Doctoral Candidate Advanced Implant Process Technologies

Change people’s lives and love what you do! Cochlear develops world-leading medical devices that help people hear. As a top 100 medical device company and market-leader in implantable hearing devices, more people choose a Cochlear-branded cochlear implant system than any other. Our employees tell us that the number one reason they enjoy working for Cochlear is the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives.

MicroMan4Health_DC1: Digital Twin for micro-laser welding of titanium for active medical implants

MicroMan4Health is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network developing data-centric micromanufacturing technologies for next-generation healthcare and MedTech applications (https://www.microman4health.eu/). MicroMan4Health pioneers a data-centric micromanufacturing framework for added value in the healthcare and MedTech sector. By transforming process-centric manufacturing into knowledge-driven digital manufacturing, the project enables intelligent, traceable and clinically relevant production of next-generation healthcare devices.

How do micro-scale features, structures and surface properties produced by these diverse micromanufacturing processes influence biological, mechanical, fluidic and electrochemical performance in key medical and diagnostic applications?

MicroMan4Health therefore brings together 15 dedicated doctoral research projects, each addressing a specific micromanufacturing process within a coherent methodological umbrella. At micro- and sub-millimetre scales, manufacturing phenomena cannot be fully described by textbook equations and require dedicated research, advanced experimentation and data-centric modelling strategies. The project addresses a wide range of healthcare applications including cochlear and orthopaedic implants, neural sensing electrodes, dental prostheses and gears, drug-delivery micro-carriers, micro-injectors, bone screws, microfluidic systems and point-of-care diagnostic devices.

This position “Doctoral Candidate Advanced Implant Process Technologies” (DC1) is one of ​15 open doctoral candidate positions. The successful candidate will be hosted by Cochlear’s Advanced Implant Technology Department in Cochlear’s European innovation hub in Mechelen, Belgium, a vibrant lab with a long history in participating in EU funded research programmes. Cochlear Ltd is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, such as cochlear implants. 

One of the core competences of the local Advanced Innovation team is the design, development, prototyping and validation of new disruptive concepts for acoustic active medical devices; Examples include Codacs - a middle ear actuator; OSIA a skull-based piezo-electric implantable actuator, the Carina implantable microphone or more recently implantable microphones for Totally Implantable Cochlear Implants TICI’s. During the development of each of these 4 products the team has built up an extensive experience with the joining processes needed to assemble these micro-precision implants.

The supervisors in Cochlear are ir. Stijn Eeckhoudt, and dr. ir. Guy Fierens. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Manufacturing Processes and Systems (MaPS) lab at the nearby University of Leuven (Prof. Sylvie Castagne), where the candidate will also pursue a doctoral degree.

During the research programme, the doctoral candidate will develop and validate a high-fidelity digital twin for micro-laser welding of titanium components used in active medical implants. It aims to model the physical phenomena behind micro-precision laser welding, verify the model by comparing predicted functional characteristics with real measurements, and evaluate how geometric tolerances of mating parts influence weld quality.

The digital twins will be used in the development of several new (totally implantable) products at Cochlear. Cochlear also has several strategic investments in start-ups in head-based active medical implants where we see a growing need for precision joining techniques and extensive miniaturization. Insights obtained in the welding process will create a spillover effect from the Cochlear product portfolio towards the therapies that are being developed by our partners.

Key objectives:

• Development of a digital twin for micro laser-welded assemblies for active (acoustic) implantable assemblies based on a deep understanding of the physical phenomena involved

• Validation of digital twin by matching the prediction of functional characteristics with physical measurements

• Analysis of the sensitivity to geometric tolerances of mating parts using the digital twin model.

Expected results:

• Validated digital twin of one or more micro-precision laser weld interfaces for existing design

• Methodology for sensitivity analysis of the effect of geometric tolerances using the digital twin

• Design and production guidelines for micro-precision laser weld interfaces

The project is supported by Cochlear’s extensive experience in laser µ-welding, implantable device design, and multiphysics simulation, and will deliver a validated digital twin of existing welded sub-assemblies along with a methodology for tolerance-sensitivity analysis. The resulting tools are expected to enhance the development of next-generation implantable devices and transfer valuable knowledge into manufacturing workflows.

