(Paris), the TIMC Laboratory (Grenoble), and other partner sites (Pprime in Poitiers, IRISA in Rennes), as well as for consortium meetings and international conferences.
1) CONTEXT
This PhD is part of the MorphoTwin-Feet project (CNRS internal initiative 80|PRIME 2026), led by the TIMC laboratory (UMR 5525, CNRS / Université Grenoble Alpes) and the HNHP laboratory (UMR 7194, CNRS, MNHN, UPVD), bringing together a consortium of seven partners: CNRS-Pprime/ISAE-ENSMA, CNRS-IRISA, CNRS-MECADEV/MNHN, CNRS-DoHNÉE/MNHN, and the company Twinsight. This consortium combines expertise in biomechanics, paleoanthropology, comparative anatomy, primatology, and medicine.
The goal is to develop the first generation of biomechanical digital twins of the foot capable of representing the morpho-functional variability of humans (including orthopedic conditions such as hallux valgus, flat or high arches, and ankle instability), non-human primates (chimpanzees, baboons, macaques), and fossil hominins (Australopithecus afarensis, A. prometheus, A. sediba).
By combining high-fidelity biomechanical modeling, statistical shape models, and AI-assisted model reduction, the project aims to link form and function across typical and atypical anatomies —both modern and fossil— to design personalized orthopedic devices and to better understand the diversity of human bipedalism throughout evolution.
2) MISSIONS & MAIN ACTIVITIES
a) In silico
- Evaluate and validate an existing biomechanical model of the human foot (OrthoSim joint laboratory, TIMC/Twinsight) by comparing its predictions (joint mobility, bone kinematics) with weight-bearing CT scans (WBCT).
- Adapt the model to the feet of non-human primates: reformulate modeling choices (joint geometry, ligamentous organization) to reflect their specific morphologies.
b) Ex vivo
- Develop an experimental protocol for simulating motion using a robotic arm and fluoroscopic imaging for model calibration and validation.
c) Applications
- Apply the developed framework to partial fossil hominin specimens (Australopithecus afarensis, A. prometheus, A. sediba).
- Develop statistical shape models and contribute to the training of hybrid AI-mechanical meta-models (model reduction).
- Contribute to the project's deliverables: scientific publications, conference presentations, open-source code, and a database.
3) EXPECTED SKILLS
- Master's degree in numerical mechanics, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
- Experience in biomechanical modeling, ideally applied to rigid multibody systems and to the musculoskeletal system.
- Python programming (NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn); interest in statistics, machine learning, model reduction, and AI-mechanics integration.
- Experience in medical imaging or anatomical reconstruction (segmentation, landmarking, CT/MRI processing) would be an asset.
- An interest in comparative anatomy, evolutionary biology, or paleoanthropology is appreciated but not required.
- An interest in experimental research is required in connection with work on anatomical specimens.
- Fluent English (the working language of the international consortium); French is useful for communication with clinical and academic partners.
- Independence, rigor, and scientific curiosity to work within a multidisciplinary consortium (engineers, clinicians, anatomists, paleoanthropologists).
Where to apply
Website: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5525-YOHPAY-004/Default.aspx
Requirements
Research Field: Engineering
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Research Field: Physics
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Languages: FRENCH
Level: Basic
Research Field: Engineering
Years of Research Experience: None
Research Field: Physics » Acoustics
Years of Research Experience: None
Research Field: Engineering » Materials engineering
Years of Research Experience: None
Additional Information
Website for additional job details: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5525-YOHPAY-004/Default.aspx
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: recherche Translationnelle et Innovation en Médecine et Complexité
Country: France
City: PARIS
Contact
City: PARIS
Website: http://www-timc.imag.fr
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