Post-doctoral bone biomechanics (pelvic reconstruction)
Post-doctoral bone biomechanics (pelvic reconstruction)
Description : Multiscale modelling of a pelvic reconstruction (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium)
Surgery of a tumour in the hip is complicated by the geometry of the pelvis ring. In order to avoid amputation of the leg, the tumour is resected and the bone deficit is filled by an allograft. This reconstruction is done by traditional means of osteosynthesis.
Since consolidation between bone implant and pelvis is not immediate, the weeks following the surgery are critical. Fracture of the assembly may be the consequence of a too rapid, or simply inadequate, loading. The aim of the thesis is to help the surgeon to optimize such immediate stability of the reconstruction, so as to quickly restore the patient mobility.
In this project, the task will be to develop a computational tool that estimates the load partitioning throughout the assembly (and the potential damage). Simulations will rely on advanced modelling of the bone micromechanics. They will also entail a realistic representation of the pelvis and the implant (screws and plates) within a finite element code. Based on medical imaging data, a segmentation technique (such as the level set method) will be used to reconstruct the 3D geometry. External loading of the pelvis will be determined using an existing walk simulator based on multibody dynamics theory. Model predictions will be assessed based on experimental data.
Profile: the candidate should have basic training in at least two of the three following disciplines: (i) Materials science, (ii) Computational mechanics (eg the finite element method), (iii) Tensor calculus in continuum mechanics. He/she must also demonstrate the potential to acquire sufficient autonomy in his/her research, in particular w.r.t. programming the computer code.
The applicant work within the developed codes and with a dynamic interdisciplinary team.
The position will be mentored by Emilie Marchandise, professor of Biomechanics. The work will take place at the Applied Mechanics Division at UCL: http://www.uclouvain.be/mema.
Please send your application by email including your Curriculum Vitae, list of three persons for reference, a list of publications, and a cover letter stating your motivation.
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Contact address : Professor Emilie Marchandise
Université catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Ecole polytechnique de Louvain (EPL)
Department of Mechanics (MECA)
Avenue G. Lemaître, 4
1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Topic: International Tags: biomechanics, Postdoctoral, Postdoctoral scholarships, Research
