Research Associate - Dynamics of the Spine Mechanics

Research Associate - Dynamics of the Spine Mechanics

TUHH - Hamburg University of Technology

Hamburg, Germany

The Institute for Biomechanics at the Hamburg University of Technology has a strong focus on research and teaching in the field of numerical and experimental biomechanics. We offer a Research Assistant position in a highly dynamic group that is financed by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in the framework of the Research Unit FOR5177: "The dynamics of the spine mechanics, morphology, and motion-towards a comprehensive diagnosis of low back pain".

The aim of the project is to develop musculoskeletal and finite element computer models to investigate how muscle forces result in internal mechanical signals (strains/stresses) within the lumbar spine and how they are related to tissue adaptation processes in patients with lumbar pain. The project will be perfomed in tight collaboration with the group Prof. Hendrik Schmidt at the Berlin Institute of Health (Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin), who will perform in vivo measurements of spine kinematics in subjects with and without lumbar pain.

YOUR TASKS

• Develop musculoskeletal computer models of the lumbar spine
• Couple musculoskeletal models to finite element models
• Validate computer models with experimental data from ou r collaborators
• Publication of results in scientific journals and at national and international conferences
• Attend consortium meetings and collaborate with other partners involved in the Research Unit

YOUR PROFILE

Requirements

• Completed scientific university studies, in particular in the subject mechanical or biomedical engineering

Desired knowledge and personal skills

• Well-founded background in one or more of the following areas: mechanics, biomechanics, finite element modeling, computational mechanics
• Strong programming and computer modelling skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Fiuent English: oral and written (B2/C1)