CSC-Funded PhD Opportunity in Cardiovascular Deconditioning and Space Medicine – Politecnico di Torino

Descrizione

Offer Description: Cardiovascular Deconditioning in Space Medicine: A Computational Approach to Investigate Mechanisms and Potential Countermeasures PhD Project in Aerospace Engineering funded by China Scholarship Council DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Italy Supervisors: Prof. Stefania Scarsoglio ( [email protected] ) and Prof. Luca Ridolfi ( [email protected] ) Research context and abstract Long-duration spaceflight induces cardiovascular adaptations, including cephalad fluid shift, changes in blood volume and venous return, and altered hemodynamic regulation. These responses contribute to cardiovascular deconditioning and may be associated with mission-relevant risks such as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The mechanisms linking altered gravity to systemic, cerebral, ocular, and venous hemodynamics remain incompletely understood. This project will build on the group’s existing closed-loop, multiscale 0D–1D cardiovascular model and its subsequent developments to investigate cardiovascular adaptation to altered gravity and the mechanisms underlying deconditioning. The framework will be extended to represent gravity- and posture-dependent processes, including venous collapse, pressure effects associated with lower-body negative pressure (LBNP), and gravity gradients and Coriolis forces during short-radius artificial gravity (AG). Where suitable data are available, model behavior will be evaluated against non-invasive measurements from ground-based analogues, including head-up/head-down tilt, water immersion, and centrifuge studies. The model will then be used to examine the potential physiological effects of countermeasures, particularly LBNP and AG. The aim is to improve mechanistic understanding and generate testable hypotheses to inform future experimental studies and the assessment of potential cardiovascular countermeasures for long-duration spaceflight. Contact: [email protected] Requirements: Research Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent Research Field Mathematics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent Research Field Physics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent Skills/Qualifications Candidates with a background in mechanical, aerospace, or biomedical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline are encouraged to apply. A foundation in fluid dynamics, numerical methods, and scientific programming would be valuable. Experience applying computational approaches to cardiovascular systems or analyzing physiological data is an asset, but a specialization in space medicine is not required. Interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of computational science, cardiovascular physiology, and space medicine is expected. Specific Requirements Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of the PoliTO–CSC call, including citizenship of the People’s Republic of China, a qualifying Master’s degree (or expected completion by the application deadline), the required academic record, and English proficiency at CEFR B2 level. Languages ENGLISH Level Good Internal Application form(s) needed CSC_PhD_Project.pdf English (285.52 KB - PDF) Download

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Fonte: euraxess.ec.europa.eu