PhD Position in Computational Multiscale Modelling of Bone Fracture Healing Mechanobiology

The Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics of Prof. Ralph Müller, Department of Health Science & Technology, Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich is offering a 

PhD Position in Computational Multiscale Modelling of Bone Fracture Healing Mechanobiology

The aim of the research is to develop and formalise a theoretical foundation for modelling the mechanobiology of biological systems at the molecular, cellular, and organ level with a first implementation elucidating the mechanobiological regulation of bone fracture healing. A possible approach envisioned is to propose a new kind of computing machine similar to or based on Cellular Automata that mimics biological information processing for each of these different scales, links them together and is capable of integrating established computational models and numerical methods. This is a formidable challenge in terms of understanding and synthesising current knowledge of mechanobiological functioning across scales and based on this developing and formalising appropriate computing machines. The motivation is to make more use of the ever growing amount of data available from biomedical measurements to better understand complex mechanobiological mechanisms and ultimately improve pre-clinical testing and clinical diagnosis and prognosis. Experimental and clinical data including time-lapse in vivo high-resolution CT image data and biomarker measurements of patients with fractures will be available to verify the newly developed multiscale modelling theory in its first application. The purpose of this application is to unravel the local mechanoregulation of bone fracture healing in healthy, aged and osteoporotic humans guiding the development of future therapies, which is particularly difficult and needed in the latter two cases.

The successful candidate holds or will soon receive a master’s degree in Computational Science and Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or Applied Mathematics, preferably with some background in computational modelling. It is essential that the candidate is willing and motivated to work on the foundations of biological multiscale modelling and theory. Additionally, excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) are required.

For further information please contact Dr. Patrik Christen at patrik.christen@hest.ethz.ch (no application documents) or visit our group website www.bone.ethz.ch.

We are looking forward to receive your online application. It should include a motivation letter, CV, university transcripts and names and contact details of two references. Please send it to: ETH Zurich, Human Resources, Mrs. Nadja Lang, CH-8092 Zurich.

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