Eighteen (18) month postdoc position in mechanical modeling of knitted textile reinforced materials at different scales for health applications (funded by Amidex)

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 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 improvement of female pelvic organ prolapse (POP) treatment with innovative partially resorbable medical textiles.
ObjectiveThe postdoc objective is to model the mechanical behaviour of bare and matrix embedded knitted textiles at different scales (fabric-macro / pore-meso / yarn-micro – Figure 2) when subjected to POP physiological relevant loading conditions. The modelling work will be based on some available experimental results. Additional testing will be carried out. Understanding how scales influence each other and how textiles impact the composites behaviour are expected to orient the modelling approach and limit the number of constitutive equation parameters to be identified by inverse method.
Main phases and deliverablesThe researcher will benefit from LBA’s expertise in modelling and characterizing technical textiles. The work will include the following tasks (provisional timescale):
– Updating the literature review (2 months)
– Multi-scale modelling and simulation aligned with experimental findings (10 months)
– Complementary textile testing (4 months)
– Communication objective : 1 article submitted, 1 podium presentation (2  months)
WORK LOCATION(S): Laboratoire de Mécanique Appliquée (LBA) Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales – Aix-Marseille Université Secteur Nord, 51 Bd Pierre Dramard F-13015 Marseille, France
TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / TO BE DEFINED / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30/04/2025ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/10/2025ENVISAGED DURATION: 18 months
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 numerical simulations for health and safety application 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 material and structural modelling
– Experienced in non-linear Finite Element numerical simulation
– Experience in mechanical testing 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, 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