If you are passionate about improving the usability of medical devices using biomechanical optimization and contributing to cutting-edge research, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
Job description
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our team on the SESAME (Smart Electrical Stimulation and Musculoskeletal re-Education following injury) project. In this PhD research, you will play a crucial role in improving the usability and implementation of the BioStim device, a Functional Electrical Stimulation wearable, for clinicians and patients in ACL rehabilitation. You will be optimizing the BioStim device by applying synthetic data generation techniques using computational musculoskeletal modelling and validating the BioStim device through biomechanical research (musculoskeletal simulations, human motion capture). You will also lead a clinical study with ACL patients at the KNVB’s medical facility in Zeist, NL.
Your role:
- Conduct a usability study, collect human motion capture data, and generate specifications for ongoing development
- Collaborate with the project team to advance the existing prototypes of the BioStim device in areas of hardware and machine learning
- Generate synthetic data by computational musculoskeletal modelling
- Validating the optimized BioStim device through a clinical study conducted at the KNVB’s medical facility in Zeist, NL.
- Study the neuromechanical fundamentals underling the efficacy of FES feedback.
This is 4 year PhD position based at TU Delft, working closely with the machine learning engineers at Biomex (London, UK), embedded software engineers from the AppBakkers (NL), and the medical staff at the KNVB’s medical facility in Zeist, NL. The successful candidate will collaborate with a team of professionals dedicated to advancing ACL rehabilitation through the development of user-friendly medical devices.
You will become a team member of the BODIES research group (Dr. Eline van der Kruk), an inspiring group of peers with plenty of space for personal development.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Biomechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, and/or MATLAB
- Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation.
- Knowledge on computational musculoskeletal modelling and simulation techniques.
- Prior experience in motion capture systems is desirable.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills to coordinate with patients, medical staff, and project team members effectively.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks within project timelines.
- Excellent Oral Dutch communication skills is a plus (for patient interaction).
Nice to have:
- Knowledge of ethical and regulatory requirements for conducting clinical studies
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements related to medical device development.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the 3mE faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.
3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in 3mE’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Eline van der Kruk, Assistant Professor, e.vanderkruk@tudelft.nl.
For information about the application procedure, please contact Linda Ruijters, HR Advisor, recruitment-3me@tudelft.nl.
Starting date of the PhD position is 1 November 2023.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply by 27 August 2023 via the application button and upload:
- Curriculum vitae.
- Motivation letter highlighting your relevant research skills and motivation for doing this PhD project.
- Diplomas and transcripts of your BSc. and MSc. studies, including a certified list of grades.
- Name and contact details of two academic referees (preferably of the applicant’s MSc thesis supervisor).
Please note: - A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
FACULTY/DEPARTMENT
Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
JOB TYPE
PhD
SCIENTIFIC FIELD
Engineering
HOURS PER WEEK
38-40
SALARY
€ 2.541,00 – € 3.247,00
DESIRED LEVEL OF EDUCATION
University graduate
VACANCY NUMBER