Research Associate in the Center for Applied Biomechanics
About The Position
The Tang Lab at the University of Virginia is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to study how the multiscale structure of load-bearing tissues governs their mechanics and failure of load-bearing biological tissues. Our group works at the intersection of biomechanics, materials science, and advanced three-dimensional characterization. Current projects include an NSF-funded study of stress-fracture mechanics in human bone and related research on the damage tolerance of soft-hard tissue interfaces, including the disc-vertebra junction. Our research combines organ-level mechanical testing, confocal and electron microscopy, FIB-SEM three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale imaging, quantitative image analysis, and multiscale modelling, with applications to musculoskeletal health and bioinspired material design. The research also combines advanced electron microscopy techniques, mechanical testing, and AI-driven image analysis, with current projects focused on human bone and soft-hard tissue interfaces. Postdocs in our group work with world-class facilities, including the UVA Center for Applied Biomechanics, a leading injury-biomechanics laboratory, and the Nanoscale Materials Characterization Facility for advanced electron microscopy. The successful candidate will be a self-motivated researcher with strong hands-on and quantitative skills and will contribute to multiscale structure-mechanics research, mentor graduate students, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
- A PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, completed by the start date.
- Substantive hands-on experience with FIB, FIB-SEM, or advanced SEM.
Nice To Haves
- A strong background in more than one of the following areas: electron microscopy of biological or structural materials; 3D image processing and segmentation, including machine-learning-based approaches; mechanical testing of tissues or composites; and multiscale structure-mechanics analysis.
- Hands-on experience in lamella preparation, or related FIB workflows.
- Experience with 3D image reconstruction, segmentation, Python/MATLAB, ImageJ/Fiji, Dragonfly, Avizo, and machine learning.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to multiscale structure-mechanics research
- Mentor graduate students
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals
Benefits
- Access to world-class facilities, including the UVA Center for Applied Biomechanics and the Nanoscale Materials Characterization Facility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
