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Laboratory of
Ocular Biomechanics

University of Pittsburgh

Contact


Dr. Ian A. Sigal

Email: ian@ocularbiomechanics.com

UPMC Vision Institute


Adresss

  • UPMC Mercy Pavilion, Rm:7.382
    1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213



Accessing our Lab

  • Our lab is located on the 7th floor of the pavillion
    Badge acesss is required to reach our lab, please contact a member from our lab and we will be happy to escort you from the lobby


Bus Routes

  • The following PRT busses can be taken from Oakland to our building:
    61A 61B 61C 71B 28X 69


Parking

  • Mercy Pavilion Garage-enter from Pavilion Drive: first two hours are free, after two hours rates apply

  • Limited metered parking is available on Stevenson Street, and in the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Forbes Avenue


Positions

PhD Position Available

We are seeking a PhD student to develop a new class of bio-inspired materials. This is a hands-on project suiting someone in engineering interested in the interface between mechanics, materials and robotics.
Do you enjoy making things through 3D printing, CNC, and robotics, including programming, electronics, and control?
Applicants should email ian@OcularBiomechanics.com, explaining why they fit the project and detailing relevant experience. If you have completed projects making objects or devices that involved learning and pushing 3D printing, please share details.

We are always looking for smart and highly motivated people interested in working with us. We can hire as research assistant, graduate student and post-doc positions available. No experience with the eye necessary for all positions.

If interested, send CV or Resume to ian@OcularBiomechanics.com (Dr. Sigal). Please tell us in your email which of the areas experience topics above fits you, or why you are applying. If you have published, please attach some example publication PDFs. If you need funding, we can help you apply. Bear in mind that most funding support is very competitive. Applications for summer fellowships and scholarships are usually due in January or February, so please contact us early.

Postdocs/Graduate students/Research assistants:
We have several projects and positions and are looking for excellent applicants, independent of career stage. Experience in any of the following:

  • Robotics

  • Optics/Imaging (microscopy, structured light, OCT, ultrasound)

  • Image processing (DIC, DVC, segmentation)

  • Soft tissue mechanics (experimental or computational)

  • Blood flow (experimental or computational)

  • Astrocyte, axon or pericyte mechanics. TBI effects on axons.

  • Glaucoma and/or myopia


Research assistants:
Experience handling animals and tissues, and with imaging and image processing are important. Experience in a research setting is preferred.


Undergraduate students:
We regularly receive undergraduate students from all over Pitt. Many of them come for Design projects (e.g. MEMS 1043) or Intramural Internships (e.g. BIOENG 1002). We also regularly receive students for summer research. Most of them do research associated with coursework, or are volunteers who want experience in research.