Vacancies
We regularly have exciting opportunities for researchers to join our team.
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Current vacancies
PhD Opportunity: Efficient In Silico Trials for Bone Diseases
Closing date: 31 October 2024
Employer: The University of Sheffield (School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering)
Location: Sheffield
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About the Project
The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at the University of Sheffield is recruiting for a PhD position associated with the EPSRC funded New Investigator Award BONESFE. The position will be based within the Integrated Musculo-Skeletal Biomechanics Group in the Insigneo Institute, a collaboration between the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
This project is concerned with the exciting new area of In Silico Trials. In Silico Trials aim to predict the safety and efficacy of medical interventions (i.e. devices and drugs), which are necessary to obtain regulatory approval such that these interventions can be brought to market. At the same time, In Silico Trials need fewer patients and/or shorter trial durations than conventional clinical trials and can reduce the cost to enter the market for much-needed medical products.
With a focus on bone diseases and drugs and devices used to treat them, the project will leverage recent advances in the characterisation of bone shape variation in a population and in the development of intrusive stochastic finite-element analysis tools. The overall aim of the project is to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of conducing In Silico Trials, thus encouraging uptake of this technology by device and drug manufacturers.
We are looking for applicants who are eager to develop new skills and apply their existing knowledge. The project requires a good level of mathematical and solid mechanics background and will require the candidate to develop and extend existing finite-element code and execute it on high-performance computing systems. You should be excited to learn and develop new technology, be passionate about the subject and look to be creative in your work.
Applicants should hold or be completing this year a degree at a good level (2.1/1st or equivalent) in a related subject, e.g. engineering, physics, maths, computer science, and should be able to demonstrate good interpersonal and organisational skills.
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the project supervisor, Dr Pinaki Bhattacharya (p.bhattacharya@sheffield.ac.uk) to discuss your interest in and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application.
To apply, please use our on-line PhD application form
Funding Notes
The funding for this opportunity includes fees set for UK (Home) applicants and a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per year, up to 3.5 years. Overseas applicants will need to cover the difference in fees from their own funds which is approximately £22,884 per year. Overseas applicants should ensure they can pay the difference in fees prior to applying or sending any enquiries.
PhD Opportunity: Computational Modelling of Intracranial Haemorrhage and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Closing date: 5 December 2024
Employer: The University of Sheffield (School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering)
Location: Sheffield
Apply now
About the Project
Traumatic Intracranial Haemorrhage (ICH), or brain bleeding, is a critical and life-threatening medical emergency often caused by traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from incidents such as falls or head collisions. ICH is a leading cause of disability and death, with current treatment protocols relying heavily on symptomatic observation and imaging assessments. However, patient responses to ICH can vary significantly, making it difficult for clinicians to accurately predict the progression of haemorrhage or to determine the optimal timing for surgical intervention.
Biomechanics plays a fundamental role in ICH progression. The bleeding deforms brain tissue, elevates intracranial pressure and disrupts blood flow, all of which contribute to brain injury. However, such biomechanics information has not been used in clinical practices. This PhD project seeks to address these gaps by developing advanced models that simulate the mechanical progression of ICH, improving both clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Objectives:
The core objectives of the project include:
- Developing and validating high-fidelity finite element models of the brain to simulate mechanical responses during ICH.
- Correlating biomechanical factors (such as pressure and brain deformation) with patient outcomes using clinical data from large-scale databases (e.g. CENTER-TBI).
- Employing machine learning algorithms to create fast predictive models for ICH progression, enabling real-time decision support in clinical settings.
Collaborations:
This PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with several leading institutions, including University of Sheffield Medical School, University of Cambridge, Antwerp University Hospital, Salford Royal Hospital and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. These collaborations will provide access to extensive clinical datasets and expertise in neuroimaging, emergency medicine and neurosurgery. Additional support for blood flow modelling will be provided by experts at the University of Sheffield’s Insigneo Institute.
The applicant:
Applications are welcome from graduates with a biomechanics, mechanical engineering, neuroimaging or computer science background. Other relevant STEM or engineering background or relevant industrial experience will be considered.
Applicants should hold or be completing a degree at a good level (2.1/1st or equivalent) in a related subject, e.g. biomechanics, mechanical engineering, computer science, and should be able to demonstrate good interpersonal and organisational skills. The project is available for an immediate start, with a latest start date of September 2025.
Contact:
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the project supervisor, Dr Xiancheng Yu (xiancheng.yu@sheffield.ac.uk) to discuss your interest and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application. Email subject title: “PhD enquiry: Computational Modelling of Intracranial Haemorrhage and Traumatic Brain Injuries”
Application Link: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/apply
Funding Notes
The funding for this opportunity includes fees set for UK (Home) applicants and a tax-free stipend at the standard EPSRC rate (£19,237 in 2024/25) per year, up to 3.5 years. Overseas applicants will need to cover the difference in fees from their own funds which is approximately £22,884 per year. Overseas applicants must ensure they can pay the difference in fees prior to applying or sending any enquiries.
