The Department of Human Movement Sciences is offering a three-year government-funded PhD studentship in the framework of the EU project ‘ESTAR17213 "XPATCH"’.
 
The fast-growing market of wearables helps users to live healthier by monitoring physical parameters, such as steps, body temperature, etc. However, current wearables do not measure any biochemical parameters that could be used to improve health and wellness. Sweat contains a wealth of biochemical information, and this is the focus of this project. The accuracy and potential of a small skin sensor that measures sweat rate and concentration of electrolytes, lactate and ammonia in sweat during exercise will be investigated using human participants. The work will be performed in a consortium with Xsensio (Switzerland), OmegaLambdaTec (Germany), R-DAS (Slovakia) and the Fraunhofer institute (Germany). 
 
The PhD-student will closely work with researchers and professionals from the participating institutes with the goal to evaluate the performance of the Xpatch prototype sensor in validation studies in athletes (human healthy volunteers). More in particular, the Xpatch analytical performance, sensitivity, specificity and reliability of the technology components under various physical conditions and user-friendliness will be investigated.

• A completed MSc degree in the field of human movement sciences, with background in exercise or thermal physiology;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Good writing skills;
• Willingness to work 3 months for collaborate research in Germany/Switzerland;
• Excellent command of the Dutch Language;
• Good command of the English Language;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

The appointment will be initially for a period of 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it can be extended for 2 years (the total duration is 3 years) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance to courses and (international) meetings. PhD students are also expected to assist in teaching undergraduates.
You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl like:
• remuneration of  8,3% end-of-year bonus and  8% holiday allowance
• solid pension scheme (ABP);
• a minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• generous contribution (65%) commuting allowance based on public transport; 
   
The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and amounts € 2588,- gross per month in the first year, up to € 2840,- in the third year (salary scale 85) based on a full-time employment.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is a leading, innovative and growing university that is at the heart of society and actively contributes to new developments in teaching and research. Our university has ten faculties, and provides work for over 4,500 staff and scientific education for more than 23,000 students.

http://www.vu.nl/en/index.asp

The Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences (FBM) at VU University Amsterdam is unique in the wide field of behavioural and health sciences for combining the disciplines of psychology, education theory and human movement sciences. The faculty contributes to a better understanding of the way behaviour and movement are caused and can be influenced so as to promote physical and mental health and improve performance.