Doctoral student in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on tendon biomechanics and mechanobiology

Description of the workplace  

The Biomechanics group is part of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. The interdisciplinary group currently about 15 scientists. The 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 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 about the research group in Biomechanics - bme.lth.se
The Twitter channel: @Lund_BioMech. 

Subject description

Tendons connect or transmit forces during movement in the body. The load-bearing capacity largely comes from the collagen network and an extensive amount of water. 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. When a tendon ruptures, collagen fibres break, and the new tissue is an irregular scar tissue that breaks again if loaded normally. Suitable and controlled loading on the other hand re-organizes the tissue and help restore the tendons mechanical function.

The PhD student will work within a larger project with the goal to elucidate how mechanical loading affects tendon regeneration, and how aging affects the mechanical properties, composition and structure of the tendon. The PhD student will focus on how to translate developed experimental methodologies from previous small animal models to larger animal models and investigation of human tendon properties. The goal is to identify important mechanisms to restore the tendon’s mechanical function early and effectively. The results will contribute to new knowledge that is important to identify new treatments for tendon ruptures.

The project is funded by the European Research Council. 

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Detailed description of the work duties:

• You will be mainly conducting research activities within the project described above. The research includes designing, planning, and conducting numerical studies, as well as programming to develop the algorithms.
• You are expected to assist in supervision of MSc degree projects. 
• You are expected to collaborate with national and international partners, as well as travel to disseminate the research findings at, for example, scientific conferences.

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Biomedical Engineering if the applicant has: 

• at least 45 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject
  General syllabus for third-cycle studies in Biomedical Engineering

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Background in biomedical/mechanical engineering, engineering physics, or other relevant fields.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily based on academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following: 

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral scientific communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g., professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Knowledge in musculoskeletal tissue biomechanics, preferably tendons, is considered highly desirable. 
• Experience with larger data collection and analyses is considered highly desirable.
• Experience with scientific programming (e.g. matlab or python) is considered highly desirable.
• Experience from handling biological is considered highly desirable.
• Experience from e.g. motion capture, 3D imaging or mechanical testing is considered positive.
• Experience from multidisciplinary environments is considered positive.
  International experience is considered positive.
• Pedagogical skills/experience in supervision/teaching are considered positive.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.
More about being a Lund University employee - on Lund University's website

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.
First day of employment will be as soon as possible, but no later than September 1, 2025.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

We look forward to receiving your application!