A PhD position is available within the Computational Mechanobiology Group at the Julius Wolff Institute (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin). This position is funded through a research grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG) to investigate the mechanobiology of tissue regeneration following different spinal surgical interventions. The work will be carry out in the framework of a national consortium (DFG funded Research Unit) where clinicians, engineers, material scientists, mathematicians and biologists will be investigating the dynamics of the spine in healthy and pathological conditions and its relation to low back pain. Research goals will be addressed using computer modeling approaches coupled to in vivo and in vitro experimental data that will be provided by consortium partners.

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 three years.

The work will be conducted in a highly interdisciplinary research environment. 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.

Interested candidates should submit their application including two references by October 1st, 2021. Applications should be sent to: Prof. Sara Checa (sara.checa@charite.de)

Limb deformities in children motivate frequently pediatric orthopedic consultations, because of angular (genus valgus / varus), torsional (internal / external torsion) or longitudinal (leg length discrepancy) bone growth disorder, or combinations thereof. We currently apply guided growth techniques with implants that temporarily block the physis. These techniques correctly solve genu valgus but are not as effective for genu varus or leg length discrepancy and are not effective for torsional or combined deformities. In addition, these techniques often lead to complications such as the emergence of deformities in other planes or the change of epiphyseal joint shape.

The objective of the present PhD project is to create a computational model of physical growth that allows to customize the treatment of a specific deformity through individualized designs of implant and the ability of the devices to correct the deformity with the greatest efficiency and the shortest time. It is part of a larger scale project that combines the physeal surgery in experimental animal (pig) and computer developments for the simulation model of physial growth, in collaboration with the children Hospital Sant Joan de Deu (SJDD), Barcelona.

The computational model development stands for the core of the proposed PhD thesis at BCN MedTech. It will combine image analysis and mechanobiological theories of epiphyseal bone growth, through finite element modelling, to simulate different growth guidance systems made of plates or screws. The model will be uniquely calibrated and validated against it ability to recreate and correct deformities against the experimental animal model. Eventually, it will be transferred to the physiological characteristics of the human bone, leading to a pipeline of models and simulations to properly plan the surgical correction of growth deformities in patients.

More information can be found here:

Application: Please send: · Full CV · motivation letter · two reference letters · Academic transcripts to jerome.noailly@upf.edu by August 31th, at the latest.

The University of Rostock offers you a diverse, varied and challenging job in a tradition-conscious, innovative, modern and family-friendly university in a lively city by the sea. At the Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Sports Sciences, Chair of Biomechanics we are offering the following position, subject to allocation of funds, as of 01.09.2021, for a limited period until 01.09.2024:

Field of activity

– Research on biomechanics and control of the human leg e.g. in rotational movements, lateral movements or also locomotion under perturbations with the aim of scientific qualification.

– Conduct experiments, modeling, and simulations as part of guided and independent research activities.

– Development of study designs and experimental setups in a new laboratory to be established.

– Optional construction of simple bouncing and walking robots to demonstrate theoretical concepts

– Publication of research results – Contribution to third-party funding research proposals

– Scientific teaching in an amount of 3 semester hours in theoretical and/or practical courses with a focus on research-based transfer of knowledge and skills in order to teach students to conduct independent scientific research

– Involvement in academic self-government

Recruitment

– Completed (or soon to be completed) academic studies (state examination, diploma, master’s degree or comparable degree) e.g. sports or exercise science, engineering, physics, mathematics or comparable studies with at least good results

– Experience with mathematical modeling and simulations

– Strong interest in the study of how the musculoskeletal system generates movement

– Confident knowledge of the German and English languages, both written and spoken

– Ability to work in a team, communication skills and interest in working in interdisciplinary work groups

– Personal relation to the field of sports

– Willingness to work seriously and with commitment on a project of one’s own scientific qualification.

More information:

Herr Prof. Dr. Christian Rode, christian.rode@uni-rostock.de

Application deadline: 30 June 2021

We invite applications for a of a PhD position (University Assistant) in experimental micro- and nanobiomechanics. The position is set within a vibrant research group with a main focus on mechanics of individual collagen fibrils and micromechanics of collagen-rich tissues. The research project to be addressed is two-fold:

1) Conducting scientific research on the mechanics of individual collagen-fibrils as well as micro-mechanics of tissue sections as a function of age, pathology or chemical modification. We have a number of ongoing research projects in this context such that this part will be shaped according to the interests of the applicant.

2) Further development of experimental testing devices for micro- and nanomechanical characterization of individual collagen fibrils and microscopic tissue samples. This is based on a mechanical testing device for nanoscale fibres developed by our team.

