Established in 2013, the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL) is part of an academic and research community located at the Campus Krems, and includes a network of comprising teaching hospitals in St. Pölten, Krems and Tulln. The university offers degree programmes in Human Medicine, Psychotherapy, Counselling Sciences and Psychology, which are tailored to the requirements of the Bologna model, opening the door to new, cutting-edge health professions. KL is committed to raising its profile in specific areas of biomedicine, biomedical engineering, and biopsychosocial sciences by entering into strategic academic and research partnerships with other institutions.

Starting at January 2018, the department of anatomy and biomechanics (division of biomechanics, Prof. Dieter Pahr, dieter.pahr@kl.ac.at) offers a research position, which is limited to the duration of three years:

PhD Position in Biomechanics

Your responsibilities:

• Participation in the funded research projects
• In more detail, using of micro CT imaging, biomechanical testing, finite element simulations, and 3d printing
• Programming of evaluation- and analysis scripts
• Assistance in teaching in the fields of mathematics, physics, informatics and biomedical engineering
• Engagement in other research projects

Your profile:

• Degree in civil or mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, technical physics, or similar fields
• Basic knowledge in programming, biomechanics, imaging (CT), experimental material characterization
• Good English skills
• Skills in script programming as well as experience in finite elements simulations of advantage
• The willingness to support teaching, experience is of advantage
• Self-responsible and reliable working approach
• Interest on scientific working and writing a dissertation thesis
• Friendly and team oriented personality

Your perspective:

• You can expect a challenging job in an internationally recognized and highly motivated team

Research Topics

• Biomechanical characterization and FEA simulations in the field of endochondral ossification for bone regeneration
• Biomechanical investigation of the degradation behavior and FEA simulation in the field of biodegradable magnesium alloys for implants

The Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences is dedicated to achieving a balanced mix of male and female academic and non-academic staff. Consequently, applications from female candidates are particularly welcome. The minimum gross salary for this position is € 2,045. Overpayment based on the internal salary structure and individual qualifications and experience is possible.

Applications should include a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, and credentials and should be mailed by 19. November 2017 to Ms. Christina Schwaiger of the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences,

Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems, Austria (bewerbung@kl.ac.at).

The division of biomechanics is constantly looking for pre-doc candidates. Therefore, we also accept unsolicited applications after the deadline.

The Berlin School of Movement Science (BSMS), graduate school of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, is offering a

PhD position with focus on muscle and tendon adaptation in youth athletes

for a period of 3 (4) years hosted at the Department of Training and Movement Sciences of the same university starting in January 2018.

Project description
The purpose of the research project focuses on the adaptation of muscle and tendon in youth athletes. In young, growing athletes, the development of muscle and tendon tissue is influenced both by maturation and mechanical loading. Recent evidence suggests that the interaction of these two driving stimuli could increase increased the risk of developing imbalances between the strength capacity of muscles during adolescence. However, to date no information is available on the effect of maturation and training in prepubertal children. Therefore, it is important to deepen our understanding of muscle and tendon adaptation during prepubertal maturation, not only with regard to the properties of the muscle-tendon unit as a determinant of sports performance, but also in respect of injury prevention.

The project aims to determine the development of muscle strength and architecture, and tendon mechanical properties of the plantar flexor and knee extensor muscle-tendon unit in prepubertal athletes and untrained children. Joint moments will be determined using dynamometry, inverse dynamics and electromyography, while muscle architecture and tendon elongation will be assessed using ultrasonography.

We are looking for a PhD candidate who is interested in muscle and tendon biomechanics and the development of the musculotendinous system.

Qualifications
– Candidates should hold an MSc or equivalent in Sports Science, Biomechanics, Engineering, Biology or Medical Sciences.
– A very good biomechanical background, together with direct experience in dynamometry and ultrasonography.
– Previous work human muscle architecture and tendon biomechanics in vivo will
constitute an important reason for preference.
– Strong experience in the use of programming languages such as R or MATLAB are desired.
– Very good knowledge of the English language in speaking and writing is required.

Eligibility
– With the beginning of the scholarship the Master or equivalent studies must be completed.
– The latest degree may not date back longer than 6 years.
– At the time of the nomination the candidate may not be in Germany for more than 15 months.
– During the scholarship period, staying abroad is limited to 9 months in total and no longer than 3 months per year.

The position is funded with a DAAD scholarship (Graduate School Scholarship Programme) and it includes:
– Monthly scholarship of 1000.00 €.
– Health, accident and liability insurance.
– Funding of a German language course (2, 4 or 6 months).

