Doctoral Researcher, Experimental or Computational Biomechanics or Mechanobiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher position in Experimental or Computational Biomechanics or Mechanobiology at the Department of Technical Physics on the Kuopio campus. The position will be filled for a fixed-term from 1 June 2023 (or starting date as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your application no later than 8 May 2023.

Role and salary

Currently, therapy planning of patients with osteoarthritis is vague and based on general guidelines. Here, we develop a computational modeling method that enables highly personalized and accurate rehabilitation planning for patients. Based on extensive experimental data, we will first develop a mechanobiological model of cartilage which is based on cell driven tissue adaptation mechanisms. Then we will implement the new mechanobiological tissue model into an imaging-based musculoskeletal finite element modeling workflow. The ultimate model is driven by radiography, biochemical markers, and motion characteristics, and is assisted by artificial intelligence. The approach possesses large impact potential as it is targeting ever-more common chronic illness.

We are seeking for a highly motivated and talented Doctoral Researcher to work full-time on one or several of the following tasks:

• Experimentally characterize articular cartilage injury and post-traumatic osteoarthritis progression by bioreactor experiments.
• Develop mechanobiological models of cartilage by considering both biomechanically and biochemically driven mechanisms of the disease progression.
• Develop musculoskeletal finite element models of knee joints based on different datasets, such as MRI, radiography, 3D motion capture, 2D video analysis with wearables.
• Integrate different high-tech and sparse datasets into an artificial intelligence assisted computational modelling workflow to predict development of osteoarthritis.

The work is done primarily in the Biophysics of Bone and Cartilage (BBC) group, University of Eastern Finland, which is globally one of the leading groups in musculoskeletal research (https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/group/biophysics-of-bone-and-cartilage-bbc/). The project includes national and international collaboration.

The position will be filled for a fixed-term from 1 June 2023 to 30 April 2026 (or starting date as agreed) due to it pertaining to a specific project task and own doctoral degree. Continuation of the position will be agreed separately. A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff. Candidates who are currently completing or have recently completed a Master’s degree or equivalent are invited to apply.

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system of the Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job requirement component and a personal performance component. In this position, the job requirement level is based on levels 2–4 on the job requirement chart for teaching and research staff. The personal performance salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. Depending on the personal performance component, the salary will be approximately 2,448.00-3,210.00 €/month.

Our requirements and expectations

• A person to be appointed as a Doctoral Researcher shall be qualified to pursue postgraduate studies.
• Suitable degree in biomedical engineering, biomechanics or mechanobiology, medical physics and technology, mechanical engineering, computational science, or a related field, is required. The persons who don't yet hold the degree before the call deadline are also eligible to apply.
• Potential candidates should have a good command of the English language.

Your benefits 

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including:

• Extensive occupational health care
• Staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services
• Affordable sports services and tax-free bike benefit

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting and diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community. 

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more. 

How to apply? 

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 8 May 2023 (by 24 hours Finnish time). 

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application: 

• CV (http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae ,but also other styles will be accepted),
• copies of your academic degree certificates/diplomas, and copies of certificates/diplomas relating to your language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas
• a trancscript of records
• a motivation letter
• other documents you wish to include to demonstrate your merits for the position (maximum 3 pages)

Questions? 

For further information on the position, please contact Professor Rami Korhonen, email: rami.korhonen@uef.fi, tel.+358 29 445 3343. 

For further information on the application procedure, please contact Human Resources Coordinator Noora Hämäläinen, e-mail: noora.hamalainen@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 445 8302.