dynamics of the long-term mechanobiological regulation of the intervertebral disc (IVD), and the effect of low-grade inflammation on such immune-privileged organ.

The IVD lies within the vertebras, providing flexibility to the spine and is, therefore, constantly subjected to complex loading conditions. It reflects the biggest avascular structure of the human body, where cell nutrition is diffusion dependent. Hence, cells within the IVD are constantly subjected to a demanding loading and nutrition environment.

Dynamics at the (multi-) cellular level, related to this harsh environment are currently thought to be a main driving force in the dynamics of IVD degeneration, given the highly load-bearing capacity of the IVD at the organ level. IVD degeneration accounts for over 40% of cases of low back pain, which affects over 80% of the world’s population at least once in an individual’s lifetime, which emphasizes the need for investigation.

IVD degeneration is a slow process, developing over months to years without being perceived by the person, therefore, classified as a “non-communicable disease”. Research suggests that the presence of proinflammatory cytokines plays a critical role in IVD degeneration, and being possibly a major regulator of non-communicable diseases in general, which includes systemic diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) and atherosclerosis (AS).

The European Research Council Consolidator Grant (ERC CoG) funded project O-Health (101044828) aims at shedding light to the role of low-grade inflammation in non-communicable diseases. This PhD thesis will be part of the O-Health research project, focusing on the relationship between low-grade inflammation and IVD degenerative processes.

Job description:

The PhD Candidate will develop in silico models to approximate the regulation of IVD degeneration with emphasis on the role of low-grade inflammation within the intervertebral disc. The work encompasses various in silico modeling techniques to cover the multiple spatial scales, i.e. from a subcellular up to a multicellular level, required to adequately model regulations of inflammatory and degenerative processes. Those techniques include primarily network modeling and Agent-based modeling approaches. The IVD multiscale model developed by the PhD Candidate forms part of a large network of interconnected models that simulate other non-communicable diseases such as OA and AS and their connection via the blood stream. Hence, the PhD candidate will tightly collaborate with a team of computer scientists, data scientists, biomechanicians and experts in (cell-)biology.

The work contract covers funding for a period of up to four years. It will be led by the BMMB research lab, which forms part of the research unit BCN MedTech, at the Department of Communication and Information Technologies (DTIC) of the University Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain.

More information:

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/131905

Two open post-doctoral positions @Lund University

We have two open post-doctoral positions in our team – one experimental related to image analsyis of soft knee tissues, and one numerical related to computational modeling of tendon mechanics. 

1: Experimental synchrotron imaging of soft knee tissues:

We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher focusing on synchrotron imaging and image analysis to join our team.  The goal for the post-doc is to develop, perform and primarily analyze data from high resolution experimental imaging of soft tissues, acquired mainly using synchrotron phase contrast X-ray tomography, but also other imaging modalities. The goal includes characterizing meniscus and cartilage microstructure and its relation to loading, based on in situ loading experiments during imaging.

The link to the full advertisement and application system is below:

https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:631105/type:job/where:4/apply:1

Application deadline:  6th of July

Please contact Prof. Hanna Isaksson (hanna.isaksson@bme.lth.se) with any questions.

2: Numerical modeling of achilles tendon mechanics and/or mechanobiology:

We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher in computational modeling of tendons. This position is within a larger ERC-funded project (Tendon_MechBio) with the scope to elucidate how mechanical loading affects tendon mechanics and tendon regeneration. There is a possibility to employ up to two postdoctoral researchers with the following two aims. 

  1. To investigate how mechanical loading influences healing tendon function, structure and composition. The project includes further developing and validating an existing adaptive mechanoregulatory model for tendon repair. This will be based on collected experimental data. The developed computational scheme will be important for the project to elucidate the mechanobiological mechanisms at play. 
  2. To develop detailed structural and anatomical computational models of the tendon tissue, in order to understand how mechanical loading influences tendon function, structure and composition. The computational modeling will be based on unique collected experimental data. The detailed structural models will be key in the project to elucidate the mechanisms guiding the tendon organ and tissue level response to load. 

Applicants can present preferences between aim 1 or 2, or state interest in both options.

The link to the full advertisement and application system is below:

https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:630270/type:job/where:4/apply:1

Application deadline: 6th of July

Please contact Prof. Hanna Isaksson (hanna.isaksson@bme.lth.se) with any questions.

