PhD Position Understanding the Effect of Patient Diversity on the effectiveness of Robotic Motor learning

Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

Updated: about 1 year ago

Deadline: 31 Jan 2023

Robotic devices provide new possibilities for understanding and accelerating motor (re)learning. For example, robotic strategies that haptically reduce or augment/promote movement errors have been developed to enhance motor learning and neurorehabilitation. However, investigation of new haptic training methods yielded inconclusive results regarding their effectiveness to enhance motor learning. This probably has to do with the different motor tasks and haptic methods used, and especially, the diversity in participants’ abilities and characteristics.

Within this project, we aim to study the role of individual characteristics of the participants (evaluated through qualitative and quantitative measurements, e.g., personality traits, sex, cultural background, attitude towards robots, etc) and of the tasks play on the effectiveness of haptic training methods. You will perform a systematic analysis of the relative benefits of novel training strategies that assist/challenge the trainees based on the characteristics of individual trainees.

You will then develop novel training methods that adapt to and account for the trainee’s diversity to seamlessly interact with participants in more naturalistic manners that enhance training effectiveness by delivering an engaging and fulfilling experience.

About Convergence
The pressing and complex social challenges of our time call for convergence; crossing boundaries between institutions and disciplines to create new perspectives and solutions. For this reason, TU Delft, Erasmus MC and Erasmus University Rotterdam are joining forces in Convergence. Within the convergence theme Health & Technology we form new frameworks that promote scientific discoveries and technological innovation in health and healthcare. We do this by working on groundbreaking research and innovation bundled in 10 international leading research flagships.

The Convergence Human Mobility Center (CHMC) brings together technicians, clinical experts, socio-medical researchers, patients and industrial partners. Together we will build on technology-based interventions for minimally supervised motor rehabilitation at home and under minimal supervision of a therapist in the rehabilitation center. Motion sensors inform patients and their therapists about recovery and progress of treatment. Home exercise will be supported by easy-to-use robots with challenging (virtual) exercise programs tailored to the patient. These developments are emphatically done in collaboration with vulnerable groups so that they too benefit fully from this new form of rehabilitation. The future impact goes beyond the stroke population and will include diseases like multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease and osteoarthritis.

You are a highly motivated candidate with a MSC degree in Robotics, Systems and Control, human factors, biomedical engineering, computer science, or related areas.

Further you have:

affinity with complex topics;
open-mindedness and motivation to embark on interdisciplinary research;
affinity with teaching and supervising students;
solid programming skills;
ability to take initiative;
proficient in verbal and written English.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of 3mE carries out pioneering research, leading to new fundamental insights and challenging applications in the field of mechanical engineering. From large-scale energy storage, medical instruments, control technology and robotics to smart materials, nanoscale structures and autonomous ships. The foundations and results of this research are reflected in outstanding, contemporary education, inspiring students and PhD candidates to become socially engaged and responsible engineers and scientists. The faculty of 3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with an international scope and high-tech lab facilities. Research and education focus on the design, manufacture, application and modification of products, materials, processes and mechanical devices, contributing to the development and growth of a sustainable society, as well as prosperity and welfare.

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

For more information about this position please contact:

- Dr. Laura Marchal-Crespo, project supervisor, [email protected] , 0634188350,
- Prof. Jane Cramm, project supervisor, [email protected] , 0619693262
- Prof. Dr. Gerard Ribbers, program leader: [email protected] , 0615300501
- Dr. Agaath Sluijter MHBA, program manager, [email protected] , 0621804367

Please send your application for this position, by January 31th 2023 to [email protected] together with:

a letter of motivation explaining why you are the right candidate for this project, and a brief description of how you plan to contribute to this project (no more than 2 pages).
A detailed CV, including a list of academic publications (if any), and a list of projects you have worked on with brief descriptions of your contributions.
A complete record of Bachelor and Master courses (including grades).
Your Master Thesis (at least as draft).
The names and contact addresses of two or three references.

For more information about this vacancy, please visit the Convergence website.