PhD position in measuring tissue loading in sports and daily life

Job title:

PhD position in measuring tissue loading in sports and daily life

Company:

Maastricht University

Job description

Job Description
The goal of this research is to develop new methods to determine the mechanical load on common injury sites (e.g., anterior cruciate ligament, Achilles tendon) during sports, rehab and daily living activities with wearable sensors. We aim to achieve this by combining wearable sensors with musculoskeletal models and 3D motion analysis. In the first phase of the research, you will collect 3D motion, force, EMG, ultrasound, and sensor data in the lab during various sports movements. This data will be used to determine (personalized) tissue loading (e.g., through musculoskeletal models). Next, the accuracy of estimating this load using wearable sensor data will be evaluated. In the second phase, the developed methods will also be applied in sports injury rehabilitation to determine whether they are more effective than current methods. You will also collaborate with various companies to implement the developed methods directly in (sports) practice.You will be responsible for

• Data collection (3D motion, force, EMG, ultrasound, and sensor data)
• Data analysis of the same data using musculoskeletal modelling
• Interpretation of the data
• Statistical evaluation of the developed model

Requirements

• You hold a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Human Movement Sciences, or Engineering (or equivalent). Final-year students are also encouraged to apply.
• Strong programming skills, and preferably experience with OpenSim (https://simtk.org/projects/opensim/) and related data collection methodologies (e.g., motion capture) as well as related data science methods.
• Strong problem-solving skills, flexibility, organizational capacity, and resilience.
• A strong interest in scientific research in sports and an affinity for sports.
• Excellent communication skills and good command of English, both spoken and written.
• A team player with a collegial attitude.
• Open to transparent research and open science.
• Strong academic results.
• Proficiency in Dutch or willingness to learn the language is a plus.

What we offer
As PhD position in measuring tissue loading in sports and daily life at Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2901,00 and €3707,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as ‘acknowledge and appreciate’.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, .Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.for more information about UM.Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total.In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+). FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+).FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of and master’s programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in ourDepartmentDepartment of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, NUTRIM, Maastricht University NUTRIM is one of six research schools within Maastricht UMC+. It conducts research in the areas of nutrition, exercise, and metabolism. The Human Movement Sciences research group focuses on neuromechanics and energetics of movement, sports injury prevention and performance enhancement, as well as the health effects of physical activity.You will work under the supervision of Assistant Professor Bas Van Hooren and Professor Kenneth Meijer.Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Bas Van Hooren at for more information.Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD position in measuring tissue loading in sports and daily life? Apply now, no later than June 8, 2025, for this position. The first interviews take place on a to be determined data.An orientation day can be part of the application procedure.The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.Job Type: AcademicFaculty/Service Center: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life SciencesClosing date: 8-06-2025FTE min: 1,0FTE max: 1,0Salary min: €2901,00Salary max: €3707,00ID job: 2115Job Type: AcademicFaculty/Service Center: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life SciencesClosing date: 8-06-2025FTE min: 1,0FTE max: 1,0Salary min: €2901,00Salary max: €3707,00ID job: 2115

Expected salary

€2901 per month

Location

Maastricht, Limburg

Job date

Wed, 28 May 2025 02:45:54 GMT

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