PhD candidate on lattice structures applied to improve prosthetic sockets for amputees @University of Navarra

Description:

Amputee cases increase due to vascular diseases between elderly people, and mainly due to traffic accidents or war injuries in younger people. A prosthetic socket is the critical interface between a person’s body and their prosthetic device. Prosthetic sockets are traditionally made by rigid materials, which are not thermoregulatory and cause irritations, wounds and ulcerations. Hence, amputee comfort is still a challenging research field.

This position offers the possibility of researching in innovative lattice structures to design and optimise traditional sockets, and hence improve quality of life of the increasing young amputee population in the world.

Department:

Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials of Tecnun, the Engineering School of the University of Navarra. During the PhD, the student will have the opportunity to do a placement at a foreign university or research center. The research project will be carried out in collaboration with the Clinica Universidad de Navarra.

Requirements:

– Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar degrees.

– Language: Highly proficient in English.

– Software: Finite Element software (ABAQUS), basic programming in Matlab, Python, Computer Aided Design software (Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, CREO).

– To have initiative for research.

Offered:

Tecnun, the Engineering School of the University of Navarra offers a 4-year doctoral contract at the Technological Campus in San Sebastian (Spain).

Thesis should be completed in 4 years.

Start date: As soon as possible.

Documentation:

Send the following documentation by email to alopez@unav.es: cover letter describing your motivation as a thesis candidate; updated CV; undergraduate and Master’s degree transcripts.

Postdoc position on Computational modeling of drug-toxin interactions in the kidney @Maastricht University

The department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering (cBITE) at the MERLN Institute for Technologyinspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University in the Netherlands invites applications for a postdoctoral position. The post-doctoral researcher will perform cutting-edge research in computational modeling methods applied to drug-toxin interactions in the kidney. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. Gradual decline in kidney function leads to accumulation of metabolic waste products (toxins) normally excreted by the kidneys, contributing to progression of CKD and its comorbidities, in particular cardiovascular disease. To alleviate the CKD complications, patients are routinely treated with many drugs, such as antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering agents. However, the transporter proteins in kidney cells that handle these drugs are also responsible for secreting the toxins, and may, therefore, not be able to handle the competing demands. Considering the multitude of CKD drugs, toxins and transporter proteins and their potential interactions, investigating drug-toxin interactions is experimentally time consuming and difficult to accomplish. In this project, funded by the Dutch Kidney Foundation (https://nierstichting.nl/), we propose to integrate computational and experimental expertise with state-of-the-art technologies to address investigate drug-toxin interactions in the kidney and improve CKD drug treatments.

Project description: 

  • Computational modeling of drug-toxin transport in the proximal tubule; (competitive) binding kinetics;
  • Sensitivity analysis;
  • Analysis and integration of various in vitro/in vivo data for model calibration;
  • Parameter optimization.

Application deadline: 29 June 2023

More information:

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/328781/postdoc-position-merln-computational-modeling-of-drug-toxin-interactions-in-the-kidney/

PhD Scholarship: A computational platform for understanding bone structure optimisation @QUT/MSME

Institutes: Queensland University of Technology (QUT, Australia), and University of Paris Est Creteil (UPEC, France) — Multiscale modeling and simulation lab (MSME UMR 8208 CNRS).

Supervisors: Prof. Peter Pivonka (QUT, peter.pivonka@qut.edu.au) and Prof. Vittorio Sansalone (MSME UPEC, vittorio.sansalone@u-pec.fr)

Résumé: We seek to better understand how cortical bone is affected by osteoporosis and drug treatments. The successful PhD candidate will develop state-of-the-art computational models of bone remodeling to predict changes in cortical porosity and bone matrix properties due to osteoporosis and other treatment regimens. The in-silico results will be validated by experimental data provided by Prof David Cooper (USASK). Project areas include:

• Development of continuous, i.e. based on partial differential equations, models of bone remodeling to investigate the behaviour of basic multicellular units (BMUs) in cortical bone;

• Development of discrete, i.e. cellular automata based, models of BMU behaviour in cortical bone;

• Development of multiscale models of bone remodeling and adaptation that are able to predict changes in cortical porosity and bone tissue mineral density distribution.

Closing date: Applications will be accepted until the scholarship is awarded, but applications will be assessed starting June 25th, 2023.

More information (salary, essential and desirable criteria, etc.):


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