PhD Position (FPI Fellowship) – Multiscale Modeling of Bacteria-Host Cell Interactions
The M2BE Group (Multiscale in Biomechanics and Bioengineering) at the Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza (Spain) is seeking highly motivated candidates for a 4-year fully funded PhD contract (FPI Fellowship).
The position is linked to the research project: “Simulation of Mechanical Interactions Between Bacteria and Host Cells: From 2D Monolayers to 3D Physiological Conditions (BacHoMec)”, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2024-155426OB-I00).
🎯 Aim of the project:
Achieve a deeper understanding of the biomechanical mechanisms governing bacterial dissemination within the human body. This knowledge is intended to inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies for bacterial infections by targeting the biomechanics of host–bacteria interactions, thereby offering an alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments.
🔬 Research focus:
The successful candidate will work on cutting-edge computational and experimental approaches to investigate how bacteria mechanically interact with host cells, bridging 2D to 3D environments under physiological conditions.
✅ Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Sciences.
• Master’s degree (to be completed before contract signing, expected March/April 2026).
• Good level of English (spoken and written).
✨ Valued experience (not mandatory):
• Computational modeling, biomechanics, microbiology, or related fields.
• Matlab, Phyton, ABAQUS
📩 How to apply:
Interested candidates should contact Mª José Gómez Benito at gomezmj@unizar.es.
Join us and be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team working at the frontier of biomechanics, bioengineering, and microbiology!