The start date for both positions is September/October 2017.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for two full-time Postdoctoral Researcher positions on the finite element simulation of magnesium orthopaedic implants. These three year fixed term positions are funded through a US-Ireland Research and Development Partnership Programme involving collaboration between the SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices (Cúram), the NSF Engineering Research Centre Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials (RMB, USA), and the Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre (NIBEC, Northern Ireland).
The successful candidates will develop multi-scale finite element models for the mechanical behavior of biodegradable magnesium alloys. Modelling approaches will range from single crystal plasticity analysis of the material micro-structure to simulation of device implantation into patients. Finite element models of the mechanical behavior of nano-scale functionalized coatings for magnesium devices will also be developed. The successful researchers will work closely with experimental partners in the USA (RMB) and in NIBEC, and also with industry partners and clinicians in developing optimized device solutions. The project will provide significant travel opportunities through research visits to project partners in the USA, and through presentation of results at leading international conferences.
- Develop crystal plasticity constitutive laws for deformation and biodegradation of magnesium.
- Develop finite element models of patient-specific geometries and simulate implantation of novel magnesium medical devices.
- Work closely with project partners at RMB (USA) and NIBEC to implement feedback between experiments and models.
- Collaborate with the Irish Centre for High-End Computing for performance of multi-core simulations.
- Actively participate in international conferences and meetings.
- Publish data in high impact factor journals and/or protect new intellectual property.
- Applicants must have a primary degree and Ph.D. in mechanical or biomedical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Applicants must have first author publications in leading journals in the field of solid mechanics/finite element modelling/continuum mechanics.
- Applicants must have a strong background in finite element analysis.
- Applicants must have a strong background in solid mechanics.