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PhD Student in the field of Hybrid Metamaterials for Bone Replacement

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Switzerland.png Switzerland
  • University/Institute Name Empa
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position Funding Type Research Assistantship (RA)
  • Unspecified Expired
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Position Details (PhD Research Project)

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa’s around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Our Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics in Dübendorf, near Zürich, is looking for a PhD Student within a project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) in cooperation with ETH Zürich and TU Delft.

 

Background of the project
As populations around the world continue to age, societies face a significant healthcare challenge: the increasing prevalence of bone fractures among the elderly. This not only affects the quality of life for millions of individuals but also places a tremendous economic burden on healthcare systems, as the costs associated with treating bone fractures are escalating rapidly. This growing demand underscores the critical need for advanced medical implants that provide effective, long-lasting solutions to support bone healing. Developing innovative implants that can better integrate with the body, reduce complications, and improve patient outcomes is essential in addressing this urgent healthcare challenge.

Though rooted in medical applications, this challenge is largely a materials challenge. Existing medical implants are dominated by rigid structures that often lack the adaptability and sophistication required for dynamic biological environments. Despite the promising potential of soft hydrogels in combination with in situ mineralization that could offer greater flexibility and biocompatibility, research in this area remains limited, with numerous fabrication challenges yet to be addressed.

This collaborative project in close collaborration with partners at ETHZ and TU Delft aims to bridge the gap in current medical implant technology by designing, fabricating, and testing biomimetic, compliant metastructures made of hydrogel-ceramic nanocomposites capable of mechano-directed bone formation and designed to closely match the chemical, mechanical, and morphological properties of native bone. The role of the PhD student at Empa will be the development of synthesis processes using light-based 3D printing of hydrogel-ceramic composites in close collaboration with a PhD student at the Biomaterials Engineering Group at ETHZ and the identification of process-structure-property relationships enabling the efficient design and synthesis of complex metastructures for bone replacement.

PhD Student in the field of Hybrid Metamaterials for Bone Replacement

Your tasks
In this interdisciplinary project at the interface of materials science, nanofabrication, and biomedical engineering you will design, synthesize, and characterize hydrogel-ceramic nanocomposites and architectured metamaterials for bone replacement. During the course of the project, you will work in a multidisciplinary team, interact with the other 4 PhD students of the project at ETHZ and TU Delft, and use state of the art methods such as Nanoindentation, Raman Spectroscopy, Digital Light Processing, Two-Photon Lithography, Electron Microscopy, and Numerical Simulations. Your research will contribute to the development of innovative metamaterials with hydrogel-ceramic nanocomposites base materials that feature tunable properties and improved biological performance for bone replacement applications.

Your profile
You must hold a Master’s or an equivalent Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering or closely related fields. A high motivation to work at the leading edge of materials research at the interface to biomedical engineering in an international, multidisciplinary team is essential. Good knowledge of English (oral and written) is essential. Experience in materials research is important, experience in nanofabrication, micromechanical testing, and numerical simulations is desirable.

Our offer
You will be enrolled in the doctoral program in Mechanical Engineering at ETH Zürich under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Dennis Kochmann and Dr. Jakob Schwiedrzik. This fully-funded and full-time position will be available immediately or upon agreement, with a planned project duration of four years.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities – that’s what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

Position Start Date

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