Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship
Orthopaedic fixation traditionally relies on metallic implants to stabilize fractures and reconstruct skeletal defects. Although effective, these implants can lead to infection, implant irritation, and imaging artefacts that complicate postoperative evaluation. The INTERLOCK programme proposes geometry-driven skeletal stabilization using robot-guided laser osteotomies capable of generating complementary interlocking bone geometries without permanent implants.
Mechanical stimuli play a fundamental role in bone healing, regulating tissue differentiation, callus formation and remodelling. Finite element analysis (FEA) enables quantitative assessment of stress, strain and micromotion within complex bone geometries and is essential for understanding how interlocking designs influence the local mechanical environment during healing.
Interlocking laser osteotomies support physiological bone healing without permanent implants
To develop and apply specimen-specific finite element models to characterize and optimize the mechanical performance of interlocking laser osteotomies..
1. Develop high-resolution finite element models of interlocking osteotomies based on µCT imaging.
2. Quantify stress, strain and interfacial micromotion under physiological loading conditions.
3. Compare mechanical performance between different interlocking geometries and conventional plate fixation.
4. Identify key geometric design parameters that influence load transfer and mechanical stability.
A preclinical sheep model of bone reconstruction will be used. Animals will undergo standardized segmental osteotomies followed by conventional plate fixation or interlocking osteotomies using a robot-guided cold-ablation laser system.
Animals will be sacrificed at predefined healing tim.
High-resolution µCT scans will be used to generate specimen-specific finite element models. Image-based segmentation will allow reconstruction of bone microarchitecture and interlocking geometries.
Material properties will be assigned based on density-elasticity relationships. Physiological loading conditions, including muscle forces and joint loading, will be applied to simulate in vivo mechanical conditions.
Outcome measures include:
• strain distribution within cortical and trabecular bone
• stress concentrations at the osteotomy interface
• interfragmentary micromotion
Thomas Baad-Hansen, MD, PhD
Clinical professor of Orthopaedic Oncology
Department of Clinical Medicine
Aarhus University / Aarhus University Hospital
Thomas Levin Andersen, PhD, Professor, Aarhus University
Christian Lind Nielsen, MD, PhD, Aarhus University
Mariana Kersh, PhD, Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Jesper Skovhus, PhD, Professor, Aarhus University
The candidate must hold a medical degree (MD) and have basic to intermediate experience in orthopaedic surgery.
A strong interest in orthopaedic biomechanics and computational modelling is essential. Prior experience with finite element analysis, image-based modelling, or musculoskeletal research will be considered an advantage, but is not mandatory.
The candidate should have solid analytical skills and an interest in interdisciplinary research combining orthopaedic surgery, biomechanics and engineering approaches.
Shortlisting will be applied.
Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 15 May 2026 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please contact Professor and Chief Consultant Thomas Baad-Hansen, thombaad@rm.dk, for more information.
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
