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Imperial College London, Dyson School of Design Engineering
Research Associate, salary in the range: £33,860 - £42,830 per annum
Fixed-term appointment available for 10 months in the first instance
A post-doctoral research associate is required in the Dyson School of Design Engineering to work on
a research project on biomechanics of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and advanced design of helmet
liners for TBI mitigation. This project is funded by Wellcome Trust and the Welsh Government and
Innovate UK SBRI programme. The post-holder will join a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and
neurologists based in Dyson School of Design Engineering, Brain Sciences Division at Imperial
College London and Armourgel Ltd.
Understanding how mechanical impacts produce injury to the brain is key to understanding its longterm
effects and also design of effective protective strategies, such as helmets. One aim of this
project is to develop a finite element model of TBI and test its accuracy in predicting injury by
comparing its predictions with neuroimaging and histopathology data. Validating the model in this way
will provide confidence that we can use it to guide the development of protective strategies. The
second aim of the project is to optimally design an advanced helmet liner to mitigate the damaging
effects of exposure to oblique impacts on the brain.
This project is unique in that it seeks to advance our fundamental understanding of mechanisms of
TBI and use this understanding to guide the design of personal protective equipment. The research
associate will take a key role in developing these areas. In one part of the project, the post-holder will
develop a finite element model of TBI and compare the predictions of the model with neuroimaging
and histopathology data. In another part of the project, the post -holder will develop a finite element
model of a helmet with an advanced liner system and use it to study the effects of impact conditions
and design parameters of the liner on the helmet protection.
The successful candidate should have a PhD, or equivalent, in a relevant subject such as mechanical
engineering, bioengineering or aeronautical engineering. Experience in using finite element software,
preferably LS-DYNA, for the analysis of nonlinear and transient problems is essential. Experience in
performing mechanical tests, preferably impact tests, is also essential as is experience in
programming, preferably C/C++.
Informal e-mail enquiries may be made to Dr Mazdak Ghajari at m.ghajari@imperial.ac.uk.
If you have queries concerning the application process, please email Ms Sarah Wissing at:
s.wissing@imperial.ac.uk
Our preferred method of application is online via our website. Please click ‘apply’ below or go to
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment (Select “Job Search” then enter the job title or vacancy
reference number into “Keywords”). Please complete and upload an application form as directed
quoting reference number: EN20160059AM. YOU MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FORM FOR
OUR POSTS ALONG WITH A CV. IF YOU DO NOT FILL IN AN APPLICATION FORM, YOU WILL
NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Closing date: 10 April 2016
Research Associate, salary in the range: £33,860 - £42,830 per annum
Fixed-term appointment available for 10 months in the first instance
A post-doctoral research associate is required in the Dyson School of Design Engineering to work on
a research project on biomechanics of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and advanced design of helmet
liners for TBI mitigation. This project is funded by Wellcome Trust and the Welsh Government and
Innovate UK SBRI programme. The post-holder will join a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and
neurologists based in Dyson School of Design Engineering, Brain Sciences Division at Imperial
College London and Armourgel Ltd.
Understanding how mechanical impacts produce injury to the brain is key to understanding its longterm
effects and also design of effective protective strategies, such as helmets. One aim of this
project is to develop a finite element model of TBI and test its accuracy in predicting injury by
comparing its predictions with neuroimaging and histopathology data. Validating the model in this way
will provide confidence that we can use it to guide the development of protective strategies. The
second aim of the project is to optimally design an advanced helmet liner to mitigate the damaging
effects of exposure to oblique impacts on the brain.
This project is unique in that it seeks to advance our fundamental understanding of mechanisms of
TBI and use this understanding to guide the design of personal protective equipment. The research
associate will take a key role in developing these areas. In one part of the project, the post-holder will
develop a finite element model of TBI and compare the predictions of the model with neuroimaging
and histopathology data. In another part of the project, the post -holder will develop a finite element
model of a helmet with an advanced liner system and use it to study the effects of impact conditions
and design parameters of the liner on the helmet protection.
The successful candidate should have a PhD, or equivalent, in a relevant subject such as mechanical
engineering, bioengineering or aeronautical engineering. Experience in using finite element software,
preferably LS-DYNA, for the analysis of nonlinear and transient problems is essential. Experience in
performing mechanical tests, preferably impact tests, is also essential as is experience in
programming, preferably C/C++.
Informal e-mail enquiries may be made to Dr Mazdak Ghajari at m.ghajari@imperial.ac.uk.
If you have queries concerning the application process, please email Ms Sarah Wissing at:
s.wissing@imperial.ac.uk
Our preferred method of application is online via our website. Please click ‘apply’ below or go to
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment (Select “Job Search” then enter the job title or vacancy
reference number into “Keywords”). Please complete and upload an application form as directed
quoting reference number: EN20160059AM. YOU MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FORM FOR
OUR POSTS ALONG WITH A CV. IF YOU DO NOT FILL IN AN APPLICATION FORM, YOU WILL
NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Closing date: 10 April 2016
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