molecular bioengineering | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans

Postdoctoral Position in NIH Multiscale Modeling of the Human Knee, Netherlands

The Department of Biomedical Engineering is a joint department of the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Maastricht interfacing and integrating engineering and biomedical sciences from the two universities. The department is organized into 4 divisions: 1) molecular bioengineering, 2) biomechanics and tissue engineering, 3) biomedical imaging and informatics, and 4) biosignals and regulation.

We are looking for a Post Doc in the division of Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering for an international NIH-funded project, in which researchers from TU/e are working together with colleagues from Lerner Research Institute in Cleveland, the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and Duke University in Durham.

Project description: The goal of the consortium is to understand how mechanical loading, applied at the level of a whole knee joint, can be translated into mechanical effects in cartilage, ligaments and menisci, at multiple scales, down to the level of a single cell. To predict cellular deformations from joint level mechanical loading, requires a multi-scale finite element model. Such a model is being developed in this project, and will be used for studying physiological as well as pathological responses. Part of the project is to obtain experimental data at multi-scales, which can be used for model validation.

The task of the TU/e in this project is to develop micro-structural models for cells and pericellular and extracellular matrix that describe the deformation and failure behavior of the tissue. TU/e also is responsible for performing experiments for data collection and validation of the micro-structural models. This includes monitoring abnormal deformations at the micro-level, and to establish critical levels of magnitude, duration and/or frequency above which these can lead to cell damage and disruption of homeostasis of the extracellular matrix.

Requirements:

We are seeking a candidate who is well versed with computational analysis and knowledgeable of biological processes. The candidate should be recently graduated from a PhD – program in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, (bio)physics or a related field, with,

* Knowledge and experience in biomedical science and technology,
* Strong affinity for multidisciplinary research and engineering science,
* Experience with finite element modeling and ex vivo biomechanical testing,
* Capacity to write and communicate fluently in English.

Appointment and Salary:

We offer

* a challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious university in an international consortium with top institutes and universities from the United States
* an appointment for two years;

* gross monthly salaries in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

Application Deadline 30-09-2010
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Postdoctoral Position in “Tissue Integrity of the Intervertebral Disc”, Netherlands

The Department of Biomedical Engineering is a joint department of the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Maastricht interfacing and integrating engineering and biomedical sciences from the two universities. The department is organized into 4 divisions: 1) molecular bioengineering, 2) biomechanics and tissue engineering, 3) biomedical imaging and informatics, and 4) biosignals and regulation.

In the second division is the Orthopedic Biomechanics Section whose general objective is to improve our understanding of function and damage of orthopedic tissues, esp. bone, cartilage and intervertebral disc. Ultimately, these insights are used to develop and improve strategies for treatment of pathologies. For this purpose, we regularly combine experimental and computational approaches. Results from experimental studies on cells and/or tissues are captured in theories that are evaluated using computer models, and predictions by these models are helpful for the design and interpretation of further experiments.

Project description:

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is a common, painful and disabling pathology whose etiology and pathogenetic mechanism is poorly understood. It is generally believed that genetic, cell nutrition and biomechanical factors play a key role; however the interactions between them have been difficult to investigate because of the inherent limitations of current cell and organ culture methods. Among the genetic factors, collagen IX polymorphisms have been identified as a risk factor. In this project, the role of collagen IX will be investigated on the nanoscopic level in collagen gels of chicken. Optical tweezers will be used to analyse the influence of collagen IX upon a collagen network down to the individual fibril level. The resulting finding will be built into an existing FE-model of the degenerating disc.

Requirements:

We are seeking a Post Doc candidate acquainted with optical techniques in biomedical engineering and interested in biological processes and modeling of them. The candidate should be graduated from a Ph.D. program in biomedical engineering, (bio)physics or a related field, with,

* Knowledge of and experience with optical techniques in biomedical engineering,
* Strong affinity for multidisciplinary research and engineering science,
* Capacity to write and communicate fluently in English.

Appointment and Salary:

We offer:

* a challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious University
* an appointment for one year, with the possibility of extension with one year.
* gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU), For the PD position it is increasing from € 2.861 per month initially, to € 2.977 in the second year
* an attractive package of fringe benefits (including excellent work facilities, 13th month salary, holiday allowance of 8%, child care and sport facilities).

Application Deadline 31-08-2010.