We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated Senior Research Associate in Multiphysics Modelling of Brain Health, to work within the recently established Podium Institute for Sports Medicine at the University of Oxford. The Podium Institute sits within the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME) in the University’s Department of Engineering Science and is supported by a £25m 10-year donation to the University. This full-time post is initially fixed term until 30 September 2027, with the possibility of an extension, subject to funding. The postholder will work under the supervision of Professor Johannes Weickenmeier.  

     

You will be part of an interdisciplinary team of pioneering researchers, with the primary aim to understand the impact of age, trauma, and neurodegenerative diseases on the brain’s unique form and function. We pose that brain shape changes result from continuously evolving microstructure that may be affected by age, injury, and neurodegeneration. We seek to uncover fundamental mechanisms of healthy and accelerated brain aging by coupling mechanics and neurobiology to create multiphysics-informed predictive models of brain health. Specifically, our approach combines finite element modelling and medical image analysis. Our finite element brain models are based on tissue segmentation and our numerical simulations are validated against existing imaging data. The group’s long-term vision is to impact clinical practice by identifying characteristic manifestations of age, trauma, and disease on the brain’s form and function.

 

You will be expected to dedicate your time to the field of Brain Health Across the Lifecycle. Examples of areas of research are: i) identify physiological manifestations and physics-based biomarkers that allow to differentiate between healthy and accelerated brain aging; ii) create multiphysical constitutive models of cortical tissues degeneration during aging and injury; iii) utilize longitudinal medical image data to infer brain aging and injury mechanisms; and iv) study the potential relationship between exposure to head impacts and the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and related dementias later in life. 

 

You will hold a relevant PhD/DPhil with post-qualification experience in the field of mechanical or biomedical engineering, applied mathematics, or another field relevant to the proposed area of research. You will also have proven experience in finite element modelling and data-driven multiphysics approaches. Fluency in Python, Fortran, MATLAB and/or C/C++ and prior work with common finite element simulation software are required.

 

You will help create a healthy and vibrant research environment within The Podium Institute for Sports Medicine at the University of Oxford. This will involve leading, devising, coordinating, and supervising research projects in this area, including the work involved in the collaborations with project partners, guidance to researchers and students, continuously writing papers, and applying for further funding to underpin the research.

 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Johannes Weickenmeier (johannes.weickenmeier@eng.ox.ac.uk).

 

For more information about working at the Department, see  www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/

 

Only online applications received before midday on 16 June 2025 can be considered. You will be required to upload your CV, a supporting statement, a research proposal, and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please read the job description document for more details.

 

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.