Master Thesis – Development of an Animal Body Model for FEM Simulations

Background

Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations are widely used to study how structures and materials respond to different loading conditions. Extending these methods to biological systems makes it possible to investigate complex biomechanical responses that can be difficult to study experimentally.

A key challenge when developing computational models of animals is creating an anatomically representative model that combines external body shape with internal structures and appropriate mechanical properties for different biological tissues.

In this Master’s thesis, you will investigate and develop an animal body model for use in FEM simulations. The project will cover several stages of the modelling process, from identifying suitable anatomical data and reconstructing geometries to defining tissue properties and preparing the model for simulation.

Objective

The objective of the thesis is to create a finite element model of an animal.

The work will focus on identifying and combining suitable external and internal anatomical geometries, defining the relevant tissues and their mechanical properties, and translating the resulting anatomical model into a form suitable for FEM simulations.

Scope and Example Tasks

The thesis is expected to include several of the following activities:

Perform a literature review of existing computational animal models and relevant biomechanical modelling methods.
Investigate available sources of anatomical data, such as CT/MRI data, 3D scans, anatomical databases, and existing CAD or surface models.
Identify suitable breed of dog based on availability in literature and popularity.
Identify and reconstruct relevant internal anatomical structures, such as the skeleton, organs, muscles, adipose tissue, and skin.
Process, clean, scale, position, and combine geometries obtained from different sources into a consistent anatomical model.
Investigate suitable strategies for meshing complex biological geometries for FEM.
Implement the resulting geometry, mesh, contacts/interfaces, and material definitions in an FEM environment.
Evaluate the numerical behaviour of the model through selected simulation cases.
Document assumptions, limitations, and recommendations for continued development and validation of the model.

The exact scope and level of anatomical detail will be determined together with the student based on available data, project requirements, and the intended application of the model.

Expected Outcome

The expected outcome of the thesis is a animal body model, or a substantial first version of such a model, together with a document of its development.

The work should also provide recommendations for future refinement and validation, including areas where additional anatomical or biomechanical data are required.

Master Thesis Opportunity: Development of a Human Body Model for FEM Simulations

Background

Human Body Models (HBMs) are detailed computational representations of the human body used to investigate biomechanical response under different loading conditions. Through Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations, HBMs can provide detailed information about deformation, forces, stresses, strains, and potential injury mechanisms within the human body.

Developing an HBM requires the integration of several disciplines. Anatomical geometries need to be identified and reconstructed, different anatomical structures must be combined into a consistent model, and appropriate constitutive models and mechanical properties must be assigned to biological tissues.

In this Master’s thesis, you will investigate and develop a Human Body Model for FEM simulations, covering the modelling process from anatomical data and geometry generation to material characterization and numerical implementation.

Objective

The objective of the thesis is to develop a simulation-ready Human Body Model.

The work will investigate how external and internal human anatomy can be reconstructed and combined, how different biological tissues can be represented computationally, and how suitable material properties can be identified and implemented for FEM simulations.

Scope and Example Tasks

The thesis is expected to include several of the following activities:

Investigate available anatomical datasets and methods for obtaining human geometry, including CT/MRI data, 3D scans, anatomical databases, and existing geometric models.
Identify and obtain suitable external human body geometry.
Identify and reconstruct relevant internal anatomical geometries, potentially including bones, organs, muscles, adipose tissue, skin, and connective tissues.
Process, clean, scale, align, and combine anatomical structures into a consistent whole-body model.
Investigate methods for creating high-quality meshes suitable for FEM simulations.
Conduct a literature review of the mechanical properties of biological tissues and identify suitable experimental data.
Select appropriate constitutive/material models and parameters for the tissues included in the HBM.
Investigate how factors such as anatomical location, loading rate, and available experimental data affect the selection of material properties.
Implement the geometry, mesh, material definitions, contacts, and boundary conditions in an FEM environment.
Perform selected simulations to assess the numerical behavior and robustness of the developed model.
Identify model limitations and establish recommendations for future refinement, verification, and validation.

Expected Outcome

The expected outcome is a simulation-ready Human Body Model (HBM), or a substantial first version of such a model, incorporating relevant external and internal anatomy together with suitable tissue material definitions.

An important outcome will also be a documented and repeatable methodology covering the workflow from anatomical data acquisition through geometry processing, meshing, material characterization, and FEM implementation.

The thesis should provide a foundation that can be further developed, validated, and applied in future biomechanical simulations.

