PhD Student in Neuroengineering

Project Description

Research education subject: Technology and health

AI-driven finite element modeling of the human body and injury biomechanics for improved road safety

This project develops an AI-driven platform to personalize finite element models of the human body (Human Body Models, HBM) and automatically position them in realistic sitting postures. The project addresses a central challenge in the transition towards HBM-based vehicle safety assessment within consumer testing and future regulations, where efficient and accurate methods are needed to personalize and position HBMs for industrial application. The project also enables systematic reconstruction of real accidents based on image and video data. On the technical side, the project develops evidence-based quality criteria for harmonization and robust use of different HBM families, together with data-driven, PCA-based methods. Applicants should have a relevant background in mechanics/computational mechanics/biomechanics, combined with good programming skills or experience in AI/machine learning. The project is funded by Vinnova within the framework of FFI (Fordonsstrategisk forskning och innovation) and is carried out in collaboration with Autoliv.

Supervision: Xiaogai Li, Svein Kleiven and Shiyang Meng are proposed to supervise the doctoral student. The decision is made upon admission.

Eligibility for admission

To be admitted to doctoral studies (chap 7 39 § of the Higher Education Ordinance) the applicant must have basic eligibility:

completed a degree at an advanced level, or fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at an advanced level, or in some other way, within or outside the country, acquired knowledge mainly corresponding to this.

Kungliga Tekniska högskolan is seeking a highly motivated recent graduate at the Master's level in engineering, with a willingness to travel to research and industry partners.

Ideally, the person should have a Master's in mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, medical technology, engineering physics or equivalent, with a solid background in mechanics, computational mechanics and/or biomechanics. Strong knowledge in continuum mechanics and the Finite Element Method (FEM), good programming skills (e.g. Python, Matlab) as well as experience of AI/machine learning (e.g. deep learning, graph neural networks) are strongly meritous.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

To succeed in your doctoral studies at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persistent in your work. During the selection of applicants, the ability to:

independently drive your work forward, be able to collaborate with others, have a professional approach and analyze and work with complex issues.

is assessed.

You must have the ability to work independently, communicate in English and to work in a group with other researchers. Following the eligibility requirements, great importance will be placed on personal qualities.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information about admission and employment

Only those admitted to doctoral studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. An employed doctoral student may, to a limited extent (at most 20%), perform certain tasks within, e.g., education and administration. A new employment as a doctoral student is valid for at most one year; the employment may thereafter be renewed for at most two years at a time. For studies intended to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

As a doctoral student, you will benefit from KTH's employment benefits and have a monthly salary according to KTH's agreement for doctoral salaries. Read more about Research studies at KTH | KTH | Sweden.

Trade union representatives

Contact details for trade union representatives.

Doktorandsektionen (Tekniska högskolans studentkår)

Contact details for the doctoral section.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring that your application is complete when it is submitted.

The application shall contain the following:

Copies of degree certificates and transcripts from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified. CV with relevant professional experience and knowledge. Cover letter with a concise account of why you want to pursue doctoral studies, about your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Max 2 pages) Preferably do not attach large reports or publications with your application.

The application must reach KTH no later than the last application date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Other

For information on the processing of personal data in connection with recruitment.

An employment at KTH may be subject to security clearance. If this is the case for this specific employment, a security screening of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) after consent. In these cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved after the security screening.

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