Job Description

PhD studentship vacancy
Micro-structural failure mechanisms in ageing extra-cellular matrices

Extra-cellular Matrix Mechanics Laboratory
Nanyang Technological University,
School of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering
70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637 457
www.ntu.edu.sg/scbe

Job description:

The applicant will participate in the investigation to study the mechanisms of micro-structural failures in the extra-cellular matrix of connective tissues as a function of age at the Extra-cellular Matrix Mechanics (ECMM) Laboratory (NTU). The applicant will be based in Nanyang Technological University (NTU, Singapore). The applicant will carry out mechanical testing and non-destructive measurements (optical coherent tomographic imaging, acoustic emission) and electron microscopy on tendons to develop basic information on stress transfer mechanisms influencing age-related changes in the mechanical properties of the tissue. The applicant will perform this investigation in collaboration with co-PIs, Professor Sirajudeen and Ng BengKoon at EEE (NTU) and external collaborators, Professors Jess Snedeker and Ralph Mueller at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. The applicant is expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.

Requirements

Applicants should have a background in areas related to biomedical engineering and have or expect to gain the equivalent of a First or Upper Second Class Bachelor (Honours) degree and either good scores in (a) GRE/GATE (for Indian applicants) and TOEFL; or (b) NTU-administered English Proficiency (oral and written) and Technical Proficiency Tests. We prefer candidates with a hands-on approach to solving problems, who possess good team spirit, who like working in an international environment and who like the challenge of collaborating with partner groups on the crossroads of material science, biology and engineering. The candidate is expected to be able to communicate in written and spoken English.

Organization

The School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (over 30 faculty members) at NTU offers a range of bachelor and master taught-courses (in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering). The school offers research degrees, i.e. Ph.D. in Bioengineering and in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. The school comprises of two divisions, the Division of Bioengineering, and the Division of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. At the Division of Bioengineering, the ECMM Laboratory is involved in research to understand the mechanisms of ageing in extra-cellular matrices of connective tissues. The ECMM laboratory has collaboration with ETH Zurich and INRA (France).
Employment:

Duration of the contract: 3 years

Additional information can be obtained from:

Dr. Kheng-Lim Goh
Extra-cellular Matrix Mechanics Laboratory
Nanyang Technological University,
School of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering
70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637 457
Telephone number: +65-6316 8825
E-mail address: goh@ntu.edu.sg

Dr. Ng Beng Koon, E-mail address: EBKng@ntu.edu.sg
Dr. Sirajudeen Rajul, E-mail address: ESirajudeen@ntu.edu.sg
Photonics Lab
School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Nanyang Technological University,

Prof. Jess Snedeker
Orthopedic Research Laboratory
Uniklink Balgrist / University of Zurich
Forchstrasse 340
8008 Zurich, Switzerland
Phone: +41 44 386 37 55
Fax: +41 44 386 11 09
E-Mail: jsnedeker@research.balgrist.ch

Prof Ralph Mueller
Institute for Biomechanics
Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10
8093 Zurich, Switzerland
Phone: +41 44 632 45 92
Fax: +41 44 632 12 14
E-Mail: ram@ethz.ch

Application:
You can apply for this job by submitting your CV/resume to scbe_postgraduate@ntu.edu.sg or fax +65 6794 7553 and state the name of the principal investigator, Dr Goh K.L., in your cover letter (also copy your application to Dr Goh at: gohkl@ntu.edu.sg).

Qualifications/Skills Required

BSc (Physics, Biology) or BEng (mechanical, biomedical, chemical)