CAE Engineer – Structural & Biomechanical Analysis

Do you want to work at the forefront of technology and contribute to the development of tomorrow’s products in medtech, life science and biomechanics?
We at Sigma Industry LifeTech are now looking for a CAE Engineer with experience in structural and biomechanical analysis.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a CAE Engineer at Sigma Industry LifeTech, you become part of a growing and dedicated engineering team that supports customers in advanced product development. You contribute your expertise in simulation and biomechanics through different phases of design and verification, from early concepts to final validation. The role is particularly suited to you who are interested in user-centered design and mechanical behavior in biological or medical contexts.

You will:

Perform structural simulations using FEA tools (e.g. LS-DYNA, Abaqus, COMSOL)
Contribute to biomechanical modeling of products that interact with the human body
Analyze stress, deformation, fatigue and contact mechanics in complex systems
Support product design with insights and recommendations based on simulation
Work closely with design, test and regulatory teams
Prepare and communicate technical reports and documentation

Assignments can be carried out in-house or on site at our customers within medtech, life science or biomechanics, depending on your background and interests.

WHO ARE YOU?

You are a curious and committed engineer with a passion for solving real-world problems through simulation and analysis. You appreciate technical depth, collaboration and contributing to important product development projects.

We’re looking for someone with:

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, engineering mathematics or engineering physics
At least 3 years of experience in CAE/FEA, preferably with biomechanical applications and modeling of the human body
Good knowledge of Ansys, Abaqus, LS-Dyna, ANSA, COMSOL Multiphysics or similar
Understanding of material behavior in biological tissues or soft materials is a plus
Good communication skills in English (Swedish is a plus)

ADDITIONAL MERITS:

Background in medical devices, orthopedics or wearable technology
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks (ISO 13485, ISO 10993, MDR)
Programming or automation skills in Python or MATLAB
Experience in human body modeling or digital twins

WHAT CAN WE OFFER?

As part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to work across multiple industries and assignments – enjoying the variety of consulting with the stability of one employer. We deliver expertise in areas such as Product Development, UX & Design, PLM, Industrial IT, Production Engineering, and Project Management. Assignments may be at the client’s site or from our vibrant office located in the heart of Lindholmen Science Park.

We value doing things together and maintaining a healthy work-life balance – whether it’s after-work gatherings, events, sports activities, ski trips, or inspirational lectures. We’ve travelled together to many exciting destinations, most recently South Africa(!) to celebrate our 10-year anniversary as a consultancy!

Continuous competence development is important to us. In addition to the growth opportunities in your assignments and technical trainings, we also offer internal programs for personal development.

We believe that autonomy, involvement, and influence create the motivation needed for you to reach your personal goals. Our employees choose us because we share this view on career, the future, and life in general. Who you are is just as important as what you do – and our ambition is to find a setup that allows you to grow and develop into something great together with our clients.

SIGMA GROUP

As part of the Sigma Group, we offer the best of both worlds – stability and entrepreneurial spirit.

We are the small company within the large Sigma family, consisting of several specialized companies across various technical disciplines. Today, we are around 5,000 employees operating in 14 countries, making us Sweden’s largest privately-owned consulting group.

We look forward to your application!

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Open application – Sigma LifeTech

Are you ready for something new?
Imagine kickstarting your next adventure with a great bunch of people who live and breathe industry, helping some of Sweden’s largest companies succeed. Sound like something for you? Perfect! Apply to our ad and let’s talk about who you are, what you’ve done, and where you want to go next. Maybe you’re our next star!

We’re looking for you who…
…have already gathered a few years of experience in industry or technical roles and now feel it’s time for something new and exciting! If you have worked as any of the following, we definitely want to hear from you:

Project Manager
CAE Engineer
Mechanical Engineer in medtech
RA/QA Engineer
Development Engineer
Laboratory Engineer
Materials Engineer
Validation Lead/Engineer
3D Visualizer

Please state in your application which role(s) you are most interested in (and qualified for).

Location
This ad applies to our office in Gothenburg. The nature of the assignment and the work environment determine whether you need to be on site, can work fully remotely, or can work in a hybrid arrangement.

About Sigma Industry LifeTech
Sigma Industry LifeTech AB is a consulting company founded in 2026 and specialized in life science and medtech. We support our customers from idea to finished product and help them drive innovation, develop new products and services, and improve the efficiency of their operations. Our customers are found within consumer products, medical devices, R&D, laboratory operations, and biomechanics.

Sigma is a global company with heart – here you’ll feel like part of the family! We always make sure our employees are doing well and have everything they need to grow. We have a collective agreement (of course!), a generous wellness allowance, and plenty of opportunities to have fun outside of work. We want you to thrive here, for a long time, and feel like part of the Sigma family.

