The postdoctoral position is embedded within the SNSF Sinergia project SLIHI4BONE (Nr. 213520, project start 01.04.2023) focusing on a newly-proposed mechanism explaining the formation of bone in soft tissue, also called heterotopic ossification (doi:10.1016/j.mattod.2018.10.036). According to this mechanism, tissue mineralization may provoke a sustained local ionic homeostatic imbalance (SLIHI), and this local decrease in extracellular calcium may modulate inflammation to trigger bone formation. The general project aim is to assess the validity of this mechanism and to use it for healing large bone defects.
For the multiphoton intravital imaging work package within SLIHI4BONE, we are looking for a motivated Postdoc to join the Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich. The successful candidate will closely interact with the Sinergia collaboration partners at RMS Foundation and ARI Davos:
• Development of intravital imaging protocols for HO and impaired bone healing using time-lapsed micro-computed tomography and multiphoton microscopy
• Extension of intravital imaging technology to include ratiometric imaging for the quantification of bone marrow interstitial pH and calcium concentrations
• Imaging support for in vivo experiments
Further information about the Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics can be found on our website www.bone.ethz.ch. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Dr. Ralph Müller at ram@ethz.ch (no applications).
