Stefania Scarsoglio

PhD opportunity in Cardiovascular Deconditioning and Space Medicine at Politecnico di Torino This CSC-funded PhD project is hosted by DIMEAS at Politecnico di Torino, Italy, and focuses on the computational investigation of cardiovascular deconditioning in space medicine. The project is led by Prof. Stefania Scarsoglio and Prof. Luca Ridolfi, with contact via [email protected] and [email protected]. The research addresses how long-duration spaceflight alters cardiovascular function, including cephalad fluid shift, changes in blood volume and venous return, and disrupted hemodynamic regulation. These effects are linked to important mission risks such as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The successful candidate will work on a closed-loop, multiscale 0D–1D cardiovascular model and extend it to capture gravity- and posture-dependent processes such as venous collapse, lower-body negative pressure (LBNP), gravity gradients, and Coriolis forces in short-radius artificial gravity. The project combines aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, and applied mathematics, with strong emphasis on computational science, fluid dynamics, numerical methods, and scientific programming. Model outputs may be compared with non-invasive data from ground-based analogues including head-up/head-down tilt, water immersion, and centrifuge experiments. The research aims to generate testable hypotheses and improve understanding of physiological countermeasures for long-duration spaceflight, especially LBNP and artificial gravity. This is a full-time, temporary PhD position starting 1 November 2027. The application deadline is 10 December 2026. Funding is provided through the China Scholarship Council rather than an EU framework programme. Applicants should review the official PoliTO CSC call and submit via the university application portal. Eligibility highlights include citizenship of the People’s Republic of China, a qualifying Master’s degree completed or expected by the deadline, the required academic record, and English proficiency at CEFR B2 level. Candidates from mechanical, aerospace, or biomedical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or related quantitative fields are encouraged to apply.