PhD Studentship: Finite Element Analysis of Total Ankle Replacement
Health and Medical,Medical Technology,Engineering and Technology,Mechanical Engineering,Production Engineering and Manufacturing
Short info about job
Company: University of Leeds
Hours: Full Time
Type / Role: PhD
Phone: +44-1303 7538238
Fax: +44-1359 9382568
E-mail: N\A
Site: N\A
Detail information about job PhD Studentship: Finite Element Analysis of Total Ankle Replacement. Terms and conditions vacancy
Postgraduate research opportunity
- Funded PhD project: UK and EU
- Value: Funding covers the cost of fees at £4,250 and provides a maintenance of £14,553 for the 2017/18 academic year. Funding duration is 3.5 years. UK applicants will be eligible for a full award paying tuition fees and maintenance. European Union applicants will be eligible for an award paying tuition fees only, except in exceptional circumstances, or where residency has been established for more than 3 years prior to the start of the course.
- Number of awards: 1
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Supervisors: Contact Dr Claire Brockettto discuss this project further informally.
Project description
This exciting project will apply novel engineering tools to examine the emerging area of ankle joint replacement. It is estimated that osteoarthritis of the ankle affects more than 70 million people worldwide. Total ankle replacement (TAR) has been used clinically as a treatment for ankle arthritis however, it is less successful than hip or knee replacement, and as a result is used less frequently. Failure of ankle replacement is often associated with loosening of the implant and lesions within the bone, and recent computational work at Leeds has demonstrated that implant positioning greatly affects the stress in the tibial bone.
The aim of this project is to develop finite element models of total ankle replacement to examine the effects of bone quality, geometry and surgical positioning on the contact mechanics of a TAR and the stress experienced within the surrounding bone in both the tibia and talus. This project will utilise state-of-the-art equipment for imaging and experimental studies and build on the group’s computational modelling expertise to develop novel finite element models of the ankle complex. The study will identify the critical features of TAR design and surgical procedure to improve the outcomes for future patients.
Entry requirements
Applications are invited from candidates with or expecting a minimum of a UK upper second class honours degree (2:1), and/or a Master's degree in a relevant engineering or science degree.
How to apply
Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the university's website. Please state clearly in the research information section that the PhD you wish to be considered for is the 'Finite element analysis of total ankle replacement’ as well as Dr Claire Brockett as your proposed supervisor.
We welcome scholarship applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, but UK black and minority ethnic (BME) researchers are currently under-represented in our Postgraduate Research community, and we would therefore particularly encourage applications from UK BME candidates. All scholarships will be awarded on the basis of merit.
If you require any further information please contact the Graduate School Office, e: [email protected], t: +44 (0)113 343 8000.