Probabilistic failure risk assessment in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms

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Probabilistic failure risk assessment in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms

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Job description

Offer DescriptionCardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The advent of in silico models has provided unprecedented opportunities for understanding, diagnosing, and treating these conditions through patient-specific simulations. However, the current deterministic nature of these models presents a significant barrier to their widespread adoption by industry and clinicians. Deterministic models often fail to capture the inherent variability and uncertainties present in biological systems, which can lead to misinterpretations and suboptimal clinical decisions.This PhD project will focus on defining a prospective patient-specific failure criterion for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms, based on non-invasive patient measurements and retrospective data of patients. The objectives of the project are: 1) Create a framework to estimate a patient-specific probabilistic risk of rupture based on biomechanical criteria to improve the outcome of clinical decision-making; 2) Perform uncertainty quantification and uncertainty propagation activities for the computational framework; 3) Define a surgical decision-making framework. A successful project will improve failure criterion for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms correlating to patient-specific risk factors replacing the current generic maximum diameter criterion approach, will provide a novel hybrid modelling approach for the computational workflow, improve our understanding of the impact of uncertainty from patient-specific measurements on the computational framework and generate curated dataset of mechanical properties of the aorta in an elderly patient population.The project will be mainly carried out at KU Leuven, however two secondments are planned during the project:

• TUDelft (October year 2, 6 months): Focused on gaining knowledge on data-driven modelling techniques for integration into their framework.
• Vascops (August year 3, 4 months): It will provide hands-on experience for the DC on an already commercially available digital interdisciplinary system combining medical image processing with biomechanical analysis for abdominal aneurysms.

Where to apply WebsiteRequirementsResearch Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalentResearch Field Mathematics Education Level Master Degree or equivalentResearch Field Physics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Languages ENGLISH Level GoodAdditional InformationBenefitsWe offer a full-time (100%) doctoral fellowship for 4 years, embedded in a multidisciplinary team of researchers, and within a highly dynamic and international European training network.Eligibility criteria

• You have completed a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computational Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, or possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.
• You have a keen interest in cardiovascular modeling, computational soft tissue biomechanics and cardiovascular (patho)physiology.
• You have proven your proficiency in English language equivalent to B2 level.
• You did not reside or carry out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the three years before 1st of January 2025.
• You are ambitious, well organized, a team player, and have excellent communication skills.
• You can work independently and have a critical mindset.
• You are a pro-active and motivated person, eager to participate in network-wide training events, international mobility, and public dissemination activities.
• Previous experience in hybrid modelling, multi-axial biomechanical tissue characterization, parameter optimization, nonlinear continuum mechanics, finite element analysis, constitutive model development and/or probabilistic modelling and multiple regression analysis is not required but considered a plus.

Selection processFor more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Nele Famaey, or Dr. ir. Lauranne Maes, .
You can apply for this job no later than 01/11/2024 via theWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute KU Leuven Country Belgium State/Province Vlaams Brabant City Leuven Postal Code 3000 Street Leuven GeofieldContact State/ProvinceLeuven CityVlaams Brabant StreetLeuven Postal Code3000 E-Mailnele.famaey@kuleuven.beSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

Location

Louvain, Brabant Flamand

Job date

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 23:18:11 GMT

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