Offer Description
The PhD project is part of ADAPT-BONE, a research project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PID[contact details available in the full listing]OB-I00). The project aims to develop adaptive porous implants for personalised orthopaedic reconstruction.
The PhD will focus on the design and optimisation of porous and lattice orthopaedic implant architectures with tailored mechanical properties and long-term performance. The research will study how porous architecture influences mechanical behaviour and fatigue under physiological loading. Finite element modelling, computational optimisation and experimental characterisation will be combined to develop improved implant designs.
A key aspect of the project will be an iterative design–manufacture–test–redesign approach. Porous architectures will be designed and optimised computationally. They will then be manufactured using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and tested under mechanical and fatigue loading. The experimental results will be used to improve the models and refine the implant designs.
The project will also explore how patient-specific mechanical requirements can be considered when designing porous implants. This work will be carried out in collaboration with the biomechanics and mechanobiology activities of ADAPT-BONE. The PhD will have a specific focus on the mechanical design and performance of the implant.
The candidate will join the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tecnun–University of Navarra, the University’s School of Engineering located in San Sebastián, Spain. The PhD will be supervised by Dr. Naiara Rodriguez-Florez and Dr. Sergio Ruiz de Galarreta. The candidate will work in a multidisciplinary research environment involving mechanical and biomedical engineers, additive manufacturing specialists and clinical collaborators. The position will also offer opportunities for international research stays and participation in scientific conferences.
Where to apply
E-mail: nrodriguezf@unav.es
Requirements
Research Field: Engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Strong background in mechanics of materials, strength of materials and structural mechanics.
- Solid knowledge and practical experience in finite element analysis (FEA) and numerical modelling, preferably using Abaqus.
- Good programming skills, preferably in Python.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
Specific Requirements
- Experience in computational design and numerical optimisation will be highly valued.
- Experience with porous or lattice structures, additive manufacturing, or fatigue analysis will be considered an advantage.
- Previous experience in biomechanics or orthopaedic applications will be considered an advantage.
- Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage but is not required for the position.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good
Research Field: Engineering
Additional Information
Benefits
- Four-year predoctoral research position within the ADAPT-BONE project, supported by a predoctoral fellowship funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PID2025-175549OB-I00).
- Access to Tecnun's research facilities and equipment for advanced manufacturing, computational modelling and mechanical testing.
- Multidisciplinary research environment involving mechanical and biomedical engineering, additive manufacturing and clinical research.
- Opportunities for international research stays (3-6 months) and participation in scientific conferences.
- San Sebastián is a vibrant coastal city in the Basque Country, northern Spain, offering a high quality of life and an international environment.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a predoctoral contract under Spanish regulations and the requirements for admission to the Doctoral Programme in Applied Engineering at the University of Navarra.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Engineering, or equivalent qualifications that provide access to doctoral studies in Spain.
For admission to the Doctoral Programme in Applied Engineering, a minimum Master's grade of 6/10 or equivalent academic performance is required. Candidates must also demonstrate a minimum English level of B2. If no formal certificate is available, English proficiency may be assessed during the interview.
Selection process
Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic, scientific and technical merits and their suitability for the research activities of the ADAPT-BONE project. Particular attention will be given to the candidate's background in mechanics of materials, structural mechanics, finite element analysis and numerical modelling.
The selection process will follow the evaluation criteria established in the funding call, including academic/scientific/technical merits and suitability for the proposed research activities. Admission to the Doctoral Programme in Applied Engineering will be required for the successful candidate.
Additional comments
The PhD will provide interdisciplinary training in computational mechanics, porous and lattice structures, additive manufacturing and experimental mechanics, with applications in orthopaedic implant design. The candidate will gain experience across numerical and experimental research approaches and will have opportunities to collaborate with international research partners.
The candidates are asked to submit the following documents:
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae, including scientific achievements
- A copy of Master’s degree diploma and academic record
- Certificate confirming knowledge of English (in the absence of a certificate, knowledge of English will be checked during an interview).
Website for additional job details: https://www.unav.edu/web/programa-de-doctorado-en-ingenieria-aplicada
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: University of Navarra
Country: Spain
State/Province: Guipúzcoa
City: San Sebastián
Postal Code: 20018
Street: Paseo de Manuel Lardizabal 13
Contact
State/Province: Navarra
City: Pamplona
Website: https://tecnun.unav.edu/
Street: Campus Universitario
Postal Code: 31009
E-Mail: nrodriguezf@unav.es, sruiz@unav.es, investigacion@unav.es
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