The Laboratory of Biomechanical Orthopedics at the EPFL (lbo.epfl.ch) is seeking a highly motivated PhD student in biomechanics/bioengineering to incorporate a multi-disciplinary team of biologists, engineers and surgeons working in the development of an artificial bone (or equally called bone tissue engineering).
A collaboration on this subject is ongoing with the Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Technology (ltc.epfl.ch), the Orthopedic Cell Therapy Unit (UNIL) and the Orthopedic Hospital at the CHUV. Our group has shwon that by controlling the mechanical loading applied in vivo, an increase in bone formation in artificial scaffold was found compared to the non-loaded situation. This result opens then the possibility to use biomechanical stimulus as an osteogenic factor for bone tissue engineering application. In the proposed PhD project, it is planned to further understand the process of this bone augmentation, in particular by considering mechanotransduction aspects.
The candi¬date should have a Master in Mechanical Engineering or in Bioengineering with a strong motivation to acquire knowlegdes in cell and molecular biology and in vivo technique.
The candidate should send a CV with a letter of motivation and three letters of reference by email only to: dominique.pioletti@epfl.ch.
Upon a first positive feedback candidates should apply to the EPFL Mechanics (EDME) or Bioengineering (EDBB) doctoral programs, where they must be accepted to be subsequently hired for the project (please consult http://phd.epfl.ch).