Postdoctoral Researcher in Orthopaedic Biomechanics: Sex-Specific Impingement Risk Modelling in Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAIS)

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position in orthopaedic biomechanics with a focus on femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).

The project will investigate how cam morphology influences impingement risk during functional activities, and how this relationship differs between men and women. The successful candidate will work with clinical hip imaging data to reconstruct three-dimensional anatomy, simulate hip motion across activity-specific movement patterns, and quantify sex-specific differences in predicted impingement risk.

The position is based at the Biomedical Engineering Centre (BEC), Department of Technology and Innovation, and forms part of a broader research program linking imaging, biomechanics, and surgical outcome prediction in hip preservation surgery.

Project Overview

Hip arthroscopy for cam-type FAIS aims to restore joint clearance by resecting pathological bone. However, a substantial proportion of patients do not achieve meaningful clinical improvement. At the same time, the epidemiology of FAIS is sex-skewed, and increasing evidence suggests that morphology, motion patterns, and treatment response may differ between men and women.

This project will:

• Segment hip imaging data (MRI/CT) to reconstruct accurate 3D femoral and acetabular geometry
• Simulate hip motion across a range of sporting and functional activities
• Quantify activity-specific impingement risk
• Compare morphological and biomechanical risk profiles between male and female patients

The overarching aim is to identify whether sex-specific morphological–biomechanical phenotypes exist, and whether these may help explain differential treatment response following cam resection.

Job Description and Responsibilities

We are seeking a researcher with strong technical skills in medical image processing and biomechanical modelling, who is motivated by clinically relevant research questions.

The postdoctoral researcher will:

Specific Duties

• Segment hip MRI or CT scans to generate accurate 3D models of femoral and acetabular anatomy
• Implement and refine computational models that simulate hip motion across activity-specific kinematic inputs
• Quantify impingement risk metrics 
• Compare predicted impingement risk between male and female cohorts
• Analyse relationships between morphology, simulated impingement risk, and available clinical variables
• Contribute to ethics applications and data governance processes where required

Additional Duties

• Manage day-to-day research activities and coordinate data processing pipelines
• Develop and adapt segmentation and modelling workflows
• Contribute to statistical analysis and interpretation of sex-specific findings
• Prepare manuscripts, conference abstracts, and presentations
• Contribute to grant development within the broader hip preservation programme
• Participate in teaching and supervision activities where appropriate

Selection Criteria

Essential

• PhD (or near completion*) in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, computational biomechanics, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience working with 3D medical imaging data (CT and/or MRI), including segmentation and reconstruction of anatomical structures.
• Experience working with 3D geometry or surface meshes derived from medical imaging.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or a similar language used for scientific computing.
• Experience implementing or working with computational models of joint motion, collision detection, or range-of-motion simulation.
• Ability to conduct independent research and contribute to collaborative interdisciplinary projects involving engineers and clinicians.
• Evidence of scientific writing, including peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts in preparation.

* PhD thesis has been submitted.

Desirable

• Knowledge of hip biomechanics or femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).
• Experience integrating motion capture or movement datasets into biomechanical simulations.
• Experience of analysing and looking for associations in clinical outcomes.
• Teaching or supervision experience

About SDU BEC

At the SDU Biomedical Engineering Centre (BEC), we develop engineered solutions that are intuitive, practical, and clinically meaningful. Our research integrates imaging, biomechanics, robotics, and translational engineering to address real-world orthopaedic challenges.

The BEC is located in Odense, a rapidly growing international research hub known for robotics and medical technology innovation. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive research culture where researchers from all backgrounds can thrive.

For further information, please contact Tenure Track Assistant Professor Monica Armengol moarm@iti.sdu.dk. 

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include: 

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae 
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts (original and an official English translation).  
• Complete list of publications.
• Publications most relevant to the position – max 2-page summary (full-text PDFs of publications)
• Summary and documentation of experience in teaching, if relevant to the position. 
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected. 

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file). 

The application deadline is May 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Conditions of employment

Appointment as a postdoc is temporary for an initial 2-year period, and the preferred start date is from June 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The specific start date will be agreed with the successful candidate. Extension may be possible depending on available funding.

Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described therein. Further information on salary and taxation. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.