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🧬 Graduate Research Assistant Positions in Soft Tissue Biomechanics | University of Calgary
Institution: University of Calgary – Schulich School of Engineering
Laboratory: TauMechLab (Biological Tissue Mechanics Lab)
📍 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
💼 Position: Graduate Research Assistant
🎓 Programs: M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (MME) or Biomedical Engineering (BME)
🔬 Research Area: Soft Tissue Biomechanics | Biological Tissue Mechanics | Mechanical Characterization | Computational Modeling | Skin Biomechanics | Aortic Tissue | Finite Element Analysis
Anticipated Start Date: 2027
The TauMechLab (Biological Tissue Mechanics Lab) at the University of Calgary, co-led by Dr. Tais Sigaeva, Assistant Professor, is currently recruiting Graduate Research Assistants for M.Sc. or Ph.D. positions in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (MME) or Biomedical Engineering (BME).
The laboratory focuses on the characterization and modeling of soft biological tissues, including skin and aortic tissues, at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine.
The selected researchers will contribute to advanced research investigating the mechanical behaviour of biological tissues under different loading conditions and developing computational approaches to better understand tissue function, disease progression, and aging.
🔬 What You’ll Work On
Soft Biological Tissue Biomechanics
Investigate the mechanical behaviour of soft biological tissues, with a focus on understanding how tissues respond to different mechanical forces and loading conditions.
Load-Bearing Fibers
Study load-bearing fibers, their heterogeneity, and how their mechanical properties vary across healthy, pathological, and aged tissues.
Mechanical Characterization
Apply experimental techniques to characterize biological tissues through mechanical testing, including:
- Indentation
- Suction
- Torsion
- Shear testing
- Uniaxial testing
- Biaxial testing
Quasi-Static & Dynamic Loading
Explore tissue behaviour under multiple loading conditions, including both quasi-static and dynamic mechanical regimes.
Computational Modeling
Combine experimental mechanical testing with computational modeling to investigate how fiber networks contribute to tissue function and how these properties change with disease or aging.
Skin & Aortic Tissue Research
Work on research involving skin and aortic tissues, contributing to a better understanding of their structure, mechanics, and biological function.
🎯 Your Role
The selected Graduate Research Assistant will be expected to:
- Conduct independent and collaborative research in soft tissue biomechanics.
- Perform mechanical characterization of biological tissues.
- Design and conduct experiments involving stress, strain, deformation, and tissue loading.
- Apply techniques such as indentation, suction, torsion, shear, uniaxial, and biaxial testing.
- Investigate tissue behaviour under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions.
- Analyse experimental data and interpret biomechanical results.
- Use MATLAB and/or Python for data analysis and research programming.
- Contribute to computational modeling of biological tissues and fiber networks.
- Potentially apply finite element analysis to biomechanical research problems.
- Explore how tissue mechanical properties change with health, disease, and aging.
- Participate in required biosafety, ethics, and EDI training.
- Contribute to publications and broader research activities where applicable.
🧪 Research Focus
The research project will focus on developing advanced approaches for the biomechanical analysis, characterization, and modeling of soft biological tissues.
A key emphasis will be placed on understanding load-bearing fibers, their structural heterogeneity, and their variation across healthy, diseased, and aged tissues.
Researchers will combine experimental mechanical testing with computational modeling to investigate:
- Tissue stress and deformation
- Fiber network behaviour
- Mechanical response under different loading conditions
- Differences between healthy and pathological tissues
- Age-related changes in tissue properties
- The relationship between tissue mechanics and biological function
The research brings together concepts from mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, biology, applied mathematics, and medicine.
👨🔬 Ideal Candidates
Applicants should have:
- A B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Engineering, Kinesiology, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline.
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.00 scale.
- The ability to meet the admission requirements for the desired graduate program.
- Solid knowledge of mechanics, including measures of stress and deformation and Hooke’s Law.
- Knowledge or experience in mechanical characterization.
- Strong interest in working with biological tissues.
- Interest in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine.
