PhD position in Experimental Biomechanics for a Research Project

One position for a PhD Student in Experimental Biomechanics for 3-4 years; expected from
April 1, 2021 at the Institute of Biomechanics in Graz, Austria.

Acceptance conditions:
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Experimental Physics, Mechanical or Civil
Engineering or related fields and experience, with the desire to pursue a PhD degree.
Requested qualifications: Knowledge in the area of solid mechanics, and interest in biomechanics
and experimental laboratory work; desire to work in a multidisciplinary and collaborative team
environment; fluent English is required.

The PhD Student will be integrated into a collaborative team to perform mechanical testing of
biological soft (rabbit aortic and myocardial) tissues and related analysis/modeling. The project
aims to better understand the incluence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on the cardiovascular
system. HHcy is a novel independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and is
also linked to cardiac pathology. To enhance this understanding, the project will include extensive
mechanical testing at a wide range of loading rates and applied strains, then microstructural
investigations of aortic and myocardial tissues of rabbits fed with HHcy diet, hypercholesterolemia
diet and normal diet. Material parameter estimations using appropriate constitutive models of
(visco)elasticity will be performed for individual samples.

Classification:
B 1 according to the collective agreement for university employees; the monthly
minimum charge for this use is currently € 2.929,00 gross (14 times a year).