Eighteen (18) month postdoc position in mechanics in order to establish, during an impact, the strain fields within a head protection helmet based on measurements from an embedded “smart” textile

RESEARCHER PROFILE: Postdoc / R2: PhD holders RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Engineering, Computer ScienceMAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Medical Sciences
JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION
Host institutionThe Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics (LBA) is a joint research unit of the University Gustave Eiffel and Aix-Marseille University, located within the Faculty of Medicine on the North Hospital-University Campus in Marseille. Its research program is based on the biomechanical modelling and numerical simulation of the human body (Virtual Human) for health, sports, and safety applications. The laboratory’s objectives include understanding trauma mechanisms to improve prevention and treatment of resulting injuries, and enhancing medical devices and associated surgical techniques.
Scientific contextThis postdoc research is part of the 3 year Excellence Chair program “Innovative Materials for Human Body Applications” funded by the A*Midex foundation and initiated in 2025 (https://www.univ-amu.fr/fr/public/actualites/decouvrez-les-nouveaux-laureats-des-appels-projets-amidex-decembre-2024). 5 full time equivalent researchers are planned to be recruited. More specifically, this postdoc concerns the work package dealing with the integration of instrumented /”smart” textiles in head protection helmets to predict cranio-cerebral injuries in real time.
ObjectiveThe post-doc aims to establish, during an impact, the transfer function between the measurement of the physical quantity (electrical or optical signal) obtained by a “smart” textile integrated into a head protection helmet and the deformations undergone by the helmet or its parts. The available technologies best suited to the needs in terms of feasibility, spatial and temporal resolution, measurement range, and finally reliability will have to be evaluated before being deployed. A dialogue between experiments and numerical simulations will be initiated with loading conditions of increasing complexity.
Main phases and deliverablesThe researcher will benefit from LBA’s expertise in modelling and characterizing technical textiles (multi-scale) and protective helmet. The work will include the following tasks (provisional timescale):
–    Literature review (2 months)
–    Experiments on systems with integrated “smart” textiles: from bare textiles subjected to quasi-static tensile force to 2-wheeled helmets submitted to an impact (6 months)
–    Multi-scale modelling and simulation aligned with the tests (6 months)
–    Establishment of the transfer function (2 months)
–    Communication objective: 1 submitted article, 1 podium presentation (2 months)
TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / TO BE DEFINED / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME                     APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30/04/2025ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 1/10/2025ENVISAGED DURATION: 18 months
WORK LOCATION(S): Laboratoire de Biomécanique Appliquées (LBA) Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales – Aix-Marseille Université Secteur Nord, 51 Bd Pierre Dramard F-13015 Marseille, France
WHAT WE OFFER: Gross salary from 2 800 € to 3 200 € per month, opportunity to further develop a research career in a laboratory that has gained international recognition and influence in human body simulation for health and safety applications over the past decades ( https://lba.univ-gustave-eiffel.fr/ ). Based on the researcher’s motivation and achievement, the postdoc could be potentially extended.
Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal
QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS
– PhD in mechanics or in engineering (with major in mechanics or biomechanics) required
– Solid theoretical foundation in continuum mechanics
– Skilled in modelling and dynamic simulation using the Finite Element Method (LS Dyna, Radioss, etc.)
– Aptitude for experimental work (experience in signal processing would be a plus)
Soft skills: Autonomy, Teamwork, Analytical and critical thinking, Strong written and oral ability, C1 level in English or French required
REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS
– CV, list of publications and podiums and a minimum of 2 references,
– Selection will be based on knowledge in continuum mechanics, experience in the field of material/structural modelling and ability to engage in the Chair of Excellence program,
– Application closure by April 30th 2025, in-person or videoconference interview process completed by May 31th 2025, selection by mid-June 2025.
HOW TO APPLY: [email protected]  – https://lba.univ-gustave-eiffel.fr/recrutement