Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Biomechanical Modelling and Wearable Robotics

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, RADlab in central Oxford, invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Biomechanical Modelling and Wearable Robotics. The appointment is funded by UKRI and fixed-term to 31 May 2028.

The successful candidate will develop computational models to guide the design of wearable devices and investigate how robotic assistance affects movement, muscle activity and joint loading.

Qualifications

• PhD near completion or completed in Engineering, Biomechanics, Robotics, or related field.
• Experience in musculoskeletal modelling or human movement simulation.
• Strong understanding of inverse dynamics and joint kinetics.
• Proficiency in modelling tools such as OpenSim/AnyBody and Python/MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Develop musculoskeletal models of human movement to predict muscle forces and joint loads.
• Simulate human-robot interaction to determine forces, torques and timing requirements.
• Use simulation and optimisation to guide actuator placement, device geometry and assistance strategies.
• Collaborate with experimental researchers to validate models against motion/force/EMG data and inform device designs.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

PhD near completion in Engineering/Biomechanics/Robotics

Tools

OpenSim

AnyBody

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Biomechanical Modelling and Wearable Robotics

central Oxford

We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join RADlab (www.radlab-oxford.com) at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford). The post is funded by UKRI and is fixed-term to 31st May 2028.

You will develop computational models to guide the design of wearable robots that deliver assistive forces and joint torques. The research will examine how robotic assistance affects human movement, muscle activity and joint loading, supporting the development of effective soft and hybrid wearable devices.

You will be responsible for:

• Developing musculoskeletal models of human movement to predict muscle forces, joint loads and the effects of wearable robotic assistance.
• Simulating human-robot interaction to determine the force, torque and timing requirements of assistive devices during relevant movements, including upper-body tasks and/or gait cycles.
• Using simulation and optimisation to guide actuator placement, device geometry and assistance strategies, accounting for the mechanical behaviour of soft actuators and their attachment to the body.
• Collaborating with experimental researchers to validate models against motion, force and, where available, EMG measurements, and to inform successive device designs.

You should possess:

• A PhD, or be near completion of a PhD, in Engineering, Biomechanics, Robotics, Computational Mechanics or a closely related discipline.
• Research experience in musculoskeletal modelling or the simulation of human movement, including upper-body biomechanics and/or gait analysis.
• A strong understanding of human movement mechanics, including inverse dynamics, muscle recruitment and the interpretation of joint forces and torques.
• Proficiency in relevant modelling tools, such as OpenSim, AnyBody or equivalent software, and in Python or MATLAB for numerical analysis and optimisation.
• Experience in wearable robotics, soft robotics, exoskeletons or closely related human-robot interaction research. Experience with rigid or hybrid exoskeletons is also relevant.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications appropriate to your career stage, strong communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet research milestones.

Experience in EMG processing, wearable sensor data analysis, assistive control strategies or finite-element modelling of soft devices and body interfaces would be advantageous.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof Antonio Elia Forte (email: [e-mail])

For more information about working at the Department, see

www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Modelling, Robotics, Wearable-Robotics, Exoskeleton, Simulation