This is a unique opportunity to pursue a PhD degree in a mixed industrial and academic setting. The successful candidates will benefit from an international scientific network of high-profile industrial and academic partners, intersectoral secondments as well as individual and network-wide training modules, including transferable skills courses.

You are the right candidate for this role when:

• You are eligible to the criteria of the EU Funding:

  • You have not already received a PhD or equivalent degree by any institution; researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

  • You can be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. Time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention (1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol), compulsory national service, and/or short stays such as holidays are not considered.

  • You must also be eligible to work in Belgium according to regulations (e.g. visa requirements), and also to travel/work in other European countries for collaborations/secondments and trainings.

• You hold a Master’s degree (min. distinction) or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical, Materials Engineering, Production/Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, Data Science or a related field in Science and Engineering

• You have a strong interest in research, ideally multidisciplinary

• You are motivated by putting theory into practice and enjoy hands-on work

• You are enthusiastic, empathic and driven: you are motivated to work on real life problems

• You have proven analytical skills. You have an inquisitive and creative mind, and good problem-solving skills.

• You are a strong team player with, at the same time, the ability to work independently.

• You have good verbal and written English skills

• Ideally you have experience with either COMSOL, ANSYS or another CAE simulation SW or with process engineering

• You possess practical knowledge of design of experiments (DoE), statistical/data analysis and scientific presentation

• You have knowledge of programming (e.g. Python) and machine learning / AI

• You are willing to travel between the Cochlear office in Mechelen (BE), the University of Leuven (BE), and other consortium partner locations. This includes 2 secondments to Chemnitz (DE, 1 month) and Sydney (AU, 3 months).

You will receive a full-time employment contract, enrolled in a PhD program. The salary is in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers and the exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor applied by EU. The salary includes a living, mobility, and family allowance (if applicable).

The recruitment will be a transparent, open and equal process following the guidelines of the European Charter & Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The candidates will be selected based on scientific qualification and experience, research interest, additional knowledge/skills and their motivation to participate in an intersectoral research-training programme. The process consists of 3 steps:

Evaluation of the applications based on eligibility criteria Assessment on paper of qualifications and activities by the Selection committee Online-interview for the selected candidates

Apply now for the Doctoral Candidate position by completing your online application form below.

Your application should consist of (PDF):

• CV (including publications if any),

• 1-page motivation letter,

• Recommendation letters (min. 2, max. 3).

• Copies of Diplomas and supplements: Include copies of your BSc and MSc degrees with diploma supplements.

• Transcript of Records: Provide transcripts for your BSc and MSc degrees. If you have not yet completed your Master's degree, include your available credits and scores, as well as a list of courses you are taking in the upcoming semester.

• Proof of English Language Proficiency: Documentation demonstrating your proficiency in English (TOEFL, IELTS, …), if available.

What we offer

An attractive remuneration package and flexible extra-legal benefits

An extensive onboarding and training program

An enjoyable work environment with attention to life-work balance and homeworking

A stimulating environment with growth opportunities and opportunity to meet multi-disciplinary colleagues across the globe

This is your chance to be part of a premier organization with a great culture, working in a dynamic, growing and rapidly evolving environment to deliver outstanding results that benefit our customers every day. Be part of something purposeful and APPLY now by clicking on the link below and see your career grow!

Cochlear Summary

Cochlear’s mission is to help people hear and be heard. Around the world, more people chose a Cochlear-branded hearing implant system than any other. Our employees tell us that the number one reason they enjoy working for Cochlear is the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives. Learn and grow with us as we tackle the most complex challenges in helping people to Hear Now. And Always. Cochlear is the global market leader in implantable hearing solutions including cochlear implant systems (CI) and bone anchored hearing aids (Baha™).

Equal opportunities