FDA Finite element analyst

[FPDU Lab]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service

Food and Drug Administration
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

FDA Finite element analyst

Located with the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the Functional Performance and Device Use Lab is a dynamic FDA research laboratory that specializes in analyzing the interface between people and medical devices. These may be between tissue and an implant, software and user, or computer brain interfaces. The lab uses Finite Element computational modeling, 3D printing, motion capture, and physiologic monitoring to answer many questions that are relevant to the development and evaluation of cutting edge medical devices. The lab is a perfect place for those looking for opportunities to gain hands-on experience related to medical device research and/or regulatory aspects of the FDA and the healthcare industry. The successful candidate will also have direct exposure to many emerging medical technologies.

Currently, there is an exciting opportunity as part of an ongoing project analyzing orthopedic implants in diverse patient populations. This position is suitable for recently graduated college graduate students (Masters or Ph.D) of Engineering or applied Mathematics and is initially available for one year with the opportunity for extension depending upon performance and funding availability.

The successful applicant will apply existing methodologies and develop innovative techniques to prepare and evaluate mechanical finite element simulations which contain plasticity and contact nonlinearities. The candidate will work under the supervision of senior researchers and will have the opportunity to learn about FDA regulatory processes and contribute to research in other labs within the Division of Biomedical Physics.

Applicant’s profile:

• ANSYS (or Abaqus) Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software experience is essential, with a focus on mechanical or structural applications.
• The ideal candidate will have experience FEA modeling with nonlinearities from contact, plasticity, fracture mechanics and fatigue.
• Intermediate programming experience to automate data flows between software and perform statistical analyses is required, preferably in Matlab, C++ or Python.
• Experience running Design of Experiments (DOE) or stochastic simulation studies is highly desirable.
• The applicant will be able to demonstrate a track record of conceiving, implementing and communicating research projects.

Interested applicants, please send your resume and an (unofficial) electronic copy of your most recent transcript to:

LT James Coburn (James.Coburn@fda.hhs.gov)
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis for this position. This announcement closes June 12^th 2015 or when a suitable candidate has been identified.