Postdoc Healthy Joints Multiscale Modeling of in Vivo Knee Loading

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft); Delft; On-site; EUR 1,400 - 2,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working week

Education and training opportunities

Leave and pension benefits

Job summary

TU Delft is seeking a part-time postdoctoral researcher to advance multiscale musculoskeletal modeling for OA and related musculoskeletal health research. You will refine in vivo pathomechanics models, process biomechanics data, and collaborate across a broad team of clinicians and engineers.

The role focuses on sustaining a research line beyond the Healthy Joints project, with opportunities to co-develop proposals and secure funding in a multidisciplinary setting at Delft University of

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant engineering or robotics field.
• Strong interest in multiscale musculoskeletal modeling and human movement.
• Experience with motion capture data and gait data.
• Advanced programming and modeling skills (Python, OpenSim).
• Able to manage multi-site projects and communicate effectively.
• Fluent in Dutch and English; strong scientific writing.
• Track record of grant acquisition and dissemination.

Responsibilities

• Develop/refine multiscale musculoskeletal models.
• Analyze biomechanics and imaging data.
• Support translation and dissemination activities.
• Supervise Masters and PhD students.
• Write proposals to secure funding.
• Collaborate across TU Delft and partner institutions.

Skills

Multiscale modeling

Gait analysis

Algorithm development

Data analysis

Project management

Scientific writing

Grant acquisition

Dutch & English fluency

Education

PhD in Biomechanical/Biomedical Engineering, Computer Vision, Robotics or related

Tools

Python

OpenSim

Job description

Are you looking to make a positive impact on people’s health and quality of life? Do you have the skills and desire to shape the future of multiscale musculoskeletal modeling for human health?

Job description

Healthy joints are essential for mobility, independence and quality of life. Yet osteoarthritis (OA) is rapidly becoming one of the largest chronic health challenges in the Netherlands and worldwide. The Convergence Health & Technology ‘Healthy Joints’ Flagship brings together a consortium from TU Delft, Erasmus MC, and Erasmus University Rotterdam to better understand OA and its progression. We are a large team of clinicians, engineers, data scientists, imaging specialists and more, and we are working together to improve prevention, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment for individuals with OA. Our multi-scale approach investigates joint health and disease at the cellular-, tissue-, joint-, whole person-, and societal-levels.

The Biomechanical engineering department at TU Delft is seeking a talented and motivated part‑time postdoctoral researcher to join our team in a fixed‑term position for the final year of the Healthy Joints project. You would be joining the work package focused on “Multiscale modeling pathomechanics of joint and tissue load In vivo”. In this role, you would support the team in continuing to build and refine existing multiscale musculoskeletal models and apply these models to evaluate cartilage stress in individuals with OA. This will include tasks like developing or refining algorithms, processing and analyzing biomechanics and imaging data, supporting translation and dissemination activities, and supervising masters and PhD students. Your primary focus would be to work strategically to ensure the sustainability of this research line beyond the Healthy Joints project, working together with the team to write proposals and apply for funding.

Job requirements

We are looking for an ambitious, independent, and collaborative postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in multiscale musculoskeletal modeling, who is motivated to build an independent research line that extends the work of Healthy Joints.

Required qualifications

• A PhD in Biomechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Vision, Robotics, or a related discipline
• A strong curiosity for human movement analysis and multiscale musculoskeletal modeling
• Experience with optical motion capture data collection, processing, modeling, and analysis, preferably with clinical/experimental gait data in musculoskeletal populations
• Advanced skills in algorithm development, data analysis, and computational modeling (Python, OpenSim)
• Excellent project management and communication skills to manage a multi-site project across academic and industry partners
• Works independently yet thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team
• Fluent in Dutch and English
• Persuasive scientific writing
• Excellent track record in acquiring grants within an academic or industry setting
• Demonstrated track record in knowledge dissemination (publications in top tier scientific journals, presentations at international conferences) in biomechanics, osteoarthritis, or a related field

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the‑art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well‑being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year. Temporarily with a posibility for extension.
• A job of 8-14 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about this position please contact Ajay Seth ([e-mail]).