You will conduct research on fall-resisting training with a focus on (loco)motor learning and biomechanics in older adults. The aim of this research is to gain important new insight into how falls in older adults can be prevented in a very specific and efficient way. Briefly, in the first phase of the project, you will develop, and assess the feasibility of, assessment and training protocols for proactive gait adaptability, gait robustness and reactive gait recovery on the Maastricht CAREN and Hasselt GRAIL systems. In the second phase of the project, a multi-centre randomised placebo-controlled trial will be conducted to assess and compare the effectiveness of these developed training protocols on fall-resisting skills in community-dwelling older adults.

You have obtained a master’s degree in rehabilitation science, movement science, biomedical science, (technical) medicine (or similar).

Final year students are also invited to apply.

• You have excellent communication skills and a good knowledge of English (spoken and written);
• Strong problem-solving skills, flexibility, organisational skills, and stress resistance;
• You have a strong interest in scientific research on older adults;
• You are collegial and can work well in a team;
• You are open to conducting transparent and open science;
• Experience with the target population is a plus;
• Experience with MOTEK technology/D-Flow or possession of other programming skills is a plus;
• You have achieved good academic results;
• A good knowledge of Dutch or a willingness to learn the language is a plus.

Fixed-term contract: 48 maanden.

This is a joint vacancy of Maastricht University and Hasselt University. For this position you will be appointed at Hasselt University for the first two years and at Maastricht University for the last two years.

The link to Hasselt University website: Hasselt University - Facts and Figures

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. 
For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, NUTRIM, Maastricht University en REVAL Universiteit Hasselt

You will start a joint PhD-trajectory, during which you are expected to work in Belgium (faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University) and in the Netherlands (research group Human Movement Sciences, NUTRIM, Maastricht University).
REVAL is an interdisciplinary and translational research group conducting research in the fields of pediatric, neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, biomechanics, health psychology, mental health and rehabilitation of internal disorders.
NUTRIM is one of the six graduate schools within Maastricht UMC+. Within NUTRIM, research takes place in the field of nutrition, exercise and metabolism. The Human Movement Sciences research group focuses on neuromechanics and energetics of movement and the health effects of physical activity.