Application procedure
The application can only be submitted electronically. It should be written in English and must contain the following:
– Letter of motivation
– Detailed curriculum vitae
– Letter of recommendation by two university professors from the home university, issued during the last 2 years (see the DAAD form attached)
– Copies of certificates or copies of translated documents:
o Copy of the school leaving certificate qualifying for admission to higher education in your own country
o Copies of certificates of annual examinations taken at the home university (transcripts of records)
o Copies of certificates of any academic degrees or advanced qualifications showing grades and explain the home’s grading system

– Certificates of internships (when available)
– The master thesis (or equivalent) and any publications or manuscripts

Contact information for this position
Dr. Falk Mersmann (falk.mersmann@hu-berlin.de, +49 (0) 30 2093 46010)
We invite you to apply before the 31st October 2017. Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. Please send your application document via email to: falk.mersmann@hu-berlin.de

The Department of Training and Movement Sciences at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin provides basic and applied research in the areas of training and movement sciences as well as biomechanics. Our main research fields include adaptation mechanisms of mechanical and morphological properties of muscles and tendons, plasticity of movement control and interaction between the neuronal and musculoskeletal systems in order to increase human performance and improve life quality.

The Berlin School of Movement Science (BSMS), graduate school of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, is offering a

PhD position with focus on the human neuromuscular function during perturbed movement

for a period of 3 (4) years hosted at the Department of Training and Movement Sciences of the same university starting in January 2018.

Project description

The purpose of the research project focuses on the neural control of the lower limb muscle-tendon unit function during perturbed motion in humans. According to daily life situations,

perturbation paradigms may be continuous and/or acute as well as unexpected and/or predictable. Different perturbations will be induced electro-mechanically by drops in surface height during contact phases of cyclic locomotion and acyclic movements (e.g. jumping) to challenge the system in different configurations of loading and muscle intrinsic properties (force-length-velocity relationship).

To investigate how the central nervous system organizes and uses specific muscle activation patterns (the so-called muscle synergies) to control the muscle-tendon unit behaviour and, thus, global stability, three techniques will be used. First, the electromyographic activity of relevant lower limb muscles will be measured and using a non-negative matrix factorization algorithm the muscle synergies will be extracted. Second, ultrasonography and kinematic analysis will be combined to assess vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius medialis muscle fascicles as well as respective muscle-tendon unit length. Lastly, the local dynamic stability will be estimated using the concept of the Lyapunov exponents.

We are looking for a PhD candidate interested in investigating the neurophysiological and muscle mechanical aspects underlying human motor control of perturbed movements.

Qualifications
– Candidates should hold an MSc or equivalent in Biomechanics, Engineering,
Mathematics or Sport Engineering
– A very good mathematics and physics background, together with direct experience in
signal processing are required.
– Previous work on measurements of surface electromyographic activity,
muscle/tendon ultrasonography and/or dynamic stability will constitute an important reason for preference.
– Strong experience in the use of programming languages such as R or MATLAB.
– Very good knowledge of the English language in speaking and writing is required.

Eligibility
– With the beginning of the scholarship the Master or equivalent studies must be
completed.
– The latest degree may not date back longer than 6 years.
– At the time of the nomination the candidate may not be in Germany for more than 15 months.
– During the scholarship period, staying abroad is limited to 9 months in total and no longer than 3 months per year.

The position is funded with a DAAD scholarship (Graduate School Scholarship Programme) and it includes:
– Monthly scholarship of 1000.00 €.
– Health, accident and liability insurance.
– Funding of a German language course (2, 4 or 6 months).

Application procedure
The application can only be submitted electronically. It should be written in English and must contain the following:
– Letter of motivation
– Detailed curriculum vitae
– Letter of recommendation by two university professors from the home university, issued during the last 2 years (see the DAAD form attached)
– Copies of certificates or copies of translated documents:

o Copy of the school leaving certificate qualifying for admission to higher
education in your own country
o Copies of certificates of annual examinations taken at the home university
(transcripts of records)
o Copies of certificates of any academic degrees or advanced qualifications
showing grades and explain the home’s grading system

– Certificates of internships (when available)
– The master thesis (or equivalent) and any publications or manuscripts

Contact information for this position
Dr. Sebastian Bohm (sebastian.bohm (at) hu-berlin.de, +49 (0) 30 2093 46010)
We invite you to apply before the 31st October 2017. Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. Please send your application document via email to: sebastian.bohm (at) hu-berlin.de

The Department of Training and Movement Sciences at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin provides basic and applied research in the areas of training and movement sciences as well as biomechanics. Our main research fields include adaptation mechanisms of mechanical and morphological properties of muscles and tendons, plasticity of movement control and interaction between the neuronal and musculoskeletal systems in order to increase human performance and improve life quality.