Three-year (3) PhD student position in establishing the proof of concept of partially bioresorb[...]

Aix-Marseille Université; France; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research university in France is offering a PhD opportunity in biomechanics focusing on developing innovative textile-based implants for female pelvic organ prolapse treatment. The role involves interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced modeling, and research aimed at improving surgery outcomes. Ideal candidates should have a Master's in mechanics or biomechanics and strong skills in continuum mechanics and finite element modeling. French C1 and English B2 level are required.

Prestations

Gross salary of 2300 € per month

Opportunity to initiate a research career

Qualifications

• Strong theoretical foundation in continuum mechanics.
• Experience in Finite Element numerical modelling, especially non-linear simulation.
• Open to participating in pre-clinical investigations.

Responsabilités

• Modeling of healthy and prolapsed pelvic organs and simulating physiological activities.
• Optimize a biocompatible bioresorbable textile-based implant for female POP treatment.
• Conduct pre-clinical trials in partnership with healthcare organizations.

Connaissances

Continuum mechanics

Finite Element numerical modelling

Autonomy

Teamwork

Analytical and critical thinking

Strong written and oral ability

Formation

Master 2 Research in mechanics/biomechanics or equivalent

Description du poste

Offer Description

Host institution

The Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics (LBA) is a joint research unit of the University Gustave Eiffel and Aix-Marseille University, located within the Faculty of Medicine on the North Hospital-University Campus in Marseille. Its research program is based on the biomechanical modelling and simulation of the human body (Virtual Human) for health, sports, and safety applications. The laboratory's objectives include understanding trauma mechanisms to improve prevention and treatment of resulting injuries, and enhancing medical devices and associated surgical techniques.

Clinical context

Female pelvic organ prolapse affects nearly one in three women to varying degrees. It represents a major societal challenge. Complication rates after surgery remain very high regardless of the techniques and materials used. A better understanding of the influence of mechanical factors is required to design innovative textile based implants and improve clinical outcomes.

The PhD objective is to establish the proof of concept of partially bioresorbable textile based implants compatible with the mechano-biology of pelvic organ tissues in the context of female POP treatment. Special attention will be paid on understanding, characterizing and modelling the biomechanics of human repaired pelvic soft tissues after POP and those of an animal model to be tuned and optimized before any use.

Collaborations

This PhD thesis is a multi-disciplinary research project. Clinical guidance and support will be provided by the Marseille University Hospitals (APHM) and Charles University Hospitals (Czech Republic). Pre-clinical trials will be designed and run in partnership with some veterinary organisations. Close collaborations are planned with the New Technologies Research Center (NTC), University of West Bohemia BWU (Czech Republic) for the development of the digital models. NTC will potentially host the doctoral student for a period of several months up to a year. In addition, partnerships are considered with LabTau (INSERM U1032, Lyon) for its expertise in passive elastography and the company FEG Textiltechnik mbH (Germany) for its technical support and the supply of visible textile implants.

Main work packages, and deliverables (provisional timeline)

The PhD student will benefit from LBA’s expertise in running pre-clinical trials and modelling human bodies. Support is expected from some post docs and interns recruited along the Chair.

• WP1: Modelling of healthy, prolapsed and repaired human pelvic organs and simulation of physiological activities, Oct 2025 - Dec 2026
• WP2: Modelling of healthy, prolapsed and repaired pelvic organs of an animal model, simulation of physiological activities in stabling conditions, July 2026 - Dec 2027
• WP3: Optimization of a biocompatible bioresorbable textile based implant for female POP treatment, July 2027 - Sep 2028

Scientific challenges and innovative methods

• The complex shape of pelvic organs and their inter-connections make their MRI image segmentation and their geometrical modelling particularly challenging. Furthermore, the numerous contacts they have with each other result in high computational times to run simulations. To overcome these challenges, the doctoral project will use AI to generate accurate geometries adapted to regular meshes and to lead the way to model reductions. AI methods are currently being developed and implemented within the LBA by expert AI researchers who recently joined the laboratory. They will assist the PhD student in this task.
• Pelvic organ tissues have been extensively characterized but data were mostly collected from post-mortem subjects. To access, over time, to the in vivo in situ properties of pelvic tissues and textiles implanted, passive elastography will be used in collaboration with LabTau/INSERM.
• The pelvic floor muscles and the ligaments of the pelvic organs play a critical role for both the statics and dynamics of the pelvic organs. However, the state of muscular contraction, precise locations of the insertions of these ligaments is difficult to assess with MRI. A reverse method approach is required. To limit the number of unknowns, non-invasive pressure measurement within the pelvic sphere and the use of MRI visible Dynamesh implant (FEG TextilTechnik) will be considered.
• Finally, this doctoral project calls for numerous modelling hypotheses that need to be clearly formulated and their impact on the results of interest must be quantified. In order to ensure the reliability and robustness of the simulations, VV40 standard (ASME, 2018) will be implemented. This standard provides a framework and a rigorous approach for model verification and validation. Its implementation is now required by the FDA for any numerical simulation results as part of a Medical Device submission dossier.

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Master 2 Research in mechanics/biomechanics or equivalent required
• Solid theoretical foundation in continuum mechanics
• Experienced in Finite Element numerical modelling (non linear simulation would be a plus)
• Open to contributing to pre-clinical investigations

Soft skills: Autonomy, Teamwork, Analytical and critical thinking, Strong written and oral ability, French C1 level and English B2 (or English C1) required

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Languages FRENCH Level Excellent

Additional Information

Gross salary of 2300 € per month (year 2026), opportunity to initiate a research career in a laboratory that has gained international recognition and influence in human numerical simulations for health and safety application over the past decades ( https://lba.univ-gustave-eiffel.fr/ ).

Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal

Selection process

• CV, list of publications and a minimum of 2 references
• Selection will be based on knowledge in continuum mechanics, experience in the field of material/structural modelling and ability to engage in the Chair of Excellence program
• Application closure by July 11th 2025, in-person or videoconference interview process completed by end of July 2025, final selection by end of September 2025 pending on Amidex committee validation

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1

Company/Institute Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales

Country France

City Marseille

Postal Code 13015

Street Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales - Secteur Nord, 51 Bd Pierre Dramard

Number of offers available 1

Company/Institute New Technologies – Research Centre, Teslova

Country Czech Republic

City Pilsen

Street New Technologies – Research Centre, Teslova 5b, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic.