An international joint PhD position is available for African nationals between South Africa and France in the area of modeling shoulder deficiencies using statistical appearance models.
PhD Title: Patient-Specific Biomechanical Models of Shoulder Deficiencies using Appearance Models
Locations: IMT Atlantique, LaTIM, INSERM UMR 1101, Brest, France AND
Division of Biomedical Engineering, University Cape Town (UCT-BME), South Africa
Co-supervision: South Africa : T. Mutsvangwa, PhD and Prof. T. Douglas, UCT-BME,
France : Prof. V. Burdin and B. Borotikar, D.Eng, IMT Atlantique, LaTIM
Starting date: January 2018, for 3 years.
Reference: FORCES
Eligibility: Nationality of any African country and Masters Degree.
Institutions
Home Institution: Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
http://www.bme.uct.ac.za/
Host Institution: Department ITI, IMT Atlantique, Brest France and LaTIM INSERM U1101, Brest, France
CONTEXT and OBJECTIVES
Bone deformations have multiple causes (trauma,neuromuscular, and degenerative). They have an impact on the patient’sdaily life by limiting the movement of their locomotor system and are oftencoupled with severe pain. Some patients with neuro-muscular-skeletalpathologies will develop bone deformation of the limbs or muscular deficiencies.It is possible to treat these diseases thanks to rehabilitation programs whichmay or may not include surgery. This project extends the previous expertise ofboth labs, UCT BME and LaTIM INSERM U1101 (morpho-functional link that governs humanlocomotor system and statistical shape modeling). More specifically, we want toanswer the larger question about how best to increase functionality viarehabilitation or corrective surgery through simulation of post interventionmotion. In this project, we would like to use statistical shape and appearancemodels to develop a new concept of patient-specific functional statisticalmodels (fSSM) which couple the morphological and functional aspects, includingmuscle and ligament insertions, in a biomechanical model.
To tackle the problem, the student’s objective will be to propose a novel and innovative method using both statistical and multi-body biomechanical models. The technical issues to be solved are:
1) Automatic segmentation of bones and muscles from MRI.
2) Developing a patient-specific biomechanical model.
3) Validation of the specific vs. generic models.
Candidate Profile
1) Master degree with solid knowledge in image processing and applied mathematics
2) Biomechanics knowledge is an advantage
3) Strong background in object-oriented programming language (C++, Java), python
4) Knowledge of VTK, ITK and Scalismo libraries
5) English speaking, reading and writing is mandatory - French speaking is an advantage
6) Good communication skills and ability to work in a team
Application Process:
Interested candidates (Please use subject line FORCES in your message)
Send before 15 October 2017 to valerie.burdin@imt-atlantique.fr
and please cc tinashe.mutsvangwa@uct.ac.za
1) CV
2) Motivation letter (one page maximum)
3) All transcripts of the last 3 years of most recent qualifications
4) Recommendation letter from previous supervisors
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information please contact Dr Tinashe Mutsvangwa
e-mail: tinashe.mutsvangwa@uct.ac.za
