Postdoctoral Position in Orthopaedic Engineering

Postdoctoral Position in Orthopaedic Engineering

SDU - University of Southern Denmark

Odense, Denmark

This role combines medical imaging (ultrasound and MRI), computer-assisted surgical technologies, and the study of how bones and joints move. 

The successful candidate will work on a multi-stage project that aims to develop simple and cost-effective methods of measuring joint motion relevant to the planning of hip and knee surgery. This includes developing methods to reconstruct 3D anatomy from imaging, measuring how joints move, and creating planning tools that surgeons can use before and during an operation. The work brings together ultrasound, MRI, and optical tracking to guide the surgeon, for example, identifying the location where a cam deformity is causing impingement and how much bone to remove in hip arthroscopy, or revealing how implant positioning affects patellofemoral tracking in knee arthroplasty.

The position is with the Biomedical Engineering Centre (BEC), Department of Technology and Innovation. The postdoc will join a growing interdisciplinary team working on practical solutions that improve surgical precision and clinical outcomes.

Job description and responsibilities

We are looking for a researcher who is excited about building practical technology that can help surgeons make more accurate, patient-specific decisions during orthopaedic surgery. The role will involve working with tools that analyse how bones move during functional tasks, but with a focus on improving the quality of the motion data itself. Although detailed joint models already exist in the literature, these models are typically driven by motion captured from skin-mounted markers, which introduce errors from soft-tissue artefact. By integrating ultrasound with MRI and high-precision tracking, this project aims to capture much more accurate, joint motion in individual patients, allowing us to identify where bones impinge, how joint clearance changes with movement, and how different surgical decisions, such as resection depth or implant rotation, affect joint mechanics with greater precision than is currently possible.

The BEC is dedicated to fostering a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive research environment. We value people from all backgrounds and experiences, and we actively support a culture where everyone can thrive. This post will be an important part of our friendly, collaborative, and energetic research group. The successful candidate will work closely with students, academic colleagues, and potential industrial partners, contributing to a positive, open, and supportive research culture.

Responsibilities

Specific Duties

• Combine ultrasound, MRI, and optical tracking data to build accurate 3D models of bones and joints.
• Measure how bones move when a person moves and/or loads their joints (hip & knee), using imaging and tracking.
• Align (register) ultrasound images to MRI scans so the two sets of information match in 3D space.
• Create simple software tools that show surgeons where bones touch or impinge and how different surgical choices will change joint movement.
• Run accuracy tests using plastic models, motion rigs, and cadaver joints to check how well the system measures bone shape and motion.
• Prepare ethics applications and help recruit volunteers for studies.
• Set up and run demonstrations of the system for surgeons and other users and gather feedback on how it fits into real surgical workflows.
• Work with an external company to organise the customisation of ultrasound probes.

Additional Duties

• Manage your own research and contribute to coordinating project activities.
• Adapt existing methods and develop new protocols for imaging, tracking, and reconstruction.
• Analyse data from multiple sources and refine working hypotheses.
• Contribute ideas for new research directions and funding proposals.
• Help prepare scientific papers, reports, and presentations.
• Use specialist imaging and tracking equipment in laboratory settings.
• Advise colleagues on scientific and experimental techniques.
• Represent the research group at meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Contribute to collaborative projects across SDU and partner institutions.
• Participate in teaching and supervision where appropriate.
• Assisting with other reasonable practical and administrative duties as required.

Selection criteria

Essential selection criteria

• Hold a relevant PhD/DPhil (or be near completion*) in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics, medical image computing, or a related field, together with relevant experience.
• Strong publication record, commensurate with career stage
• Possess knowledge of and experience in conducting 3D freehand ultrasound.
• Knowledge or experience of motion analysis of human joints.
• Experience working with people from a range of disciplines, for example engineers collaborating with clinicians such as orthopaedic surgeons.
• Strong practical programming skills in Python and/or C++.
• Ability to manage own academic research and associated activities.
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research directions and future funding proposals.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.

* Near completion means the PhD thesis has been submitted.

Desirable selection criteria

• Experience with ultrasound imaging, including reconstruction, compounding, or segmentation.
• Experience working with MRI or CT data, including segmentation or registration.
• Knowledge of musculoskeletal biomechanics or orthopaedic applications.
• Experience with optical tracking systems or multi-sensor fusion.
• Experience designing or contributing to phantom, cadaver, or clinical studies.
• Skills in building visualisation tools or user interfaces for imaging data.
• Experience using the Robot Operating System (ROS or ROS2) for sensor integration or experimental control.
• Experience with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing
• Experience supervising students or contributing to teaching activities.
• Evidence of successful collaboration with clinical or industrial partners.