Job Title: Marie Curie Trainee Heart Modelling/Atherosclerosis Modelling
Department / Unit: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty / Division: UCL Engineering
Location: Robert’s Building, Torrington Place, WC1E 7JE
Main purpose of the job:
A 3-year EU-funded early stage position is available in the Multiscale
Cardiovascular Engineering group (www.ucl.ac.uk/muse) as part of the VPH-CaSE
European Training Network (ETN). VPH-CaSE is a consortium of 5 leading
European research institutions and 4 major industrial players that will involve 14
Early Stage Researchers working collaboratively to develop state-of-the-art tools to
guide personalised cardiovascular support, underpinned by simulation and
experimentation, building on the foundations of the Virtual Physiological Human
(VPH) Initiative. The research in VPH-CaSE will focus on three research clusters: (i)
Cardiac tissue function and cardiac support (ii) Cardiovascular haemodynamics pathology and intervention (iii) Image-based diagnosis and imaging quality
assurance.
The work will be directed by the needs of industrial and clinical beneficiaries and
partners. The inclusion of a technology translation SME within the consortium is
designed to promote the delivery of novel, tangible research outputs, providing
benefits to a breadth of European sectors.
The post includes registration to study for a PhD degree with fees (at the UK/EU
rate) available from the project.
There are 2 projects applicants can choose from but only 1 position available.
Please state your preference when applying.
Project 1 aims: Atherosclerosis is a serious condition where arteries become
clogged up by fatty substances known as plaques or atheroma. The plaques cause
affected arteries to harden and narrow, which can be dangerous as restricted blood
flow can damage organs and stop them functioning properly. If a plaque ruptures, it
can cause a blood clot. This can block the blood supply to the heart, triggering a
heart attack, or it can block the blood supply to the brain, triggering a stroke. The
objective of this project is to develop a patient-specific model of atherosclerosis
based on previous work from the group, to capture later stages of the disease,
including a biomechanical model of the plaque. This model will involve the modelling
of both, the blood flow and the arterial wall. Additionally, an analysis on the
sensitivity, robustness and uncertainty of these models will be carried out as these
have strong implications in healthcare. The clinical impact and viability of these
technologies will be tested via University College London Hospital.
Expected Results:
i) A patient-specific simulation framework for early and advanced stages of the
disease
ii) Proof-of-concept of the use of these technologies in the clinic
iii) Proof of feasibility of the use of these models in a clinical setting
Project 2 aims: The goal is to develop a physiologically-based cardiac contraction
3D model. The testing of medical devices such as LVADs for example is restricted to
controlled-lab experiments and simulations using boundary conditions that are far
removed from the real clinical situation. A 3D model of cardiac contraction able to
reproduce arrhythmias is necessary to assess left ventricular assist devices (LVADs)
under realistic conditions. This will provide important results to complement the
capabilities of project partner Lifetec (www.lifetecgroup.com) as in-silico experiments
are quicker and cheaper to use as a testing ground before proceeding with
expensive ex-vivo testing. It will also provide a unique platform to assess LVADs
under realistic condition ex-vivo and in-silico.
Expected Results:
i) Realistic 3D contraction of beating heart (flow/pressure) in Finite Elements (FE).
Incorporation of activation mechanisms.
ii) Coupled LVADs – 3D Heart in-silico assessment
iii) An in-silico assessment platform
Key responsibilities and outcomes:
The post holder will be responsible for conducting research in line with research
project set out in the project proposal (as outlined above).
The post holder will be expected, in collaboration with their supervisor, to develop a
career development plan of appropriate training. The post holder will also attend the
necessary courses and training to acquire the skills necessary for his or her
development as an independent researcher.
The post holder will be expected to spend a non-negligible portion of their time
abroad, working with project partners, in order to achieve the objectives of the
programme of work.
For project 1 the post holder will have the responsibility to develop a patient-specific
multiscale atherosclerosis model and to perform uncertainty analyses. For project 2,
the post holder will have the responsibility to develop a 3D mathematical model of
cardiac contraction (in Finite Elements) involving physiological mechanisms.
Internal/External Relationships
The project is conducted in strong collaboration with other network partners and will
involve secondments of up to 6 months to develop the model(s) and validate it.
Key communications
The post holder will also be expected to write regular progress reports, be in charge
of technical report preparation for the European commission review processes, and
publish regularly in internationally leading peer reviewed journals and conferences.
