Phd Position Design and Simulation of Patient-Specific Implants Based on External Morphology

Design the next generation of biodegradable, additively manufactured bone substitutes. Combine materials, mechanics, and machine learning to shape patient-specific regenerative implants.

PhD Position: Design and Simulation of Patient-Specific Implants Based on External Morphology

The Department of Biomechanical Engineering at TU Delft invites applications for a PhD position aimed at transforming the design of patient-specific orthopedic implants. With a strong foundation in biomechanics, computational modeling, and experimental methods, the BME department provides an ideal environment for developing next-generation regenerative technologies. This project leverages that expertise to create personalized shoulder implants that respond intelligently to individual anatomical and functional demands.

The project will focus on the personalized design of shoulder implants, with particular emphasis on optimizing the external morphology to improve fit, reduce soft tissue irritation, and promote long-term functional outcomes. You will develop a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation framework that integrates anatomical models and biomechanical data to evaluate implant-tissue interactions. This data-driven platform will enable the design of implants tailored to individual anatomical and loading conditions.

By combining computational modeling with experimental validation, you will explore how implant geometry affects mechanical performance, implant-bone interface adaptation, and osseointegration. The resulting shape-optimized implants will complement structural architectures developed in parallel PhD projects, forming part of a larger, patient-specific bone replacement solution.

This position is embedded in a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (Horizon Europe), offering advanced training, research mobility, and international secondments. You will join a vibrant network of early-stage researchers and contribute to a new generation of smart, responsive, and clinically effective orthopedic implants.

Job requirements

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Investigate the role of design parameters, architecture, material composition, and additive manufacturing (AM) process settings on mechanical performance and degradation behavior.
• Develop physics-based and data-driven models to link geometry, materials, and biodegradation kinetics.
• Conduct experimental tests to validate models.
• Collaborate closely with researchers at PME and BME, as well as with the wider MSCA network.
• Interface designs with biodegradability tests and topology-optimized structures from sibling projects.

Your Profile:

• A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing, biomaterials, or mechanical testing.
• Strong background in computational mechanics, particularly in finite element modeling, and machine learning (experience in more than one is a plus).
• Experience with programming (e.g., Python, Julia).
• Interest in biomechanics, biodegradable materials, and design for AM.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to relocate and undertake international secondments.
• Compliance with MSCA mobility rule: you must not have lived or carried out your main activity (work, studies) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the past 36 months.

What we offer

• A fully funded PhD position within a prestigious MSCA Doctoral Network.
• Close supervision and mentorship from the BME department at TU Delft.
• Access to state-of-the-art additive manufacturing and experimental characterization facilities.
• Training through network-wide workshops, summer schools, and transferable-skills programmes.
• Research secondments with international academic and industrial partners.
• Collaboration with a cohort of Doctoral Candidates working toward an integrated, patient-specific implant design pipeline.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Conditions of employment

• Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
• The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Relocation Support

• TU Delft is committed to making your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Mohammad J Mirzaali (m.j.mirzaali@tudelft.nl) and Prof. Amir A. Zadpoor (a.a.zadpor@tudelft.nl).