Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition. Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset. Description of the workplaceThis post-doctoral position is part of the EU cofund research project AMBER, Advanced Multiscale Biological imaging using European Research infrastructures, will address scientific and sectoral gaps in biological imaging ranging from molecular, through cellular, to tissue, organ and organism levels of organisation, and is coordinated by LINXS Institute of advanced Neutron and X-ray Science. AMBER is funded by the EU Marie Skodowska-Curie (MSCA) COFUND scheme. Around 20 postdocs will be recruited in the fourth call, with each fellowship lasting 36 months. AMBER has six core partners: Lund University/MAX IV, Sweden, the European Spallation Source (ESS), Sweden, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), France, the International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines, (IMOL), Poland, and the Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, United Kingdom. This position will be placed at the Biomechanics group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University. The interdisciplinary research is focused on understanding the link between mechanics and biology in the musculoskeletal system, including related pathologies and repair of skeletal tissues. Experimental tissue characterisation methods, imaging and computational simulation techniques are used. The research is applied to understand orthopaedic problems and to develop better methods to improve tissues regeneration. The group encompasses about 15 scientists (PhD students, post-docs, researchers and teachers) and is located at the BMC-building (Biomedical Center). The expertise includes computational and experimental mechanics of biological tissues, where a large part of the experimental work takes place at large scale facilities, using imaging, scattering and spectroscopy-based techniques. The group strives for an inclusive environment, largely based on collaboration and trust, where development towards an independent researcher is largely encouraged and supported. The research is connected to the LTH profile area Engineering Health. Subject and project descriptionWithin AMBER your work will include clinical and biomedical projects. It will also include technique development work aimed at combining imaging techniques and data analysis to provide a more integrated picture of life processes in the context of health and disease. To be a postdoc fellow at the AMBER programme you will get unprecedented medical, biological, and methodological capabilities, with a profound potential impact for Europe’s next generation of research and researchers. When you have completed the AMBER programme you will be extraordinarily well equipped to further your career in academia, at infrastructures, in the health and MedTech sectors, and beyond. Tendons like most musculoskeletal tissues are mechanosensitive, meaning that they adapt to the local mechanical loading. We have earlier shown that the collagen fiber structure is affected by unloading of the tendon in a small animal model. However, small animal model findings are not always transferable to larger mammals or humans. The goal for the post-doc is to investigate how the tendon structure and mechanical function develops over time, and how this development is affected by lack of mechanical stimulation, using a large animal model. The technical goal includes to develop, perform and analyse data from high resolution experimental imaging of large animal tendon tissue, using mainly synchrotron phase contrast X-ray tomography, but also other imaging modalities and linking it to mechanical and compositional properties. Fundamental understanding of these relationships may benefit development of better rehabilitation strategies to promote tendon repair after rupture. Work dutiesThe main duty of the post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development. The research duties will focus on animal models of development and mechanobiology of tendons, with specific focus on imaging. This includes developing, supporting, and analysing synchrotron-based experimental data, specifically tomography, to understand developmental tendon biomechanics and mechanobiology. Detailed description of the work duties:
Qualification requirementsAppointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Additional requirements:
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