4-Years PhD Position in Multi-Scale Structure -Composition- Function Relationships in Osteoporo[...]

European Commission; España; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; A tiempo parcial

Descripción de la vacante

A prestigious university in Spain is offering a PhD position in the Biomechanics and Mechanobiology laboratory focused on predicting osteoporotic hip fractures using advanced computational models. The role requires a strong background in mechanical engineering and proficiency in scientific programming. Candidates will work on patient-specific modeling and fracture risk assessment, with opportunities to publish and present research findings.

Formación

• BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Biomechanics.
• Strong background in continuum mechanics, fracture mechanics, and mechanics of composite materials.
• MSc thesis focused on finite element modeling and simulation.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (MATLAB, Python, etc.).
• Experience with experimental testing and model validation is a plus.
• Proficient in English; demonstration during interview required.

Responsabilidades

• Assess the impact of osteoporosis on bone nano-mechanical properties and reinterpret clinical image intensities through multiscale calculations.
• Develop patient-specific orthotropic elastic properties and post-yield behavior for 3D-DXA-based FE models.
• Create an index to assess osteoporotic fracture risk by integrating multiscale bone mechanics and patient-specific femur modeling.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.

Descripción del empleo

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Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Department / School of Engineering

Organisation/Company: Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Department / School of Engineering

Department: Engineering

Research Field: Engineering » Biomedical engineering

Researcher Profile: Other

Profession: Positions PhD

Positions: Country Spain

Application Deadline: 25 Aug 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Part-time

Offer Starting Date: 28 Jul 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This PhD project, embedded within the Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) laboratory, Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DTIC), UPF, aims to advance the prediction of osteoporotic hip fractures through innovative multiscale computational models linking bone structure, composition, and mechanical performance. The project integrates patient-specific 3D modeling and finite element analysis derived from DXA imaging with multiscale theoretical frameworks. The PhD candidate will investigate nano- and microscale alterations in bone and collagen architecture and their influence on mechanical behavior and fracture risk, using theoretical modeling, image-based simulations, and clinical data to develop a personalized fracture risk index.

As a doctoral researcher, you will:

• Assess the impact of osteoporosis on bone nano-mechanical properties and reinterpret clinical image intensities through multiscale calculations.
• Develop patient-specific orthotropic elastic properties and post-yield behavior for 3D-DXA-based FE models.
• Create an index to assess osteoporotic fracture risk by integrating multiscale bone mechanics and patient-specific femur modeling.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.

Supervision Team:

Jérôme Noailly (Full professor; Expertise: Modelling and simulations in biomechanics and systems biology) - [e-mail]

Elham Alizadeh (Postdoctoral Research Fellow; Expertise: Computational Biomechanics, Continuum mechanics, Fracture mechanics) - [e-mail]

Minimum qualifications:

• BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Biomechanics.
• Strong background in continuum mechanics, fracture mechanics, and mechanics of composite materials.
• MSc thesis focused on finite element modeling and simulation.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (MATLAB, Python, etc.).
• Experience with experimental testing and model validation is a plus.
• Proficient in English; demonstration during interview required.