Implantable Biomechatronic Muscle-Tendon Systems in Animal Models

We have an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Research Position to work on novel implantable assistive muscle-tendon systems in animal models. The postdoctoral researcher will interact closely within our cross-disciplinary team to help test, and develop, biocompatible implantable micro-actuators and elastic tendon constructs to assist impaired walking arising from muscle weakness (performed on avian bipedal animal models).

Experimental work will be performed in Dr. Rubenson’s group (Muscle Function + Locomotion Laboratory and the Biomechanics Laboratory; Kinesiology Department / Integrative and Biomedical Physiology Program) at Penn State University.  Dr. Rubenson’s group adopts both whole-body biomechanical and energetic analyses and muscle-level analyses using in vivo and computational (e.g. OpenSim) techniques.  Further experimental work and training in orthopaedic surgical techniques will take place in Dr. Aynardi’s group in the Dept. of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Penn State’s College of Medicine.  The Postdoctoral researcher will work closely with partners in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Dept. of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State (Dr. Bo Cheng and Dr. Larry Cheng) and the School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech (Dr. Gregory Sawicki), with opportunities for training in bio- and wearable robotics and actuation, biosensing, and closed-loop control. Opportunities exist for collaborative research and training visits to Dr. Sawicki’s group at Georgia Tech.

The position is part of a new Penn State Huck Institutes of Life Sciences (https://www.huck.psu.edu/) program partnering Penn State’s College of Health & Human Development, College of Medicine, and College of Engineering, and Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering. 

Candidates should have a PhD degree in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, kinesiology, orthopaedics, biology/physiology/zoology, or a related field. We seek candidates with experience in animal research with a strong biomechanical and/or orthopaedic background, and eager to learn state-of-the art biomechatronic skills. Alternatively, those with a background in biorobotics/biomechatornics interested in exploring experimental/ in vivo research in animals may also apply.  Strong technical skills including MATLAB programming and experience with motion analysis, in vivo instrumentation, cadaveric/orthopaedic analyses, and/or computational biomechanics, is highly desirable.

The appointment is initially for one year, with the potential for a second year contingent on performance and milestone assessment.  We are planning for the postdoctoral position to start Sept 1, 2021, but can be somewhat flexible on the start date.

If you are interested, please send an email including a cover letter outlining your background and relevant experience, your CV, selected publications, and contact information for three references to Dr. Jonas Rubenson ([email protected]) and cc. Dr. Gregory Sawicki ([email protected]).