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Position 3:

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Position Description: 

The Centre for Surgical Technologies, Prof Jan Deprest is currently inviting applications for a postdoctoral position in the area of experimental surgery with special focus on urogynaecology.  The current position is focused on two items:

      (1)The use of endoscopy in pelvic floor surgery. It aims at developing an appropriate model for sacrocolpopexy, using a large animal model. For that advanced imaging technologies will be used, which should reduce the risk for hemorrhage. In that project a close collaboration with optical engineers is made, within the framework of an Industrial-Academia partnership sponsored by the EU.   

      (2)The biomechanical and biochemical aspects of pelvic organ prolapse treatments, in particular with the use of novel meshes and cell based strategies. It involves testing and designing new meshes, testing additional improvements to enhance acceptance by the host or to study the effect of preventive measures for graft related complications.

The initial position will be full-time for a 12-month period based on a Marie Curie Fellowship of the European Commission with the potential for future renewal to a longer period in a regular postdoc status. 

The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (www.kuleuven.be) is the largest university in Belgium, and the Department of Development and Regeneration incorporates the research unit of “biomechanics, bioimplants and tissue engineering”. This research unit works in close association with the clinical Pelvic Floor Unit of the University Hospitals Leuven.  The Katholieke Universiteit is an internationally known university with a solid track record in translational research. It is located in the heart of Belgium, only 14 or 20 minutes by train from the international airport and Brussels, respectively.  As a University hosting many nationalities the working language in the laboratories is English.

Screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Ideal starting date is September 1^st, 2012.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate would have a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or a related field.  The candidate should have a significant background in biomechanics, animal studies, and protocol development.  Experience in smooth muscle function or alternatively in cell based regenerative therapies would be beneficial.  The post-doc would be involved in assessing smooth muscle function after graft placement or cell transplant and characterizing passive and active biomechanical properties after graft implantation. 

Fellows should have strong communication skills and be able to work in teams with additional investigators, doctoral students as well as post-doctorate researchers. The postdoc will be involved in guiding doctorate students.  The applicant should have a solid academic and publication history.  The individual should be highly motivated and able to work independently.  Further the applicant should have the ability to prepare in manuscripts, abstract submissions, grant applications and must have a track record of giving presentations. 

Please submit the following items in your application:

      1.      Detailed CV

      2.      Two or three references with their contact information

      3.      A cover letter detailing your research interests and long-term career goals

Please contact:

Dr. Jan Deprest: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Position 2:

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER WITH EXPERTISE IN PHOTONICS/TISSUE OPTICS

Job Title: Research Biomedical Engineer
Company: Transmural Biotech SL, Barcelona, Spain

CONTRACT:
Recruitment in Marie Curie Project.

SALARY RANGE:
Equivalent to Marie Curie Researcher of 4-10 years research experience.

OPEN PERIOD:
May 1, 2012 to Oct 30, 2012

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time - One year extendable to Two.

LOCATIONS:
Barcelona, Spain

JOB SUMMARY:
The candidate will work in Transmural Biotech and Hospital Clínic in Barcelona in the context of a Marie Curie IAPP project.
The main task will be particularly focus in implementing advanced imaging technologies in a rigid endoscope to improve the current state of a patented technology to explore ways of rendering the technology clinically applicable. The position searched will be responsible of building a working prototype to be connected to a commercial endoscope and achieve the transition from preliminary results in tissue phantoms to an effective pre-clinical stage to build and provide sound proofs that the technology can work robustly in a pre-defined surgical context in animals.
The job is ideally intended to last for the last two years of the Marie Curie grant.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:
PhD in photonics, physics, engineering related to biomedical research and animal experimentation.
Demonstrated expertise in tissue optics.
Ability to conduct research independently under supervision of major goals with specific milestones and budgets.
Good communication skills.
Excellent level of English.
Reporting to direction of the company.
Resume and supporting documents.

ELEGIBILITY CRITERIA TO WORK FOR A MARIE CURIE PROJECT:
Mobility: must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in the host country (Spain) > 12 months within the last 3 years prior to the recruitment.
Research experience:
4-10 years of research experience full time, ideally with PhD qualification.

DUTIES:
As a Research Biomedical Engineer, hi/she will be responsible for:
Coordinating and working in a multidisciplinary environment for the study and development of instrumentation, analytic techniques, and mathematical models of infrared and visible light;
Directing research related to the fundamental mechanisms of interaction between light and tissue;
Working independently and in a goal-oriented approach, and being responsible for the success of the project;
Reporting to direction of the company and work with strategic partners;
Communicating to national and international researchers, regulated industry, and academic and hospital bodies to develop a working prototype to be connected to a rigid endoscope;
Independently planning research projects, including determining the area and scope of study, resources required, and time lines;
Collaborating with research teams to create a medical device, safety issues and performance standards;
Writing articles on research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and reports to the European Commission; and
Delivering presentations at national and international scientific conferences

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
In order to be qualified for this position, he/she must meet the basic requirement in one of the following ways:

A. Have successfully completed PhD degree in photonics, physics or engineering in the fields of biomedicine or clinics, most preferable in the field of tissue optics.

B. Have a demonstrable track record on imaging systems and light technologies.

TO APPLY, PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION:

-Curriculum Vitae
-Cover letter indicating his/her interest in the research area and training aspects of this research
- Via e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Position 1: (closed)

Postdoctoral researcher in connectomics based on diffusion MRI

Job emplacement: Brussels

Expected background:
The candidate must be a skilled laparoscopic surgeon, preferentially in urogynaecology (either urologist or gynaecologist).

In depth knowledge of the current working of videoendoscopic hardware is a positive point, though engineering skills are not mandatory.

The candidate must have a scientific track record, preferentially with experience in clinical studies and studies on surgical techniques and outcome, in particular training aspects.

Preferentially the candidate has skills in processing video images, their off line analysis and processing.

Research group:

The research will be integrated in a wider research group active in the field of urogynaecology, with current points of attention

- small animal imaging of the pelvic floor, with or without birth trauma

- biomechanical evaluation of implanted mesh materials

- the study of the inflammatory response to meshes

- clinical studies on techniques of and outcomes following mesh augmented repairs

- the use of laparoscopy in pelvic floor surgery (the prinicipal research project is related to that)

Expected task and responsilibities:

Observation and participation in clinical procedures in laparoscopic pelvic floor surgery.
Experimental use of enhancement of the videoscopic image with information that is not visible to the naked eye
Assessment of the (pre)clinical value of this additional information in surgical decision making

Salary:
European Commission standards for post-doctoral researchers with 4-10 years experience.

To apply, please submit the following documentation:

Curriculum Vitae
Cover letter indicating his/her interest in the research area and training aspects of this research
The documentation via e-mail to: local P.I. of the endo VV project: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to the coordinator.