TU Delft, the Netherlands, invites applications for a fully funded Research Position to investigate human seat interaction in the context of automated driving. The candidate will employ 3D body motion capture in moving-base driving simulators and experimental vehicles, to develop full body 3D neuromuscular control models predicting body motion and comfort. 

Automated driving holds great promise to provide safe and sustainable transport. Passenger cars will soon achieve safety levels allowing users to take their eyes off the road, freeing up time for other activities. This calls for new vehicle interiors and seating configurations facilitating non-driving tasks. Novel insights and models of human postural stabilization will be essential to effectively design such interiors and seating systems.

APPROACH

Vehicle experiments will be performed to investigate differences in postural dynamics between active drivers anticipating vehicle motion, and users of automated vehicles performing non-driving tasks with their eyes off the road. Experiments will focus on lateral and anterior-posterior body stabilization in relation to steering, acceleration and braking.

A moving base driving simulator will be used for further systematic assessment including other motion directions and a wider frequency range.

Seat geometry and compliance will be varied aiming for designs minimizing postural effort and minimizing body and head motion to enhance motion comfort.

Existing biomechanical human body models and models of postural stabilization will be integrated, validated and enhanced. These models will integrate visual, vestibular, and muscle spindle feedback building upon available models and data on the neck, the lumbar spine and the full body.

Experiments and seat design studies will be jointly performed with a major car maker. Modelling of sensory integration and comfort assessment will be supported by other researchers.

We offer a 2 year full time position, starting between now and September 2019, with scope for tenure, where we expect an active contribution in grant proposal writing. 

We are seeking a researcher with a strong interest in performing cutting-edge research in a very active and exciting research area.
Applicants shall have a MSc degree in Human Movement Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, or comparable studies. Applicants preferably have (or will soon obtain) a relevant PhD or have comparable experience evidenced by a solid publication record.

In particular we value experience in:

1. Biomechanical testing (motion capture, EMG)
2. Biomechanical modelling (multibody, FE, muscle modelling, MADYMO, LS-Dyna, OpenSim)
3. Postural stabilization
4. System identification
5. Frequency domain analysis
6. Automotive, Comfort, Human factors.  

Fixed-term contract: 2 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.

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

The 3mE Faculty trains committed engineering students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers in groundbreaking scientific research in the fields of mechanical, maritime and materials engineering. 3mE is the epitome of a dynamic, innovative faculty, with a European scope that contributes demonstrable economic and social benefits. 

The Cognitive Robotics department within the 3mE Faculty aims to develop intelligent robots and vehicles that will advance mobility, productivity and quality of life. Its mission is to bring robotic solutions to human-inhabited environments, focusing on research in the areas of machine perception, motion planning and control, machine learning, automatic control and interaction. The department combines fundamental research with work on physical demonstrators in areas such as self-driving vehicles, collaborative industrial robots, mobile manipulators and haptic interfaces. Collaborations exist with cross-faculty institutes TU Delft Robotics Institute and TU Delft Transport Institute), the national robotic ecosystem (RoboValley, Holland Robotics) and international industry and academia. For more information, see Cognitive Robotics (CoR).

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