The Biomechanics program at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville now has new openings for PhD assistantship and is seeking applicants for the PhD program for Fall 2020. The successful applicants will be responsible conducting biomechanics research related to gait biomechanics in patients with total knee replacement, and/or teaching lab sections of undergraduate biomechanics and/or applied anatomy courses. Motivated students with a thesis in a master degree program in biomechanics, biomedical engineering, or related fields, experience with biomechanical equipment and data collection, and/or experiences in computer programming language and musculoskeletal modeling are encouraged to apply. Applicants will have a chance to apply and compete for Tennessee Fellowship for Graduate Excellence and other Fellowships funded by the Graduate School.

Responsibilities:
Teaching Assistantship –
The successful applicant will contribute to undergraduate lab instruction in Biomechanics and/or Applied Anatomy. Teaching experience in these areas would be beneficial, but is not required. In addition to the teaching responsibilities, continuous involvement in ongoing research activities in the Biomechanics Lab is expected.

Current research interests:
Dr. Josh Weinhandl –
  • ACL injury mechanisms, prevention and rehabilitation
  • Effect of ACL reconstruction on lower extremity joint loading
  • Lateral ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability
  • Femoroacetabular impingement and hip joint loading
  • Relationships between musculotendinous morphology and joint loading
  • Influence of joint coordination on lower extremity injury mechanisms
  • Musculoskeletal modeling of muscle function and joint loading during athletic tasks

Dr. Songning Zhang –
  • Gait and cycling biomechanical characteristics and intervention of patients with total knee arthroplasty and osteoarthritis
  • Cycling biomechanics and applications in clinical populations
  • Biomechanical characteristics of sport surfaces and athletic footwear
  • Musculoskeletal simulation and modeling for clinical applications
  • Lower extremity injury mechanisms and prevention related to impact loading and attenuation
  • Ankle sprain mechanisms and effects of ankle orthoses

The Biomechanics Laboratory is housed in a facility of 3,000 square feet and is equipped with biomechanical systems for 3D kinematics, kinetics, wireless EMG, isokinetic dynamometer, instrumented cycling pedals, instrumented staircase, instrumented ramps, and other types of equipment. Additional information about the lab, equipment, and faculty may be found on the web:
Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies | The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
http://krss.utk.edu/resources/biomechanics_laboratory.html


Applicants interested in doctoral assistantships should contact:
Joshua Weinhandl, Ph.D.
Department of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport Studies
College of Education, Health & Human Sciences
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Email: jweinhan@utk.edu
Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies | The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
http://krss.utk.edu/faculty-staff/joshua-t-weinhandl-phd/


Songning Zhang, Ph.D., FACSM
Professor, Biomechanics
Director, Biomechanics/Sports Medicine Lab
Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport Studies
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Email: szhang@utk.edu
Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies | The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
http://krss.utk.edu/Faculty_Staff/zhang.html