Biomechanics Graduate Student
The Rehabilitation Research & Development (RR&D) Center of Excellence
for Limb Loss Prevention and Prosthetic Engineering at the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle
has a position immediately available for a doctoral candidate in
biomechanics. The successful candidate will be expected to enroll in
the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of
Washington for the fall or winter quarters of the 2009/2010 academic
year. Potential areas of research are related to lower limb
biomechanics, with emphasis on the foot and ankle. Possible topics
include: 1) patient-specific finite element modeling of the foot and
ankle, 2) robotic cadaveric simulation of gait, and 3) mechanical
testing of healthy and diabetic foot ligaments.

Preferred technical competencies include one or more the of
following: 1) experience with computational (finite element)
modeling, 2) experience with mechanical testing and data acquisition,
3) familiarity with working with human cadaveric tissue, and 4)
calibration and routine maintenance of instrumentation (load cells,
LVDTs, accelerometers, etc.). Familiarity with the use of machine
shop and electronic assembly tools to construct specialized research
instruments and fixtures would be advantageous. The successful
candidate will be expected to disseminate their results at relevant
conferences and publish their work in peer-reviewed journals.

The VA RR&D Center collaborates with the University of Washington
Departments of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Orthopaedics &
Sports Medicine, Radiology and Rehabilitation Medicine. The purpose
of the Center's research is to provide further understanding of
biomechanics and applications in the field of orthopaedics,
rehabilitation, amputation prevention, gait analysis and prosthetic
design. This work has the potential for having a major impact on the
diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of veterans and non-veterans
suffering physical trauma, diabetes and diminished lower limb function.

This position requires a Masters (preferred) or Bachelors degree in
Mechanical Engineering, Biomechanics, or Bioengineering, as well as
knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and techniques of
biomechanics.

Qualified applicants must send a cover letter with a brief statement
of research objectives and curriculum vitae with 3 references to:


William R. Ledoux, Ph.D.
VA Puget Sound
MS 151
1660 S. Columbian Way
Seattle, WA 98108
phone: 206-768-5347
fax: 206-277-3963
email: wrledoux@u.washington.edu



William R. Ledoux, PhD | VA Puget Sound, ms 151 | 1660 S. Columbian
Way | Seattle, WA 98108
206-768-5347(v) | 206-277-3963(f) | wrledoux@u.washington.edu |
www.amputation.research.va.gov