POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW IN COMPUTATIONAL HEART VALVE BIOMECHANICS

The James T. Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation, Oden Institute, the University of Texas, has an opening for a Post-doctoral Fellow in developing new computational approaches for replacement heart valve simulations.

 Project Description

A major thrust of this project will be the development of novel computational models of replacement heart valves, built on our extensive work in this area. First, the project will involve conversion of current advanced meso-structural material models to a neural network representation.  Next, this representation will be implemented in a commercial finite element framework.  A NURBS based geometric descriptions within an isogeometric analysis approach will be used to accurately simulate heart valve closure.  Once completed, the final stage will involve extending the material modeling to include plasticity and damage.  

The research setting is in the Willerson Center, which is part of the world class Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences which has access to state-of-the-art supercomputer facilities at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). The Willerson Center has a long rich history of post-doctoral training, with ample opportunity for fellowship and NIH funding as a pathway to independence. The Oden Institute has ample opportunities for Lectures and short courses, as well a collegial interactions.

Qualifications:

§  A PhD in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or related field.

§  Proven experience with the finite element method, and proficient in detailed coding in Fortran and Python 

§  Experience with ANSYS/LS-DYNA

§  Knowledge of B-spline geometric modeling

§  Interest/experience in machine learning methods

Interested in joining world-class computational cardiovascular research team?

Please send a cover letter, CV, and any related publications via email to:

Professor Michael S. Sacks

Director, Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation

Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX 78712

Email:  msacks@oden.utexas.edu

With the subject “COMPUTATIONAL HEART VALVE BIOMECHANICS”. 

I will contact short-listed candidates to arrange for interviews.