Postdoc Position - Multiscale Modeling of Bone Remodeling Fracture Healing in Zürich

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher with experience in computational modelling who is motivated to work at the interface between biology, engineering, and translational research.

The Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics () within the Institute for Biomechanics (IfB) at ETH Zurich, includes 21 scientific staff organized within with cross-disciplinary expertise in musculoskeletal biomechanics and imaging, tissue engineering, biomaterials, mechanobiology and animal models. Professor Müller as the Head of the LBB has pioneered micro-tomographic imaging (micro-CT) of biological tissues both in vitro and in vivo, a technology that is now successfully used in hundreds of laboratories. The research the Laboratory is currently pursuing employs state-of-the-art biomechanical testing and simulation techniques, novel in vivo models and related molecular biological methods as well as bioimaging and visualization strategies for musculoskeletal tissues.

The Postdoc position is embedded within an ERC Advanced project () and a Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (). The overall goal of these projects is to investigate local bone mechanoregulation in remodeling and fracture healing occurring in healthy, aged, and osteoporotic humans and mice.

The aim of the research is to is to perform bone remodeling and fracture healing simulations using an in-house multiscale, multiphysics model to investigate changes in bone adaptation and regeneration due to aging. Metabolic diseases associated with aging such as osteoporosis result in increased frailty, risk of fracture, and, ultimately, mortality in elderly patients. However, the underlying mechanisms driving such an age-related decline in bone remodelling are not yet well understood. Since our model integrates mechanics, cell behavior and reaction-​diffusion of signaling molecules across multiple length scales, it is uniquely suited for in-depth hypothesis testing on the biochemical and physiological mechanisms behind bone remodeling. The specific aims of this project will therefore be (1) to enhance the existing in-house multiscale multiphysics model with quantitative biological information at the gene and protein scale, leading to an enhanced comprehension of regulatory pathways of bone resorption and formation during bone remodeling and fracture healing, and (2) to assess local bone remodeling and compare the results with biological biomarker measurements in preclinical animal models and patient cohorts.

The successful candidate holds or will soon hold a doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Bioinformatics or a similar field. The candidate must have a strong background in agent-based modeling, finite element analysis, and programming in python. Previous experience in imaging and image processing is preferred. We are looking for a motivated candidate, who wants to work in a multidisciplinary team and support the efforts of PhD students at the interface between biology, engineering and / research with excellent communication skills in English (oral and written).

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.