PhD Position F/M Development of a Personalized Anatomical and Biomechanical Eye Model

Context

The MIMESIS team at INRIA is a leading research group at the crossroads of scientific computing, machine learning, medical imaging, and control. Our mission is to develop cutting-edge digital tools for personalized medicine, particularly through the creation of digital twins and advanced numerical methods to assist medical interventions. With a strong foundation in biomechanical modeling of soft tissues and real-time computational methods, we work closely with clinicians to translate scientific innovations into practical healthcare solutions — from surgical planning to augmented reality and robotic control.

As part of this commitment, the MIMESIS team is now involved in PREMYOM, a large-scale, five-year biomedical innovation project focused on personalized myopia treatment for children. Coordinated by EssilorLuxottica and funded by the France 2030 national plan, the PREMYOM consortium brings together six prestigious French partners from research, industry, and healthcare: INRIA, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Institut de la Vision, Institut Mines-Télécom, and InSimo.

PREMYOM aims to establish a new standard in pediatric eye care by developing predictive models and digital tools that account for the anatomical, optical, and behavioral factors influencing myopia progression. The project’s ambitious goal is to transform how we understand, monitor, and treat myopia—turning personalized vision care into a reality.

Your mission will be to contribute to the development of advanced anatomical and biomechanical models of the human eye and its interaction with the head and neck, as part of the broader goal of improving personalized care for children affected by myopia. These models will form the foundation of a digital twin framework designed to support diagnosis, treatment planning, and the development of custom therapeutic lenses.

You will focus on building accurate 3D representations of the eye using clinical imaging data, such as MRI and OCT scans, and developing average eye models that can be customized based on patient-specific clinical measurements. These personalized models will capture both observable clinical features (e.g. axial length, refraction) and internal anatomical characteristics that are typically not accessible in routine practice. The integration of statistical shape modeling and biomechanical simulation will ensure anatomical realism and predictive capacity, enabling a detailed understanding of how the eye evolves under growth and various treatment options.

In parallel, you will participate in the development of a coupled biomechanical model of the eye-head-neck system. This model will simulate the ocular and postural behavior of children during everyday visual tasks, offering insights into how head and eye movements influence optical performance and the evolution of myopia. It will also serve to evaluate the optical and ergonomic effects of different lens designs during real-life activities, providing essential data to optimize the fit, comfort, and efficacy of therapeutic eyewear.

Ultimately, your work will support the generation of individualized eye models that guide the design of personalized myopia control lenses, based on a combination of anatomical, biomechanical, and behavioral inputs. These models will be integrated into an e-health decision-support tool facilitating real-world application of research outcomes in clinical and commercial settings.

• Subsidized meals
• Partial reimbursement of public transport costs
• Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.)
• Possibility of teleworking (after 6 months of employment) and flexible organization of working hours
• Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.)
• Social, cultural and sports events and activities
• Access to vocational training
• Social security coverage

2200  € gross/month