Application
This is an ad for open applications, an opportunity for an initial conversation to see whether Sigma could be an employer for you now or in the future. We review all applications on a rolling basis, so don’t wait with your application!

Mechanical Engineer with HEAVY VEHICLES knowledge and CREO

Now you have the chance to be part of developing the truck of the future!

We are now looking for you who have at least 8 years of experience in design and want to continue growing in product development within the automotive industry and heavy vehicles!

You will be part of a development team focused on creating the next generation of trucks.

As a designer, you will be responsible for designing and developing your technical area as part of a cross-functional team. You will work closely with team members and other designers responsible for related components. The role also includes participating in concept studies and improvement work as well as communicating with suppliers.

As a person, you are social, a team player, flexible and service-oriented to quickly adapt to customer needs. You have the ambition to constantly develop and take on new challenges.

You need to have drive and commitment!

We value people who have the ability to solve problems and who have a positive attitude that inspires and spreads to others.

Working cross-functionally is something that excites you and that you enjoy.

Experience requirements:

Experience with heavy vehicles, Volvo, Scania, etc.
Mechanical design. At least 8 years

B.Sc or M.Sc in Mechanical Engineering, Product Development.
Good knowledge of both Swedish and English is required, both spoken and written.

Merits:

Interest in technology
PTC CREO

Requirements:
Agile working methods
Project management
JIRA

Note!

Applications are handled on an ongoing basis, so get in touch if you’re interested as soon as possible!

ABOUT SIGMA INDUSTRY WEST
As an employer, we are known for our personal atmosphere and a culture of great openness, involvement, and lots of energy. We see our employees as our most important asset.

We provide top expertise in areas such as product development, UX, industrial IT, embedded systems, production technology, and project management. We offer both on-site consultants at the customer and project assignments from our local offices. Our offerings range from the first product sketch all the way to manufacturing.

As a consultant with us, you have the opportunity to try out different industries and areas of technology. You will participate in and lead projects that are at the forefront of technology and develop products for a better tomorrow. Our clients are world-leading product companies in various industries, but the majority today are in the automotive industry in Western Sweden.

Since our start in 2014, we have had fantastic growth. Together with our subsidiaries Sigma Embedded Engineering and Sigma Energy & Marine, we now have over 300 employees. We are also present in the USA and Norway.

WHAT CAN WE OFFER?
We like doing things together and strive for a good mix of work and free time. This can be after-work gatherings, events, fitness activities, trips to the Alps, or inspirational lectures. We’ve gone on many fun trips together, and last time we sailed in Croatia, which was amazing to experience as a group.
And YES – we have both our own food truck and our own band 🙂

Skills development has always been important to us, and in addition to opportunities for growth within your consulting assignment and various technical trainings, we have internal programs for personal development. Flow by Sigma is a program that focuses on, among other things, everyday balance, setting and achieving personal goals, and managing change. We also have a mentoring program that kicks off every year with a number of mentors and mentees. We also offer LinkedIn Learning licenses for those interested in digital self-study.

We believe that self-determination, participation, and influence create the motivation needed for you to succeed in reaching your personal goals. Our employees have chosen us as an employer because we share this very view on careers, the future, and life in general. With us, who you are is just as important as what you do. The aim is to find a way that gives you the opportunity to grow and develop into something great together with our clients.

SIGMA GROUP
As part of the Sigma Group, we offer the best of both worlds; stability and an entrepreneurial spirit. Sigma consists of several companies within different technical expertise areas and today has over 3,500 employees and operations in 11 countries. This makes us Sweden’s largest privately owned consulting group.

Project manager to Sigma – Heavy vehicle segment

Your profile:

We are looking for someone who is a Project Manager with expertise in heavy vehicles, preferably trucks or buses.

At least five years of experience in project management is required.

You will drive product development and take a key role at the intersection of requirements, system ownership, and supplier collaboration. The client is based in Gothenburg.

The role combines project management, product architecture, and system ownership. You will be an important link between internal stakeholders and the supplier base.

What:
– Drive and coordinate product development work.
– Manage and follow up on requirements at system and product level.
– Be the contact point for suppliers on technical and product-related issues.
– Ensure progress, quality, and alignment between all parties involved.

Experience requirements:
– At least 5 years of project management experience in the automotive sector.
– Experience in requirements management, system ownership, or product architecture.
– Ability to collaborate effectively with external suppliers.

Project management or lead role

B.Sc or M.Sc in Mechanical Engineering, Product Development or similar

Good knowledge of both Swedish and English is required, both spoken and written

Meriting:

Experience with trucks and heavy vehicles

About you:

You are an outgoing person with the ability to make connections and dive into what is needed to solve the problems and situations that arise in your daily work.

