Research Scientist in Computational and Experimental Implants Research and Development

The department of Digital Design and Processing in the Institute of Active Polymers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, invites applications for a Research Scientist in computational and experimental implants research and development .

At the department of Digital Design and Processing we are working in close collaboration with colleagues at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

Jointly, we are developing clinically led, materials oriented solutions to key healthcare issues, particularly in cardiac and vascular field.

Our key challenge is developing experimentally validated Digital Twins to provide doctors and patients with better implants and improved clinical outcomes.

We have excellent infrastructure for digital design, rapid prototyping and characterisation of materials and medical devices.

We are looking for motivated scientists to join our team.

The position is initially limited to 24 months (starting as soon as possible).

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy.In principle, the full time position (39 h / week) is also sharable.

Your tasks

• Development of Digital Twins of materials and implants with support of colleagues from the centre and external partners
• Development of computational models of cardiac devices in the field of minimally invasive cardiac implants using Finite Element software (ABAQUS or Ansys with use of user defined materials and subroutines)
• Development of computational models of materials and multifunctional materials (e.g. polymers, bioresorbable polymers, piezoelectric polymers)
• Multiscale and cross-scale materials modelling in cooperation with colleagues from the Zentrum
• Fabrication and processing of multifunctional materials (3D printing, electrospinning, bioprinting, extrusion, casting)
• Identifying existing standards for development and testing of materials and devices and developing testing protocols accordingly
• Preparing experimental testing protocols and reports according to existing norm in agreement with regulatory approval guidelines
• Characterisation of material properties including mechanical testing, structural, chemical, thermal, electrical, piezoelectric characterisation methods
• Validation of computational models with experimentally obtained data
• Supporting design of cardiac implants using developed models (materials and geometry optimisation)
• Preparation of invention disclosures and patents describing the developed and conceived inventions
• Procurement of follow-up funding by participating in the preparation of grant applications and their submission
• Participation in scientific conferences in the field, trade fairs and conventions
• Supervision of master students, interns and mentoring of PhD students
• Research and analysis of existing literature in the relevant field
• Analysis of existing IP in the field
• Preparation of scientific and business presentations for conferences, meetings, and presentations
• Communication with companies, universities, and institutions with the aim of cooperation and joint work
• Procurement of materials and consumables to realise the designated tasks
• Participation in group, institute, and company meetings
• Participation in meetings with partners and subcontractors related to the engineering tasks
• Participation in trainings and learning programmes
• Preparation of documentation describing in detail the developed models, experimental protocols, and fabricated devices
• Preparation of progress reports
• Training interns, employees, and technicians to use the developed models and experimental protocols

Your profile

Education :

Completed master’s degree and doctoral studies in the field of biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, biofabrication, materials science, computational modelling or other relevant field.

Expertise and experience :

Must have :

• Expertise in Finite Element software (ABAQUS or Ansys), structural models development with implementation of advanced materials models
• Experience in independent scientific work
• Experience in experimental characterisation of materials
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills
• Publications track record in the relevant field

Nice to have experience in :

• Modelling of degradable polymers
• Modelling of piezoelectric materials
• Multi-scale modelling
• Biofabrication, additive manufacturing (3D printing, electrospinning, bioprinting, extrusion)
• Characterisation of mechanical properties of materials
• Characterisation of piezoelectric properties of materials
• Characterisation of electrical properties of materials
• Microscopy and spectroscopy methods for materials characterisation
• Chemical and thermal characterisation of materials
• Investigations of material cells interactions
• Knowledge of IP protection and patent application process
• Experience in working with medical devices
• Experience in prototyping of medical devices
• Knowledge of testing protocols for medical devices with electronics within EU and FDA regulations

We offer you

• an exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• a well-connected research campus (public transport bus) and best networking opportunities
• individual opportunities for further training
• social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration
• an excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
• very good compatibility private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work
• family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e.g. parent-child room
• free assistance program for employees (EAP)
• Corporate Benefits

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.