The Department of Human Movement Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is offering a four-year PhD studentship, funded by the D.H. Heijne Foundation, on the effects of low-load-prolonged-stretching (LLPS) on morphological and mechanical properties of skeletal muscle and joint mobility in people with muscle contractures. In the clinic, different stretching regimes are used; high-load brief stretching (HLBS) and low-load prolonged stretching (LLPS). This project combines experiments using an animal model with clinical observational studies. The animal models will be applied to perform physiological studies regarding the effects of different stretching methods on muscle and tendon tissue properties. Prospective clinical studies will be performed to evaluate the effects at the functional level.

• a completed MSc degree in the field of Human Movement Sciences, or related areas
• expertise in biomechanics and muscle physiology;
• experience with (animal) experimental research involving muscle or joint mechanics is a pre
• experience in clinical research or a clinical professional background is a pre
• adequate programming skills in Matlab
• good writing skills
• good command of the English Language (mandatory)
• good communication skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A challenging position in a socially involved organisation. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,325 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €2,972 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment,
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus,
• solid pension scheme (ABP), contribution to commuting expenses,
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge.

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. And to be a university where personal education and societal involvement play a leading role. Where people from different disciplines and backgrounds work together on innovations and on generating new knowledge. Our teaching and research embrace the whole spectrum of science – from the humanities, the social sciences and the pure sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 24,500 students. We employ more than 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible, located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
Diversity is one of our university’s core values. We are an inclusive community, and we believe that diversity and international activities enhance the quality of education and research. We are always looking for people who can enhance diversity on our campus thanks to their background and experience.

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
The Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences focuses on the broad domain of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society, from healthy aging to e-health, from juvenile crime to dealing with depression, from training for top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We are unique in that we combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education.

Working at Behavioural and Movement Sciences means working in an ambitious organization that is characterized by an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. Our faculty offers tremendous scope for personal development. We employ more than 600 staff members, and we are home to around 3,400 students.