JOB DESCRIPTION

Challenge: What role do muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues play in maintaining the integrity and function of the knee in intact and total knee replacement patients?
Change: We aim to understand the mechanical function and behavior of knee joint soft tissue through robot-mediated human and cadaver experiments combined with physics-based computer models.
Impact: Evaluate knee joint laxity and then optimize surgery and treatment to reduce laxity while permitting natural range of motion.
We are seeking a PhD researcher for a 4-year contract to advance computational models of the human knee based on MRI imaging and robot sensing and manipulation. The aim is to evaluate knee joint laxity pre- and post-operatively through model-based estimates and kinematic and force measurements from a collaborative robot. By understanding the soft-tissue mechanisms at play in the knee we can use models to inform and optimize physical therapy and surgical planning. You will design healthy-subject and cadaver experimental studies with instrumented implants to test and validate model-based estimates of soft-tissue loading. Together with a fellow PhD in robotics, you will develop subject-specific tissue loading maps that describe how the structures in the knee are loaded during robot-assisted therapeutic exercises and gait.
Your project is funded by an Open Technology Programme grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) entitled “Biomechanics-aware real-time robotics for intelligent assistance of knee surgery and rehabilitation.”
You will be a member of the Computational Biomechanics Lab in BioMechanical Engineering and the Human-Robot Collaboration lab in Cognitive Robotics. You will be supervised by associate professor Ajay Seth and assistant professor Luka Peternel and work with BSc, MSc students and other PhD candidates in their research groups and collaborations with other departments at TU Delft, Erasmus MC and Leiden UMC..
Opportunities for growing your academic career will be available, such as mentoring BSc/MSc Students, conference presentations, networking, and teaching.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

You should have:

• An MSc in engineering or similar discipline by the start date of the position.
• Experience with (bio)mechanical modeling and computer simulation.
• Proficiency with at least one programming language (e.g., C++, Python, Matlab, etc.).
• Experience with collecting and processing experimental data of human movement.
• A deep curiosity for how biological systems and structures function.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.

The following aspects will help you stand out:

• Thriving in multidisciplinary environments.
• Creativity and ambition to conduct cutting-edge research.
• Self-motivation.
• Curiosity-driven working attitude.
• Knowledge of biomechanical modeling, image segmentation, vision-based motion capture, machine learning, and control systems.
• Experience with OpenSim model creation and simulation.

Keep in mind that this describes the background we imagine would best fit the role. Even if you do not meet all the requirements and feel that you are up for the task, we absolutely want to see your application! The PhD process is a learning experience.

Please refer the Job description for details