You are driven and take initiative.

You strive to create a positive atmosphere.

You enjoy working cross-functionally.

You take responsibility and look after both the customer’s and Sigma’s interests.

Welcome to apply!

Note: Interviews are conducted on an ongoing basis and the role will be filled as soon as the right candidate is found.

Mechanical Design Engineer – Defense Sector

Do you have a strong interest in technology and product development? Are you an experienced Design Engineer with a solid background in PTC Creo and looking for your next challenge within the defense industry?

We are currently seeing a growing demand for design engineers and are looking for someone who wants to develop together with us and contribute to technically challenging projects.

About the Role

As a Design Engineer, you will work as part of a cross-functional project team, taking responsibility for the design and development of your technical area. You will collaborate closely with other design engineers and specialists working with adjacent components and areas.

Your work may include concept development and studies, improvements to existing solutions, and collaboration and communication with suppliers. You will have the opportunity to work in a project environment where technical knowledge, collaboration, and problem-solving are important parts of the role.

About You

We are looking for someone who enjoys working in a project-based environment and is comfortable working both independently and together with others. You communicate clearly, build good relationships, and feel confident in your technical expertise.

You are driven and committed to delivering high-quality results, while being able to adapt to changing customer and project requirements. Most importantly, you have a genuine interest in technology and strong experience working with PTC Creo.

Your Background

B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, or a similar field.
5+ years of experience working as a Design Engineer.
Strong experience and knowledge of PTC Creo.
Previous experience from the defense industry or a similar industry is an advantage.
Good communication skills in both Swedish and English, spoken and written.

What can we offer?
As an employee with us, you get the opportunity to work across multiple areas with our clients – essentially the best part of being a consultant – but with the security of a single employer! We deliver specialized expertise in areas such as Product Development, UX & Design, PLM, Industrial IT, Production Engineering, and Project Management. Once on assignment, you’ll either be on-site with a client or working on projects from our lovely office, located in the heart of Lindholmen Science Park.

We enjoy doing things together and strive for a good balance between work and leisure. This could include after-work gatherings, events, fitness activities, ski trips, or inspirational talks. We have shared many fun trips together, and in September 2024 we returned from South Africa(!) where we celebrated 10 years as a consulting company!

Professional development has always been important to us. In addition to opportunities for growth through your consulting assignments and various technical trainings, we offer internal programs for personal development.

We also believe that autonomy, involvement, and influence create the motivation needed for you to achieve your personal goals. Our employees choose to work with us because we share this perspective on careers, the future, and life in general. With us, who you are is just as important as what you do. Our goal is to find a structure that gives you the chance to grow and develop into something great together with our clients.

Sigma Group
As part of the Sigma Group, we offer the best of both worlds: stability and an entrepreneurial spirit.

We are the “small company within the large Sigma,” consisting of several companies across different technical expertise areas. Today, we have over 5,000 employees and operate in 14 countries, making us Sweden’s largest privately-owned consulting group.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Project Planner – Defense Sector

Are you structured, detail-oriented, and comfortable working across different parts of an organization? Would you like to develop in a project environment where planning and coordination are key to keeping production running smoothly?

We are currently looking for a Project Planner to plan and follow up on material purchases and production schedules for products within the defense industry.

About the Role

As a Project Planner, you will have a central role at the interface between Engineering, Purchasing, Project Management, and Production. You will plan and monitor material availability and manufacturing activities to ensure that everything is in place on time and that production can proceed according to plan.

An important part of the role is managing Change Orders and assessing their impact on the project schedule. You will also follow up on material shortages and production bottlenecks and ensure that the necessary actions are identified and implemented.

The role involves many interfaces and requires the ability to coordinate multiple activities and timelines in parallel.

About You

You are structured and detail-oriented, with a good ability to keep track of details, deadlines, and dependencies. You enjoy working in a dynamic, cross-functional environment and collaborating with different functions and stakeholders.

You are a good communicator who builds strong working relationships. At the same time, you are self-motivated, take ownership of your responsibilities, and are comfortable driving your work forward independently.

Your Background

B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a similar field, or equivalent professional experience.
At least 2 years of experience in production planning, material planning, project planning, or a similar role.
Strong ability to structure and coordinate multiple activities and timelines in parallel.
Good communication skills and an interest in working cross-functionally.

Sigma Group
As part of the Sigma Group, we offer the best of both worlds: stability and an entrepreneurial spirit.

We look forward to receiving your application!

GROUP DESIGN LEADER

THE ROLE

Have you previously worked as a Group Design Leader (GDL), Lead Engineer or Component Owner in the automotive industry? Sigma Industry is now looking for new colleagues to join our team at Lindholmen and for assignments with our customers.

