IMDEA Materials Institute is a public research organization founded in 2007 by Madrid’s regional government to carry out research of excellence in Material Science and Engineering by attracting talent from all over the world to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment. IMDEA Materials has grown rapidly since its foundation and currently includes more than 120 researchers from 22 nationalities and has become one of the leading research centers in materials in Europe which has received the María de Maeztu seal of excellence from the Spanish government. The research activities have been focused on the areas of materials for transport, energy, and health care and the Institute has state-of-the-art facilities for processing, characterization and simulation of advanced materials.

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In order to promote the future success of AM (precision 3D and 4D printing using active alloys) for the biotech sector, this project will address the design and fabrication of devices such as vascular stents for the treatment of stenosis and aneurysms in hard-to-reach areas with complex geometries, and minimally invasive heart valves. The combined use of metamaterials, with unique properties derived from their microarchitecture and manufacturing using shape memory and/or superelastic alloys will enable minimally invasive processes and sequential shape-changing principles with unprecedented metamorphic capabilities. These advantages will result in a new generation of 'smart' and personalized medical devices that will alter the status quo in the field of cardiovascular surgery. These applications, linked to high-performance active implants, will help pave new paths in the realm of industrial biotechnology.

In this study, the candidate will develop additive manufacturing of metamaterials using shape memory alloys and functional gradients. In detail, the main research tasks include:

• Optimization of additive manufacturing parameters of diverse structures using LPBF
• Printing of personalized and superelastic cardiovascular implants for minimally invasive surgery
• Microstructural characterization of the obtained material/structures (phases, porosity, surface roughness, etc.)
• Surface optimization/characterization by electropolishing
• Determination of mechanical properties of the fabricated structures
• Methodology development for digitalized comparison of geometric structures with the original CAD models
• Systematic parametrization of relevant metrics for the specific application.

For PhD candidates, the position is most appropriate for recent master's graduates (or soon to graduate) in fields related to material science and engineering or related disciplines with excellent academic credentials pursuing a PhD in advance manufacturing with focus on biomedical application.

Previous experience in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing, material characterization such as SEM and XCT, or data/image analysis will be appreciated and positively evaluated.

Programming knowledge in any language, preferably Python for compatibility with already developed work will be valued.

Full proficiency in English, oral and written, is mandatory.

Interested candidates should submit their Curriculum Vitae, a brief cover letter addressing their motivation, as well as academic credentials.

- 3 years contract with 1 year evaluation period.

- Full-time contract including social security coverage.

- The post will remain active and open until filled.

- Expected start date: as soon as viable candidate is found.