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Two 3-Year Fully Funded PhD Fellowships in Medical Device Design and Development for the treatment of Lung Cancer

The Discipline of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering & Informatics at NUI Galway, invite applications for two 3-Year fully funded PhD fellowships in medical device design and development, commencing in February 2012. The positions are within the Biomechanics Research Centre (BMEC), linked to the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) and are funded through the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The project consortium consists of academic and industry partners throughout Europe, co-ordinated by the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, in Germany. The aim of the project is to design and develop a novel stent for the treatment of lung cancer and will combine stent technologies with the field of tissue engineering. In collaboration with the other partners, NUI Galway’s role in the project is focused on stent system analysis, design and prototype development. Both PhD students will work in collaboration on critically important and complementary aspects of the new stent system design and development.

Position 1: Computational modelling for stent system analysis and design

The main focus of this position will be on the development of multi-scale finite element models to simulate the physical performance of the stent system. Fundamental stent mechanics will be explored, as will the performance of therapeutic stent surface coatings. Models for drug elution will be developed and the interaction of the device with bronchotracheal airways and tissues will be evaluated. The experimental results generated in by the in-vitro analysis (Position 2) will be used to inform the modelling.

Position 2: Development of new In-vitro testing systems for tracheobronchial stenting and application to new stent analysis and design.

This position will involve fundamental investigations (both experimental and computational) into bronchotracheal anatomy, physiology and tissue mechanics in order to develop new physiologically appropriate in-vitro testing systems for this novel stent application. Initial candidate stent designs and new designs generated in conjunction with the computational modelling (Position 1) will be analysed and evaluated in the in-vitro testing system with a view to generating working prototype stent and delivery systems for this application.
   

Qualifications and Particulars

Applicants for these positions will ideally have a primary honours degree (2.1 or higher) or a Masters degree in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering or an appropriate cognate discipline. An attractive 3-year package, including an annual stipend of €16,000, tuition fees and funding for necessary research consumables and travel, is on offer. To enhance the learning experience, the appointed students will be able to access the structured PhD programme in Biomedical Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (BMERM) at NUI Galway.

For more information and to submit an application (CV and cover letter) contact:

Professor Peter McHugh, Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, NUI Galway, Ireland.

Tel: 353(0)91 493152, Email: peter.mchughnuigalway.ie
or

Dr. Mark Bruzzi, Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, NUI Galway, Ireland.

Tel: 353(0)91 493036, Email: mark.bruzzinuigalway.ie

Closing Date: Monday 16th January 2012.

    

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