Further information and link to apply for this position (deadline April 22nd 2021): https://jobs.tuwien.ac.at/Job/148900

For informal discussion please contact Philipp Thurner (Philipp.thurner@tuwien.ac.at)

We invite applications for a PhD position at University of Poitiers, France, entitled “Characterization of anticipatory neuromuscular coordination during explosive movements“.

Summary: The objective of this PhD thesis is to characterize anticipatory muscular coordination during iexplosive movements performed by trained female and male athletes. The Ph.D. student will conceive experimental protocols where human participants have to perform explosive dynamic movements. Data will be collected using both human motion analysis (infrared cameras & force sensors) and muscular physiology (electromyography & superfast ultrasound echograph) equipment. Anticipatory neuromuscular coordination recorded during explosive movements will then be analysed using multi-scale and multi-physic models. Joint torques and muscular lengths and activation patterns will be estimated from a personalised musculoskeletal model. Data collected with echographs will help refine the characterization of interactions between muscular and tendinous fibers.

Keywords: Human movement, Biomechanics, Neuromuscular coordination, Motion Analysis, Musculoskeletal Modelling, Experimental studies, Sport.

Supervisors: Dr. Floren COLLOUD & Dr Romain TISSERAND

Calendar:

Applications must be sent by email before April, 20th 2021.

Interview: from May 17th to May 21st 2021.

Project and funding will start October 1st 2021.

Further information: https://www.u-ldevinci.fr/simme/en/2021/03/04/characterisation-of-anticipatory-neuromuscular-coordination-during-explosive-movements/

For informal discussion please contact Floren Colloud (floren.colloud@univ-poitiers.fr)

We invite applications for a of a PhD position (University Assistant) in experimental micro- and nanobiomechanics. The position is set within a vibrant research group with a main focus on mechanics of individual collagen fibrils and micromechanics of collagen-rich tissues. The research project to be addressed is two-fold:

1) Further development of experimental testing devices for micro- and nanomechanical characterization of individual collagen fibrils and microscopic tissue samples. This is based on a unique mechanical testing device for nanoscale fibres.

2) Conducting scientific research on the mechanics of individual collagen-fibrils as well as micro-mechanics of tissue sections as a function of age, pathology or chemical modification. We have a number of ongoing research projects in this context such that this part will be shaped according to the interests of the applicant.

Further information and link to apply for this position (deadline March 4th 2021): https://jobs.tuwien.ac.at/Job/145238

For informal discussion please contact Philipp Thurner (Philipp.thurner@tuwien.ac.at)

Four collaborative PhD positions are available at the Institute for Biomechanics (Department of Health Sciences and Technology). The Institute for Biomechanics is a multidisciplinary research unit dedicated to the biomechanical investigation of the human body. We investigate the mechanics and material properties of the musculoskeletal system, as well as movement control, from a macroscopic (body/organ) scale to a microscopic (cell) scale.

Project background

The available position is funded under the EU MSCA Innovative Training Network program “BioTrib”. The overall aims of the research program are to develop advances in the performance of natural and artificial joints. The program’s focus is on biotribology, which includes friction, lubrication and wear in these interventions. The researchers will gain the necessary interdisciplinary skills demanded by industry to deliver timely and cost-effective solutions to some of the most intractable European healthcare problems in arthritis.

Job description

The focus of each research sub-project is outlined in the job advertisement on the central ETH Zurich website listed below:

PhD Position: Design of a Self-Lubricating Prosthesis

https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_mSUhxGFtq3OxYXYBoq

PhD Position: Boundary Lubrication of Fibrous Scaffolds

https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_ZLaGSe9E6PBvQAY5q8

PhD Position: Tribological Characteristics of Nanofibrous Electrospun Materials

https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_3H36CzKCMLpSTlxx7Q

PhD Position: Elucidation of Friction-Induced Failure Mechanisms in Fibrous Collagenous Tissues

https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_Pbfuiq745SbJSXvWw8

Your profile

You are required to have a master’s degree in a relevant field. Specific requirements for each position are given in the individual job advertisements linked above.

Eligibility is set by the regulations of the MSCA ITN framework. Researchers can be of any nationality. They are required to undertake physical, transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. Therefore, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. The first positions are available from August 2021.

ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

Interested?

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Covering letter with statement of motivation
• CV
• Copy of bachelor and master transcripts
• Copy of MSc thesis

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online ETH Zurich application portal linked above. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. Application deadline is 28.02.2021.

Further information about the Institute for Biomechanics can be found on our website www.biomech.ethz.ch. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Stephen Ferguson, email sferguson@ethz.ch (no applications).