Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (Early Stage Researcher) Marie-Curie Maßnahmen

The Institute of Biomechanics, TUHH Hamburg University of Technology is offering a temporary (3 years) position for an Early Stage Researcher starting latest November 1st 2010.
The position is part of the SpineFX Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN) giving early-stage researchers the opportunity to improve their research skills by joining established research teams in order to enhance their career prospects.

EU - Early Stage Researcher (ESR)
Salary grade according to EU ITN regulation, ID-No.: S-10-28.4

TUHH tries to increase the percentage of women at the institution. Therefore, women are especially encouraged to submit their application. The salary depends on the candidate’s personal situation. The overall employee related funding of the EU, including special payments will range from approximately 42.000 € p.a. to 48.000 € p.a.. This funding will cover the gross salary and the employers’ share (~20%).

Job description:
This is a training-through-research position as part of an international University-Industry-Network. The participant will work on personalised projects within the frame of the research topics defined by the network. This job offer is dedicated to:

Interface of Fixation Devices

Treatment of spinal trauma with conventional implants places high demands on the interface between the implant and bone. Screw loosening or pullout and intervertebral device subsidence or migration can result if there is a breakdown of the implant-bone interface. A further challenge which precludes the use of these implants in the elderly arises, when the bone is weakened due to osteoporosis or metastases. In this project the goal is to improve the interface of fixation devices, through novel implant design, enhanced materials and the use of new hybrid fixation systems. Improvement of fixation interfaces may also be accomplished through cement reinforcement.
Within this project a team of two early stage researchers (clinician and engineer, university) and a experienced researcher (industry) centre on the generation of a new range of implants to provide optimal hold in the cancellous core of the vertebra or the posterior pedicles. A survey concerning interface failure and a comprehensive program of design and experimental verification of different concepts for interface enhancement will be the basis for the project. Numerical Simulation of the performed experiments on multi-level spine FEMs is required to gain additional insight into the project results and improve the development. The most promising prototypes will undergo an in vitro preclinical testing on cadaveric specimens including characterisation of surfaces and performance.
An important aspect of this position is the collaboration with the members of the project team and the network partners in different countries. The candidate will be expected to have at least one secondment to one of the partners. The partners mostly involved in this project are Ulrich medical (Ulm, Germany), BoneSupport (Lund, Sweden) and the Legal Medicine Department of the University Hospital Eppendorf (Hamburg, Germany).
Bi-annual training events will be delivered by SpineFX partner organisations in the different countries and are mandatory to be attended. Each ESR will have a Personal Career Development Plan, designed with the supervisor at the beginning of the fellowship, covering training needs (including complementary skills) and scientific objectives. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to enrol into a PhD program.

Qualification:
A higher-than-average Masters degree in engineering or physical sciences is expected. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential. The candidate has to demonstrate work flexibility and has to show readiness to travel to collaborating partners. The network language will be English. Therefore a good knowledge of English language is mandatory and basic knowledge of German language is preferable.
Self-motivation and curiosity is essential to be part of an interdisciplinary team of surgeons, engineers and other scientist. Disabled person with same qualification will be favoured. In addition certain eligibility criteria apply in a Marie Curie ITN program:
a) Early-stage researchers are defined as those in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers, starting at the date of obtaining the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate is envisaged.
b) Candidates have not resided or carried out their main activity in Germany for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to their recruitment.
c) Candidates should not be a national of Germany (there are two exceptions: researchers with more than one nationality can be recruited if they have not resided in Germany during the previous five years; researchers who have legally resided and have had their principal activity (work, studies, etc) in a third country for at least three out of the last four years).

Informal enquires to:
Dr.-Ing. Gerd Huber
g.huber@tuhh.de
TUHH Hamburg University of Technology
Institute of Biomechanics (M-3)
Denickestraße 15
21073 Hamburg, Germany

Candidates are asked to supply meaningful job application documents including CV in table form, testimonials and references. To simplify the process PDF-documents via e-mail are favoured (address below, please copy to g.huber@tuhh.de). The deadline will be July 31st, 2010. Please add the ID-No.: S-10-28.4. TUHH will not send application documents back. Please submit copies only.

Cornelia.Haak@tu-harburg.hamburg.de
Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg
- Personalreferat PV 322.6 -
21071 Hamburg, Germany