Job offer

Organisation/Company: Universite de Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Department: Laboratoire J-A Dieudonne

Research Field: Other

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions: Postdoc Positions

Country: France

Application Deadline: 30 May 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

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

Bone remodelling is a fundamental physiological process that maintains skeletal integrity by balancing bone resorption and formation. This complex mechanism is regulated by mechanical loading, cellular signaling, and microdamage accumulation, all of which influence the structural and functional adaptation of bone. A deeper understanding of these interactions is critical for advancing medical applications such as fracture prevention, prosthetic design, and the treatment of bone-related diseases like osteoporosis.

Bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes continuous renewal through the coordinated actions of osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) and osteoblasts (bone-forming cells). This remodeling process is crucial not only for repairing microdamage caused by mechanical stress but also for adapting the bone structure to changing mechanical demands. When this balance is disrupted, conditions such as osteoporosis and stress fractures can develop, highlighting the importance of accurately modelling these processes.

Mechanical loading plays a key role in regulating bone remodeling. The mechanostat theory suggests that bone adapts its mass and architecture in response to mechanical stimuli, reinforcing regions experiencing high stress while resorbing bone in low-stress areas. However, excessive or repetitive loading can lead to microdamage accumulation, potentially initiating remodeling responses that alter bone strength over time.

The goal of this postdoctoral research is to develop an advanced finite element model of bone remodelling that integrates microdamage effects at the macroscale. The model will build upon previous computational frameworks and will aim to capture:

1. The influence of microdamage accumulation on bone adaptation.
2. Multi-scale interactions between cellular-level processes and macroscopic mechanical properties.
3. The impact of various biological and mechanical parameters on bone remodelling dynamics.

The candidate will be responsible for developing the mathematical model for bone remodelling and will promote the scientific results through scientific publications in high-impact international journals and conferences.

The candidate will work under the supervision of Pr Rachele Allena at the Jean Alexandre Dieudonné Laboratory of the Université Côte d'Azur on the Valrose Campus in Nice (28, Avenue Valrose 06100 Nice, France) and Pr Ivan Giorgio from Università dell’Aquila (Italy).

Where to apply

E-mail: rachele.allena@univ-cotedazur.fr

Requirements

Research Field: Other

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• PhD in Applied Mathematics, Biomechanics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong background in finite element modelling and computational mechanics.
• Familiarity with bone biology and biomechanics is desirable but not mandatory.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.