As a GDL or Lead Engineer at Sigma, you will have a role where you are expected to take a high level of responsibility and drive your area forward. We are looking for someone who is used to creating structure, planning and setting priorities – even when all conditions or boundaries are not fully defined. You are comfortable making decisions, bringing the right people together and making sure activities are completed.

You have a good overview and are used to balancing technology, timing and cost. At the same time, you enjoy being close to the technical topics and can easily switch between long-term planning and problems that need to be solved here and now. You do not need to have all the answers yourself, but you know how to find them and how to involve the right people along the way.

The role is varied and suits someone who is comfortable with a high level of responsibility and freedom to act. You are proactive and able to work independently, while also seeing teamwork as a natural part of getting things done. You find it easy to build relationships, communicate clearly and get people involved. You are positive, down-to-earth and willing to step in where needed to help the team move forward.

At Sigma, you will have the opportunity to continue developing within technical project management and product development. We work with several customers and assignments within the automotive industry and are continuously looking for experienced GDLs and Lead Engineers to join our team.

CHECKLIST

Everyone is new at some point and will learn many things along the way, but before we start working together, we would prefer that you have previous experience as a Sub-Project Leader, Group Design Leader, Lead Engineer, Design Project Leader or in a similar role.

B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, Automotive Engineering or a similar field.
At least 5 years of experience in product development.
Experience independently driving technical topics and activities.
Communicative, driven, positive and down-to-earth.
Used to working with different functions and getting people involved.

Previous experience from CEVT, Lynk & Co or Zeekr is highly valued, as is experience from GDL or Lead Engineer roles at Volvo Cars. Being fluent in spoken and written Swedish is also considered an advantage.

Lead Engineer Powertrain

Do you want to help develop the powertrains of the future for vehicles and industry?

At Sigma Industry West, we see a growing demand for experienced engineers with expertise in powertrain – and we are now looking for you who want to take part in engineering the powertrains of tomorrow.

With us, you’ll work in project-based assignments, either at the customer’s site or at our in-house operations in Lindholmen, focusing on the development of powertrains, transmissions, and engines (ICE, PHEV, BEV).

As a Powertrain Engineer, you will play a key role in development projects within industrial and marine applications as well as heavy-duty vehicles.

Your work may include design, component responsibility, or, in some cases, technical project management. The projects vary in scope and content – but what they all have in common is close collaboration with our customers, often in an international context. We offer a flexible work environment based at our friendly office in Lindholmen – with a focus on sustainable transport solutions, technical development, and your continued professional growth.

WE´RE LOOKING FOR YOU WITH

B.Sc. / M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, or similar
At least 3 years of experience in design or assignment/project management within powertrain
A strong interest in technology

MERITS:

Experience with heavy-duty vehicles
LNG & alternative fuels for ICE
KOLA, KDP
Experience in designing with CREO, Catia
Proficiency in Swedish, spoken and written

You are a communicative and collaborative person who quickly adapts to new conditions and customer needs. You thrive in a dynamic environment, are highly driven, and motivated by learning and taking on new challenges. We are looking for someone solution-oriented, committed, and positive, who contributes to a great work atmosphere. Cross-functional collaboration is something you both value and have experience with.

WHO ARE WE?

As a consultant at Sigma Industry West, you get the best of both worlds: the variety and development of consulting – with the security of a stable, long-term employer. We provide cutting-edge expertise in areas like Product Development, UX & Design, PLM, Industrial IT, Production Technology, and Project Management. Your assignment may be at the client site or from our vibrant in-house office located in the heart of Lindholmen Science Park.

We believe in doing things together and value a healthy mix of work and fun – from afterworks, events, and workouts to ski trips and inspirational talks. We’ve taken many exciting trips together and just recently returned from South Africa(!) where we celebrated our 10th anniversary as a consultancy firm.

Competence development has always been a priority for us. In addition to learning in your assignments and various technical trainings, we offer internal programs for personal growth.

We also believe that autonomy, involvement, and influence are key to achieving your personal goals. Our employees have chosen us because we share this view on career, life, and development. To us, who you are is just as important as what you do. Our ambition is to help you grow and evolve into something great – together with our clients.

SIGMA GROUP

As part of Sigma Group, we offer the best of both worlds: entrepreneurial spirit and long-term stability.

We’re the smaller company within the larger Sigma network – a group of companies with specialized expertise across different engineering fields. Today, we are over 5,000 employees in 14 countries, making us Sweden’s largest privately owned consulting group.

We review applications ona na ongoing basis. We are looking forward to your application!