Doctoral Researcher – Multiscale Modeling of Cartilage Mechanics

Are you a driven early-career researcher with a passion for molecular biology, mechanics, and mechanobiology? Join the ERC-funded OA-CONNECT project, where we investigate a fundamental question: Why does mechanical loadingnormally beneficial for cartilage and chondrocytesbecome harmful in osteoarthritis (OA)?

Our research bridges joint mechanics and cellular processes through a multiscale and multidisciplinary approach. We combine in vitro, in silico, and in vivo methodologies to map the complete pathway from mechanical stimulus to cellular response, aiming to understand what changes occur in OA.

In this role, the focus is on developing advanced multiscale models that mechanistically relate mechanical loading at the cartilage surface to the cells microenvironment and molecular processes. This includes:
Utilizing finite element models of cartilage deformation under load, validated using deformation microscopy, high-field MRI, and clinical MRI to map strain fields...