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PhD Candidate for the Design and Optimisation of Porous Orthopaedic Implants for Long-Term Performance

On-site in San Sebastián·Added 1 month ago

Universidad de Navarra

6 open roles

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Overview

Requirements

Have the right to work in Spain
Universidad de Navarra doesn't mention sponsorship in the ad.
Work in English
English is required, per the ad.
Work on-site in San Sebastián
No relocation package mentioned.
Master's degree
“Master Degree in: Mechanical Engineering or similar degrees.” — per the ad.

Requirements

What we're looking for

Master Degree in: Mechanical Engineering or similar degrees.

Language: Highly proficient in English

Solid knowledge and practical experience in finite element analysis (FEA) and numerical modelling, preferably using Abaqus.

Good programming skills, preferably in Python.

Strong background in mechanics of materials, strength of materials and structural mechanics.

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Experience in computational design and numerical optimisation will be highly valued.

Experience with porous or lattice structures, additive manufacturing, or fatigue analysis will be considered an advantage.

Previous experience in biomechanics or orthopaedic applications will be considered an advantage.

Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage but is not required for the position.

The role

Tecnun, the Engineering School of the University of Navarra offers a 4-year doctoral contract at the Technological Campus in San Sebastian (Spain)

The PhD project is part of ADAPT-BONE, a research project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The project aims to develop adaptive porous implants for personalised orthopaedic reconstruction.

The PhD will focus on the design and optimisation of porous and lattice orthopaedic implant architectures with tailored mechanical properties and long-term performance. The research will study how porous architecture influences mechanical behaviour and fatigue under physiological loading. Finite element modelling, computational optimisation and experimental characterisation will be combined to develop improved implant designs.

A key aspect of the project will be an iterative design-manufacture-test-redesign approach. Porous architectures will be designed and optimised computationally. They will then be manufactured using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and tested under mechanical and fatigue loading. The experimental results will be used to improve the models and refine the implant designs.

The project will also explore how patient-specific mechanical requirements can be considered when designing porous implants. This work will be carried out in collaboration with the biomechanics and mechanobiology activities of ADAPT-BONE. The PhD will have a specific focus on the mechanical design and performance of the implant.

The candidate will join the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tecnun-University of Navarra, the University's School of Engineering located in San Sebastián, Spain. The PhD will be supervised by Dr. Naiara Rodriguez-Florez and Dr. Sergio Ruiz de Galarreta. The candidate will work in a multidisciplinary research environment involving mechanical and biomedical engineers, additive manufacturing specialists and clinical collaborators. The position will also offer opportunities for international research stays and participation in scientific conferences.

Thesis should be completed in 4 years.

The expected start date is December 1st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

How you'll work

Winter: 7.75 hours per day. ½ June, July and August: 5,5 hours a day.

Flexible hours: check-in between 8:00 and 9:30, check-out from 4:15 p.m.

Vacations:23 days + Christmas holiday (24 Dec-2 Jan).

Hiring process

Cover letter describing your motivation as a thesis candidate.
Updated CV

Undergraduate and Master's degree transcripts.

About Universidad de Navarra

Universidad de Navarra is a private (non-state) Spanish university with campuses in Pamplona, San Sebastián, Madrid and Barcelona. It offers undergraduate degrees, master's programs and doctorates across a wide range of faculties and schools, including Architecture, Sciences, Communication, Law, Economics, Education and Psychology, Nursing, Pharmacy and Nutrition, Medicine, the Tecnun Engineering School, and IESE Business School. Research is a central activity, with dedicated services for researchers, a doctoral school, R&D collaboration with companies, and innovation and technology-transfer units.

For international professionals, the university's main campus is in Pamplona, with additional Spanish campuses in San Sebastián, Madrid and Barcelona, and IESE Business School locations in New York, Munich and São Paulo. Current openings span postdoctoral and PhD research positions (e.g. in nutrition research and orthopaedic implant design), IT roles such as Enterprise Data Architect and IT Business Partner, European project administration, and technical and facilities positions. The university maintains a 'Trabaja con nosotros' (work with us) careers channel and lists talent attraction among its research services.

Industry: Higher Education
In Spain: Pamplona, San Sebastián, Madrid and 1 more
Website: unav.edu

Good to know if you are moving

The university has four Spanish campuses: Pamplona (main campus), San Sebastián (Donostia), Madrid, and Barcelona (IESE Business School).
IESE Business School, part of Universidad de Navarra, also has campuses in New York, Munich and São Paulo.
Current openings include research positions such as a postdoctoral role at the Centro de Investigación en Nutrición and a PhD candidate position on porous orthopaedic implants.
Non-research openings include IT roles (Enterprise Data Architect, IT Business Partner), European project economic/administrative management, and technical and facilities positions (electrician, gardener, occupational risk prevention technician).
The university publishes job openings through its 'Trabaja con nosotros' (work with us) channel and lists 'Atracción de talento' (talent attraction) among its research services.

In their own words

About the company & team

Tecnun-School of Engineering, belongs to the University of Navarra. The aim of the School is to contribute to the professional training, scientific and human development of future engineers. Since its creation in the spring of 1961, it has maintained a balance between teaching, research and service to society, making these activities complement each other.

It currently has two sites campus: the older site, located at the university campus in the Ibaeta district, is made up of the laboratory buildings, the teaching and representation building completed in 1989, and a multipurpose building erected in 1996. The other site is located in the Miramon Technology Park and includes classrooms and research laboratories in the areas of Electricity, Electronics and Communications.

All open roles at Universidad de Navarra