15 PhD positions: MgSafe (EU-funded MSCA-ITN) 1633 views

The European Training Network “MgSafe” is offering in total 15 PhD positions (m/f) in the area of magnesium implant imaging. The EU-funded MSCA-ITN ‘MgSafe’ investigates a novel combination of imaging technologies for biodegradable magnesium implants in order to promote patient safety.

About the positions:

• The PhD candidates (m/f) will quantify the physical impact and suitability of a variety of modalities on Mg implants. Highly sophisticated imaging techniques (nano and μCT, MRT, PET, USPA, IR) will be developed beyond the forefront of medical device production.
• This will be done in vivo and with in situ labelling options to deliver non-invasively data on different time and length scales.
• The body reaction and material behaviour will be investigated during Mg degradation with a precision and plethora of details, which is currently not available.

Available PhD projects:

1. In vivo characterisation of designated Mg materials (pins and wires) by μCT and fluorescence imaging in rats. Medical University of Graz, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Graz, Austria (Prof. A.-M. Weinberg)
2. Large animal in vivo characterisation of designated full size Mg implants (K‐Wires, screws) by clinical CT in a juvenile sheep model. Medical University of Graz, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Austria (Prof. A.-M. Weinberg) in cooperation with Graz University of Technology, Institute of Biomechanics, Graz, Austria (Prof. G. A. Holzapfel)
3. Histological validation of advanced bone implant imaging techniques. Department of Biomaterials, Institute for Clinical Dentistry, University of Oslo, Norway (Prof. H.J. Haugen)
4. Molecular and structural analyses during bone healing and soft-tissue inflammation. Department of Biomaterials, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden (Prof. P. Thomsen)
5. MRI development for Mg implants to study inflammation. Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Combinatorial Imaging Facility, CiF, Hannover, Germany (Dr. M. Meier)
6. Multimodal imaging of bone regeneration and remodelling after implantation of degradable Mg-based devices in experimental animal models. National Research Council (CNR) Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy (Prof. L. Menichetti)
7. Biochemical and biohumoral studies of bone regeneration and remodelling after implantation. National Research Council (CNR) Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy (Prof. L. Menichetti)
8. In vivo monitoring of the body reaction to the implant by using a novel optical probe and near infrared spectroscopy. Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, Department of Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineering, Oslo, Norway (Dr. Mirtaheri)
9. Characterisation of corrosion layer structure and composition in explants. Biomaterials Group, Materials Design Division, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland (Prof. W. Swieszkowski)
10. Structural characterisation of explants by synchrotron radiation: differential phase contrast (DPC) µ and nano tomography for investigation of Mg implant tissue interface. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute for Materials Research, Outstation at DESY, Hamburg, Germany (Prof.R. Willumeit-Römer)
11. Structural characterisation of explants by synchrotron radiation: Bone remodelling at the implant-bone interface, SAXS investigations. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute for Materials Research, Outstation at DESY, Hamburg, Germany (Prof.R. Willumeit-Römer)
12. Software development for management and visualisation of multimodal data. SCANCO Medical AG, Bruettisellen, Switzerland (Dr. V. Stadelmann)
13. En route to the clinic: MR safety – MR antenna design tailored for Mg alloy implants. MRI.TOOLS GmbH, Robert-Roessle Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany (Prof. T. Niendorf)
14. En route to the clinic: MR safety – influence of Mg implants on MR signal. Syntellix AG and MHH, Research and Development, Hannover, Germany (Dr. J.-M- Seitz)
15. High-resolution ultrasound and photoacoustic (USPA) imaging for human application. Fujifilm Visualsonics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Dr. J. Jose)

Benefits:

• Excellent job opportunities in attractive and well-equipped research groups (e.g. nano and μCT, MRT, PET, USPA, IR, microscopy, cell culture and corrosion laboratories)
• Intense exchange with researchers located in eight European countries
• Comprehensive academic support program including subject-specific courses, soft skill training, research stays abroad, individual career coaching
• 3-year employment contract, salaries according to the EU MSCA-ITN regulations

Qualifications (for the specific requirements of the 15 positions):

• Applicant must hold research-based master’s degree or equivalent (e.g. diploma) in a subject related to the respective position.
• Applicants must possess excellent command of English
• Applicants must demonstrate pro-active attitude, good communication skills and ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary international team
• Applicant must have experience in publishing; motivation to participate in the projects training program
• Applicants are required to be Early-Stage Researchers. They must, at the date of recruitment, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers (= after acquiring MSc degree or similar) and have not been awarded a doctoral degree yet.
• Applicant may be of any nationality.
• Mobility rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

Starting date: April 1^st 2019

Duration: 03 years

How to apply:

• Application to be sent in English quoting job offer code no. 2018/WB 5 and which position he/she is interested in by email preferably in one pdf file not exceeding 10 MB to application.mgsafe@hzg.de and application must include:
• CV with details of academic/education history, including a list of courses/exams and grades, the exact award date (day/month/year) of the degree with original transcripts of Bachelor and Master University Degree (or similar) as well as copy of valid identity documents,
• a list of your publications,
• a list of skills you acquired during the courses attended at university,
• a documentation of special skills suitable for the position you apply for,
• a documentation of your excellent English skills (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, CAE or CPE with minimum scores of: TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test), IELTS: 6.5 with no section lower than 5.5, or equivalent),
• a copy or half-page summary of master/diploma thesis and
• a letter of motivation (up to 2 pages) which states your research experience and interests and a concrete project plan, which explains how you envisage your work in the project,
• names and contact information of at least two academic referees who could write a letter of recommendation.