Are you fascinated by how exoskeletons can assist persons with spinal cord injury to walk again? Are you passionate about developing novel control algorithms to improve the stability of exoskeletons?

The Department of Biomechancial Engineering, University of Twente, is looking for a 4-year PhD candidate on a project to improve the stability, versatility and speed of walking for people with a spinal cord injury wearing an exoskeleton.

This PhD position will give you a unique opportunity to work on the intersection between control, human-machine interaction, wearable robotics and clinical application and to develop next generation control algorithm for exoskeletons to effectively assist balance control during walking. These control algorithms should allow persons with spinal cord injury to walk in exoskeletons without using crutches. You will develop (model-based) algorithms to mimic human balance strategies, implement these algorithms in the available exoskeletons (e.g. Symbitron exoskeleton) and evaluate the effectiveness of these algorithms.

The research will be embedded in a large national program on wearable robotics that started in the mid of 2018 and aims to develop new key-enabling technologies for wearable robotics. This will develop wearable robots to augment, support or supplement human physical capabilities with applications in healthcare and industry. This research will make extensive use of the unique facilities available in the new established Wearable Robotics lab at the University of Twente and the clinical testing facilities at the Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen.

The position at the University of Twente is suited for you if:

• you are a highly motivated young scientist with a master degree in engineering (i.e. biomedical, mechanical, computer, or electronic), physics or related fields;
• you have obtained your master degree by September 2019;
• you have a strong background in control engineering and mathematics;
• you possess excellent skills and practical experience in one or more of the following research areas: biomechanics, system dynamics & control, and robotics;
• you have strong programming skills including C++, Python, and MATLAB programming/scripting packages;
• you are an excellent teammate who enjoys collaborating in a multi-disciplinary team;
• you have an excellent command of written and spoken English.

Applications should include the following documents:

• A cover letter carefully describing your research interests/goals and why you want to apply for this position;
• A detailed CV with a publication list and including contact information for at least two academic references;
• Transcripts from your Bachelors and/or Masters degrees.

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button below and upload the above mentioned document until June 30, 2019. The job interviews are planned on July 11, 2019 in the afternoon. If you are not available on this date, please indicate this in your application letter.

For more information on the open position you can contact:

Associate Professor Edwin van Asseldonk

Mail: e.h.f.vanasseldonk@utwente.nl,

Phone: +31534892446.

We offer a very challenging full time position in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment.

• We provide a stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities.
• We offer you a full time four-year position with a one-year probation period.
• The gross monthly salary starts with € 2325,- per month in the first year and increases to € 2972,- per month in the fourth year of your employment based on a full-time employment.
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A solid pension scheme.
• Minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment.
• Professional and personal development programs.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) is one of the five faculties of the University of Twente. ET combines Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. Our faculty has approximately 1800 bachelor and master students, 400 employees and 150 PhD candidates. The departments of the faculty cooperatively conduct the educational programmes and participate in interdisciplinary research projects, programmes and the research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute.