Doctoral Research Associate in the MSCA Doctoral Network GAP (image-Guided computational and experimental Analysis of fractured Patients)

27 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

ELETTRA - SINCROTRONE TRIESTE S.C.P.A.

Department

Syrmep Beamline

Research Field

Physics » Biophysics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Italy

Application Deadline

12 Mar 2024 - 23:00 (Europe/Rome)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

2 May 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

DA/24/7

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
Beamline / Project / Activity description

Age-related bone fractures are a major health concern, resulting worldwide in high economic and psycho- social burden, morbidity and increasing mortality. With aging and in the presence of bone pathologies, human bone becomes more brittle and prone to damage. A disruptive clinical hypothesis considers the SARS-Cov-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 as an additional contributing factor in bone deterioration.

At the macro-scale, identification of fragility occurs through clinical practice: common clinical tools, however, are able to predict only 70% of fractures. For this reason, an in-depth investigation of the bone micro-architecture would be a fundamental tool to identify damage mechanisms, improve the reliability of fracture risk indicators and perform more accurate diagnosis of bone pathologies. This knowledge level goes beyond the current state of the art and this is where GAP comes into play, providing attractive, multi-disciplinary and versatile training strategies for multi-scale detection, understanding and patient-specific treatment of bone fractures. The overarching aim of GAP proposal is to educate young and talented scientists towards a combined high-level experimental and numerical approach for the early-stage detection and mini-invasive treatments of bone fractures, shedding some light on bone micro-scale alterations due to pathologies. The interdisciplinary findings, that exploit cutting-edge multi-scale imaging facilities and advanced artificial intelligent-based strategies, will be a crucial aspect in the training of skilled researchers.

Job description

In the framework of the GAP project, the main objectives of the Doctoral Candidate at Elettra (DC2) will be:

develop a procedure to investigate micro-scale damages by phase-contrast microtomography (PC microCT) by means of synchrotron radiation;

define a suitable protocol for synchrotron radiation studies, including optimum scan parameters, time-interval evaluation and different samples conditions;

 perform tests at Elettra to obtain the images of the evolution of micro-damages;

 automatically detect cracks and micro-damages from synchrotron images by topological and geometrical approaches.

Requirements

Research Field

Physics » Applied physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

A Master Degree or equivalent in Biomedical engineering, physics, medical physics or computer engineering is required, with a documented background in biomedical, material, computer engineering or related fields.

Basic knowledge of programming (C or Python, etc.) and/or image processing techniques and/or data visualization software (ImageJ, VGStudio, Avizo, etc.) will be considered as a valuable asset.

We welcome applications from doctoral candidates fulfilling the following criteria:

1. Any nationality is acceptable, but the applicant must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. Time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention (1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol), compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not considered as part of the above 36 month period.

2. Must meet the entry requirements for PhD enrolment, i.e., he/she  must hold a 2nd Level Master Degree (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a bachelor degree) or a Single Cycle Degree (minimum 300 ECTS), or a comparable university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, computer engineering or related disciplines.

3. Must not have a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis, but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

4. Proficient in the English language (if not native speaker). English proficiency of short-listed applicants shall be assessed during the selection interview.

5. Aware of and adhere to the principles set out in the Commission Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers.

6. Must be available to enroll in a 3-year full-time PhD program at the Politecnico di Milano.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Benefits

- insurance covering accidents outside of the workplace;

- supplementary medical insurance;

- reimbursement for school textbooks[1]

- lunch vouchers[2] .

 

[1]               The reimbursed amount depends on the child age and the type of school (e.g. primary, intermediate, high).

[2]               Each voucher is worth euro 5,29 and typically covers a 1,5 course meal at the company canteen.

Selection process

The appointment envisioned is a fixed term contract with a duration of 36 months.

Applications should include the full curriculum vitae (including publications, if any), a motivation letter, the names and contact information (including electronic mail) of at least one person who has agreed to provide references, english certificate (if not native speakers ) and copies of degree and academic transcripts (with grades and rankings), for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Academic records not written in English should be accompanied by a translation into English (it can be either an official translation or self-translation).

The interviews may be held via video conferencing.

The deadline for the submission of the application is March 12, 2024.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA

Country

Italy

City

Trieste

Postal Code

34149

Street

SS 14 KM 163,5

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.elettra.eu/about/careers.html?id=3821

Contact

State/Province

Italy

City

TRIESTE

Website

http://www.elettra.eu/

Street

Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. s.s. 14 km 163,5 Area Science Park 34149 Trieste

Postal Code

34149

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED