PhD position in spinal biomechanics
- Quantitative evaluation and rehabilitation of spinal movement in patients with low back pain
- CHUV-UNIL, Lausanne, Switzerland
__________________________________________________ _____________________________

INTRODUCTION
The University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a renowned teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where approximately 15,000 students and nearly 5,000 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study. The Lausanne University Hospital (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CHUV) is one of the five Swiss university hospitals. In 2019, it was ranked among the 10 best hospital in the world by the Newsweek magazine. Through its collaboration with the UNIL Faculty of Biology and Medicine, its plays a leading role in the fields of medical care, research and training. Both institutions are located at the heart of the French-speaking region of Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. This picturesque landscape, and the proximity to other top-level research institutes, provide an ideal setting for studying and research activities.

PRESENTATION
The Swiss BioMotion Lab at CHUV-UNIL welcome applications from a high-caliber, hard-working prospective PhD student.

JOB INFORMATION
Expected start date: September-October 2020
Contract length: 1 year, renewable until completion of the PhD
Activity rate: 100% (fully founded)
Workplace: main hospital campus

YOUR RESPONSABILITIES
The PhD scholarship is available as part of a research project aiming at improving the treatment of low back pain, a leading socioeconomic burden worldwide. Dysfunction of spinal movement is a major characteristic of low back pain and advancing its evaluation and rehabilitation offers a real potential to improve the outcomes of low back pain care. During this project, new methods, including hardware, biofeedback, data analysis and reporting, will be designed and tested in collaboration with a major rehabilitation clinic and a school of physiotherapy.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate should:
 Hold a master degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
 Have experience in movement analysis.
 Have experience in programing, including in C++ and Matlab.
 Have knowledge in statistics, and an interest in acquiring new statistical skills if needed.
 Have a keen interest in quantitative rehabilitation and in the pathomechanism of low back pain.
 Have excellent communication skills, prior publication of scientific work would be an asset.
 Be fluent in spoken and written English; command of French would be a plus.

WHAT THE POSITION OFFERS YOU
We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diversified and dynamic academic environment at the Swiss BioMotion lab of the CHUV-UNIL. Overall, significant opportunities for professional training are provided. Possibilities of continuous training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
The project will be primarily supervised by Dr Julien Favre.
Additional information should be requested by sending an email entitled “PhD position in spinal biomechanics” to “contact.sbml@chuv.ch”.

YOUR APPLICATION
Interested applicants should send an email entitled “PhD position in spinal biomechanics” before July 31st 2020 to “contact.sbml@chuv.ch”. The email should include a cover letter, a CV, a copy of academic transcripts, and a list of 3 references, as a single PDF file.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CHUV-UNIL is committed to promoting gender equality and strongly encourages applications from female candidates.