We are looking for four PhD candidates. Two of them are related to the applied project “Show your muscles: fitness & strength training” and the other two to the applied project “Breaking the high load - bad coordination multiplier in overhead sports injuries”. Both projects are closely connected and have positions available at the TU Delft and VU Amsterdam. 

I) PhD position in the project “Breaking the high load - bad coordination multiplier”, with the department of Biomechanical Engineering TU Delft as main working location, will focus on monitoring timing aspects and injury risk in elite youth tennis and baseball players. Sensory systems – integrated in clothing and equipment (e.g. the racket) – to directly and continuously assess motion timing during activity will be developed. These data, together with data of the electromyography of relevant muscles, will be linked to a platform that monitors athlete health status. Injury risk and aetiology in relation to the range of proper timing of body part motions will then be quantified using advanced (big) data science techniques.

II) PhD position in the project “Breaking the high load - bad coordination multiplier” will have the VUA as main working location, and focuses on the usability of sensory systems when returning to sport in case of upper extremity injuries, also in the study population of elite youth tennis players and baseball players. The sensory systems will be extended to feasible feedback systems that, together with electromyographical input, will be used in the rehabilitation after injury, in close cooperation with physical therapists, for successful return to sport. Again, proper timing of body part motions will have a central role in this project.

I) PhD position (TUD)
The candidate possesses a MSc degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (specialisation Sport Engineering) or Human Movement Sciences, or related discipline. The position requires experience with experimental research involving human subjects, preferably within a sports setting, even as experience in biomechanical modelling. Some experience with epidemiology, statistical modelling and handling / analysis of big data sets is advantageous as close collaboration with data scientists will be part of the project.

II) PhD position (VUA)
The candidate possesses an MSc degree Human Movement Science, Biomedical Engineering or related field of expertise, preferably combined with a degree in Physical Therapy or Manual Therapy.  Experience with research on human subjects is advantageous, even as experience with biomechanical modeling, electromyography and processing of such data.  

For these positions the candidate must be highly motivated and ambitious, while also having a keen interest in sports engineering or injury prevention applications. The candidate must require very good communication skills and be fluent in spoken and written English. Both positions include modest teaching duties. Candidates are expected to finish their project with a PhD thesis, and disseminate the results through publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and presentations at international conferences. As close cooperation between both PhD is required an assessment focusing on collaboration with the other candidate may be part of the selection procedure. 

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit http://www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. DirkJan Veeger, section head, phone: +31 (0)15-2789530, email: h.e.j.veeger@tudelft.nl. For information about the selectionprocedure, please contact Nathalie van Benthem, HR advisor, email: application-3mE@tudelft.nl.
Applications should include: a letter of motivation, a detailed CV and a specified indication of interest for one of the two positions and projects.
Please email your application by 30 April 2018 to Nathalie van Benthem, email: application-3mE@tudelft.nl. When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number 3mE18-28.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering - Department Biomechanical Engineering

The program “Citius, Altius, Sanius” aims to stimulate people of all performance levels to engage in physical activity through sports and fitness to improve their health and performance by providing informative and motivating information using advanced sensor and data science techniques. The program comprises six applied projects and three fundamental projects. Two of the six applied projects within the program arre entitled “Show your muscles: fitness & strength training” and “Breaking the high load - bad coordination multiplier in overhead sports injuries”.

“Show your muscles: fitness & strength training” concentrates on the reduction of injuries related with strength training through the presentation of adequate feedback on injury risk and training status.
“Breaking the high load - bad coordination multiplier in overhead sports injuries” concentrates on the relative timing of body part motions when hitting a ball in tennis and throwing a ball in baseball. This project’s objectives are to investigate the relationship between the timing of body part motions in tennis and baseball and the development of upper extremity injuries, and to investigate the contribution of applying the correct relative timing of body part motions to return to sport after an upper extremity injury.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/3me