Vacature - PhD-position Human Movement Sciences

The successful applicant will be appointed as a PhD student within a project entitled “Movement
strategy, variability and health risk assessment in manual work”. You will study the impact of task
variability in terms of frequency, load and posture on performance and on potential factors (e.g.
muscle fatigue and subjective discomfort) preceding the development of musculoskeletal disorders
in the upper extremity. This study will require biomechanical and physiological evaluations of the
effects, both in the form of experiments and computer simulation.
You will design and conduct experiments, which will ultimately lead to a dissertation. Part of your
work will be to contribute to the Faculty's education program for 160 hours in the first and second
year of the project.

We are looking for highly motivated and creative candidates with a MSc in Human Movement
Sciences or related fields with specific interest in ergonomics. Preferentially, you have experience in
biomechanical modeling, experience in designing and performing experiments, experience in
muscle physiology as well as excellent writing and presentation skills in English.

The appointment will be initially for 18 months. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial
appointment it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years.
You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl
like
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge;
• remuneration of 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance;
• generous contribution (70%) commuting allowance based on public transport;
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance).

The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and amounts
€2.042,- gross per month in the first year up to €2.612,- in the fourth year (salary scale 85) based
on a full-time employment.

Come and join the Faculty of Human Movement Sciences of the VU university Amsterdam and TNO as
a PhD student within the project “Movement strategy, variability and health risk assessment in manual
work”.
The Faculty of Human Movement Sciences provides scientific education and performs research in
the field of human movement. The Faculty’s scientific research is conducted within the Research
Institute MOVE. MOVE covers both fundamental and applied research in human movement with a
strong integrative signature.

The Faculty has a strong collaboration with TNO. In the collaborative research center Body@Work,
the area of occupational health and ergonomics is addressed. This project is embedded within that
collaboration and will comprise fundamental research as well as a strong focus on application of
results in work safety regulations and work station design. In current methods to assess the health
risk of manual work the variability in work load and the relationship with work station design
parameters are minimally addressed.
This project involves two PhD projects aiming to fill in these gaps. Research questions concern (1)
the impact of variability on health risk precursors and performance, and (2) movement strategies as
related to work station design.

For additional information please contact: Prof. dr. H.E.J. Veeger
Phone number +31 (0)20 598 8480
E-mail: h.e.j.veeger@vu.nl
Website: www.move.vu.nl/members/dirk-jan-veeger/

Before 1 March 2012 applicants are requested to write a letter in which they describe their abilities
and motivation, accompanied by a curriculum vitae and one or two references. Written applications
should be sent to:
VU University Amsterdam
Faculty of Human Movement Sciences
Attn.: mrs. drs. O.M. Jukema
Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
It is also possible to apply by e-mail to: vacature.fbw@vu.nl
Please mention the vacancy number in the e-mail header or at the top of your letter and on the
envelope.