PhD position: Modelling the energetics of muscle contraction

23 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)

Research Field

Medical sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

11 Feb 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Conversion of chemical energy into mechanical energy in muscle tissue is the fundamental process that allows humans and other animals to move. Metabolic energy expenditure is hypothesized to play a key role in motor control, and is a critical variable in evaluating the design of assistive devices in sports and pathology. The aim of this project is to advance our understanding of the relationship between metabolic energy expenditure and mechanical behavior, in order to address questions related to the role of metabolic energy expenditure in the design and control of the motor system. We will use a blended experimental and simulation approach to study this relationship and address these questions. In doing so, this project will bridge the gap between fundamental research at the single muscle level and more applied research in whole organisms.

Your duties
You will work in the department of human movement sciences and will collaborate with several PhD students, postdocs and staff members within the department, from both the biomechanics group and the physiology group. You will be working on a combination of modelling and experimentation, and your project will inform and strengthen other projects, and vice versa. During your PhD you will combine an experimental approach – measuring both biomechanical and physiological measures obtained by a wide array of methodologies – with a modelling approach in which you will do forward dynamics simulations and/or optimal control to model human muscles and movements. Your studies should result in scientific publications, and will be presented at international conferences. In addition, there will be the opportunity to gain educational experience (optional) and take courses for professional and personal development. At the end of this four-year program you will write your research findings in a PhD thesis and defend it. The project will be supervised by Dr. Koen Lemaire, Dr. Ritchie Goulding and Prof. dr. Jaap van Dieen. Other collaborators include Dr. Dinant Kistemaker and Dr. Maarten Afschrift.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• MSc. in movement sciences or related field, such as kinesiology, biology, or biomedical/(bio)mechanical engineering
• you have affinity with both empirical science and computer simulations
• you have affinity with both mechanics and physiology/biology
• you have good communication skills and are fluent in English, both verbally and in writing
• comfortable with programming in Matlab and/or Python

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Additional Information
Benefits

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts € 2.770,00 (gross) per month during the first year and increases to € 3.539,00 per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE. The intended start date is 1st of April 2024.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended to a total duration of 4 years (or 5 years 0.8 FTE part time).

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, for example:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Opportunities for further professional development (e.g., by taking additional courses, participating in workshops, seminars and conferences)
• Free access to the universities sports facilities and discount for courses and shows at the universities cultural centre

Additional comments

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload a single PDF that includes (1) a short (motivation) letter (not longer than 1 page), (2) your curriculum vitae (which lists two references that we can contact). Materials must be submitted by 11/2/2024. Interviews will take place in February or early March.

Submitting a diploma is part of the application process.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/336881/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Country

Netherlands

City

Amsterdam

Postal Code

1081BT

Street

Van der Boechorststraat 7

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/336881/phd-position-modelling-the-energetic…

Contact

City

Amsterdam

Website

http://www.vu.nl/

Street

De Boelelaan 1105

Postal Code

1081 HV

STATUS: EXPIRED