- Ability to conduct independent research.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Candidates interested in the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:
- Soft tissue biomechanics
- Biomedical engineering
- Biological tissue mechanics
- Mechanical testing
- Computational modeling
- Skin biomechanics
- Aortic tissue research
⭐ Preferred Skills & Experience
The following qualifications are considered an advantage:
- Experience with MATLAB
- Experience with Python programming
- Experience with finite element analysis
- Prior research experience
- Previous scientific publications
- Experience in experimental mechanics or mechanical testing
- Knowledge of biomechanics or soft biological tissues
Candidates with external scholarship funding will also be considered regardless of the current availability of open positions.
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- Opportunity to pursue an M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree at the University of Calgary.
- Research experience at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine.
- Hands-on training in soft tissue biomechanical testing.
- Experience with advanced mechanical characterization techniques.
- Training in experimental and computational biomechanics.
- Experience working with skin and aortic tissues.
- Opportunities to develop programming skills in MATLAB and Python.
- Exposure to finite element analysis and computational modeling.
- Opportunity to conduct independent and interdisciplinary research.
- Potential opportunities to contribute to scientific publications.
- Training in biosafety, ethics, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
- Opportunity to develop expertise in a growing field of biomedical and biomechanical research.
💼 Position Details
Position: Graduate Research Assistant
Degree Level: M.Sc. / Ph.D.
Institution: University of Calgary
School: Schulich School of Engineering
Laboratory: TauMechLab (Biological Tissue Mechanics Lab)
Supervisor: Dr. Tais Sigaeva
Departments: Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (MME) | Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Anticipated Start Date: 2027
Research Areas: Soft Tissue Biomechanics | Biological Tissue Mechanics | Mechanical Characterization | Computational Modeling | Skin Biomechanics | Aortic Tissue
Minimum GPA: 3.5 / 4.00
📄 How to Apply
Potential candidates interested in the position should contact Dr. Tais Sigaeva through the laboratory email:
Email: taumechlab@gmail.com
Applicants should send:
- CV/Resume
- Academic Transcripts
- A short Statement of Interest
- One to two sample publications, if available
- Expected graduation date, for candidates currently completing a degree program
Please use the following subject line:
Application for a Position in Soft Tissues’ Biomechanics
Applicants are encouraged to contact the laboratory directly for further information regarding the available M.Sc. and Ph.D. opportunities.
Note: Only top-listed candidates will be contacted due to the volume of applications.
To ensure your application is reviewed, applicants are requested to refrain from using Dr. Sigaeva’s work email address and instead use the laboratory email provided above.
📌 Job Details
Institution: University of Calgary
School: Schulich School of Engineering
Laboratory: TauMechLab – Biological Tissue Mechanics Lab
Position: Graduate Research Assistant
Degree Programs: M.Sc. | Ph.D.
Departments: Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering | Biomedical Engineering
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Start Date: 2027
Qualification: B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Engineering, Kinesiology, Applied Mathematics, or Related Field
Minimum GPA: 3.5 / 4.00
Key Skills: Mechanics | Stress & Deformation | Mechanical Testing | Data Analysis | MATLAB | Python
Preferred Skills: Finite Element Analysis | Research Experience | Scientific Publications
Research Areas: Soft Tissue Biomechanics | Biological Tissue Mechanics | Skin | Aortic Tissue | Computational Modeling | Mechanical Characterization
Application Mode: Email
Application Email: taumechlab@gmail.com
Required Documents: CV/Resume | Transcripts | Statement of Interest | Sample Publications (Optional) | Expected Graduation Date
Application Subject: Application for a Position in Soft Tissues’ Biomechanics
External Funding: Candidates with external scholarship funding may also be considered
Category
Graduate Research Assistant | MSc Position | PhD Position | Biomedical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Biomechanics | Soft Tissue Biomechanics | Biological Tissue Mechanics | Computational Modeling | University of Calgary Jobs | Canada Research Jobs
🏷️ Tags
#GraduateResearchAssistant #MScPosition #PhDPosition #UniversityOfCalgary #BiomedicalEngineering #MechanicalEngineering #Biomechanics
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