Postdoctoral positions in Biomedical Engineering with focus on Biomechanical modelling of the Achilles tendon - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The Biomechanics group is part of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. The interdisciplinary research is focused on understanding the link between mechanics and biology in the musculoskeletal system, including related pathologies and repair of skeletal tissues. Experimental tissue characterisation methods, imaging and computational simulation techniques are used. The research is applied on direct problems in orthopaedics to develop better methods to understand and improve repair of musculoskeletal tissues. 

The group encompass about 12 scientists (PhD students, post-docs, researchers) and is located at the BMC-building. The expertise includes computational and experimental mechanics of biological tissues, where a large part of the numerical studies are conducted with the finite element method using advanced material models. The group strives for an inclusive environment, largely based on collaboration and trust, where development towards an independent researcher is largely encouraged and supported.

The research is connected to the LTH profile area Engineering Health. More information can be found on the website https://bme.lth.se/research-pages/biomechanics/biomechanics or through the Twitter channel @Lund_BioMech. 

The post-doc would be actively working in the group and with collaborators within the TENDON_MECHBIO project funded by a European Research Council Consolidator grant. 

Subject and project description

Tendons connect muscles to bones and enable energy-efficient locomotion. The Achilles tendon is the largest and the most injured tendon in the human body. Ruptures often occur during recreational sport activities but can also be a result of ageing. Mechanical loading is a prerequisite for tendon healing. Controversial and often unsuccessful treatments of tendon ruptures could be improved by elucidating how loading affects the mechanobiological aspects of tendon healing. 

This position is within a larger ERC-funded project with the scope to elucidate how mechanical loading affects tendon mechanics and tendon regeneration. There is a possibility to employ up to two postdoctoral researchers with the following two aims. 

1. To investigate how mechanical loading influences healing tendon function, structure and composition. The project includes further developing and validating an existing adaptive mechanoregulatory model for tendon repair. This will be based on collected experimental data. The developed computational scheme will be important for the project to elucidate the mechanobiological mechanisms at play. 
2. To develop detailed structural and anatomical computational models of the tendon tissue, in order to understand how mechanical loading influences tendon function, structure and composition. The computational modeling will be based on unique collected experimental data. The detailed structural models will be key in the project to elucidate the mechanisms guiding the tendon organ and tissue level response to load. 

Applicants can present preferences between focusing on aim 1 or 2, or state interest in both options.  

Work duties

The main duty of the postdoctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development. 

Detailed description of the work duties:

• You will be responsible for designing, planning, and performing numerical studies within the subject area, including development of project ideas.  
• The project is a close collaboration with national and international partners, and you are expected to actively interact as a team member.
• You are expected to supervise MSc degree projects and assist in supervision of doctoral students.
• You are expected to support the group in seeking external research funding.
• You are expected to handle administration connected to the duties above.

Qualification requirements 

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving that the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 
• A PhD or equivalent research qualification in (bio)mechanical engineering, (medical) physics or similar. 
• To independently drive research projects of high quality, as well as have documented experience of writing scientific publications.
• Experience from supervising BSc, MSc theses or other kind of student work. 

Assessment criteria 

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular importance will be given to research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills. 

Other qualifications

• A strong background in constitutive modelling and the finite element method. 
• Experience from using (medical) images to derive computational modelling geometries. 
• Experience from tissue biomechanics, preferably musculoskeletal or other soft tissues, with similar material response as tendons.
• Experience with multidisciplinary environments and collaborative research projects.
• International networks and experience.  

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of two years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”). We intend to employ up to two postdoctoral researchers.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)”  

Welcome to apply!