PhD Position: Computational Mechanics for Living Materials (ALIVE) in Zürich

We welcome applications for a doctoral position within the Advanced Engineering with Living Materials (ALIVE) initiative and as part of the .

The Initiative of ETH Zurich aims at elucidating and applying the design principles of living systems as a basis for sustainable, intelligent and resilient materials and technologies of the future. Our approach encompasses the study of natural systems and the development of biohybrid or biomimetic synthetic systems bridging across scales, from the nano- to the macroscale. This doctoral position will be part of the project stream ZurichJoint: Actuated human joint organoid on-chip for personalised health and hosted by the Mechanics & Materials Lab () in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering of ETH Zurich.

The doctoral project uses state-of-the-art computational techniques (involving finite elements and meshless methods) to simulate the mechanics and physics of tissue in response to external stimuli. The ultimate goal is a human knee joint on a chip, i.e., the stimuli-driven growth of artificial joints in vitro. To this end, the doctoral candidate will be trained in applied and computational mechanics in close interaction with collaborating experimental labs to enable closed feedback loops between simulations and experiments.

Doctoral training will be completed within the MaP Doctoral School, which offers a wide range of activities such as symposia, workshops, and lecture series, as well as the possibility for the doctoral student to engage in organising such formats. Doctoral students will be employed full-time, according to the regulations of ETH Zurich (the corresponding guidelines for doctoral education apply). Upon completing the doctorate, the student will be awarded the title "Doctor of Sciences (Dr. sc. ETH Zurich)" ().

This doctoral student project in the Mechanics & Materials Lab will contribute to the ZurichJoint project, developing the computational methods required to simulate the growth and use of a human joint on a chip. This includes the development of numerical methods and code in C++, the application of meshless modeling techniques, and the collaboration with other participating labs at the interface between simulations and experiments.

Participating ETH Zurich professors may act as co-advisors. Accordingly, doctoral students are expected to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the research groups and to actively seek cross-group collaborations.

You should have a strong background in continuum and/or computational mechanics as well as an interest in the development and application of numerical modelling techniques (ideal experience with C++). Expertise in biomechanics or biological systems is of advantage but not necessarily required.

We offer a cutting-edge research project within an interdisciplinary and international team, a full-time doctoral position, and opportunities for personal and professional growth within the MaP Doctoral School.

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.