This job description reflects the present requirements of the post, and as duties and
responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject
to amendment in consultation with the post holder.
The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and
purpose of the job as requested by the line manager or Head of Department/Division.
The post holder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities
policies and be expected to give consideration within their role as to how they can
actively advance equality of opportunity and good relations between people who
share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
The post holder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health &
Safety Regulations.
The post holder will carry out their duties in a resource efficient way and actively
support UCL’s Sustainability policies and objectives within the remit of their role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge, Education, Qualifications and Training
• Essential: MSc or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering,
Physics, Applied Mathematics or a related subject.
Experience
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Essential: Strong background in mechanical engineering, aeronautical
engineering, physics, applied mathematics or related subject
Essential: Experience working in bioengineering applications in particular,
finite elements or fluid mechanics
Essential: Excellent programming skills in any of the following languages: C,
C++, FORTRAN, Matlab, Octave or Python
Essential: Experience with ANSYS/CFX
Essential: Good oral written and presentation skills.
Essential: Well-organised, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
Essential: Ability to think logically, create solutions and make informed
decisions.
Desirable: Excellent IT skills.
Desirable: Working knowledge of MIMICs or ScanIP for image processing
Skills and/or Abilities
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Essential: Fluency and clarity in spoken English.
Essential: Good written English.
Essential: Independence and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Other requirements
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Essential: Enthusiasm and willingness to work abroad for periods of time and
to fulfil the travel commitments (typically training and network meetings every
6 months).
About UCL
Introduction: UCL is one of the UK’s premier universities. UCL is ranked joint fifth in
the world's top ten universities by the QS World University Rankings (2014). It is a
world-class research and teaching institution based in London whose staff and
former students have included 19 Nobel Prize winners. Founded in 1826, it was the
only university in England at that time which admitted students regardless of race or
religion. UCL was also the first to admit women on equal terms with men. Today UCL
is a friendly university in which to work and study and it continues to thrive on the
diversity and creativity of its community.
UCL is in practice a university in its own right, although constitutionally a college
within the federal University of London. With an annual turnover around £1 billion, it
is financially and managerially independent of the University of London. UCL is the
top-rated university in the UK for research strength (Research Excellence Framework
2014), by a measure of average research score multiplied by staff numbers
submitted.
UCL has 983 professors and more than 6,000 academic and research staff who are
dedicated to research and teaching of the highest standards. Our academic
community includes 53 Fellows of the Royal Society, 51 Fellows of the British
Academy, 15 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering and 117 Fellows of the
Academy of Medical Sciences. Nobel Prizes have been awarded to 29 people who
are or were students or academics at UCL. The most recent addition, in 2014, is
John O'Keefe (Medicine). 11 UCL Honorary Graduates and Fellows have also been
awarded Nobel Prizes. 52% of the nearly 36,000- strong student community is
engaged in graduate studies, with nearly a third of these graduate students pursuing
research degrees. Students from 150 countries study at UCL, making up more than
one-third of the student body.
Within UCL, the host group (MUSE; www.ucl.ac.uk/muse) focuses on multiscale
modelling in the cardiovascular field. The group is undergoing expansion and it has
strong links with excellent hospitals as well as UK and international research
partners. The group is proud to host a number of researchers who are passionate
about cardiovascular modelling and produce state-of-the-art research results. The
group has an excellent track record of training and offers high quality research
support and supervision and an equally friendly and technically challenging research
environment.
We actively encourage the application of female applicants for this position.
Reporting to: Dr Vanessa Diaz, (v.diaz@ucl.ac.uk) Informal Queries to: Dr Vanessa
Diaz (v.diaz@ucl.ac.uk)
Funding: This position is funded by a Marie Curie Initial Training Network initiative.
£28,957- £35,952 depending on the fellow’s individual circumstances
Eligibility:
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This position is open to candidates of all nationalities.
Applicants should be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research
careers, starting at the date of obtaining the degree and not yet have been
awarded a doctoral degree. Full-time equivalent research experience is
measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree, which would
formally entitle him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in
which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is
recruited.
Additionally, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity
(work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years
immediately prior to the date of recruitment (short stay such as holidays
and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account).
The successful applicant will be asked to meet English-language
requirements of UCL
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply online via the following link:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs/