Two PhD positions biomechatronic design and control of a wearable exoskeleton

December 23, 2009

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Two PhD positions biomechatronic design and control of a wearable exoskeleton

GEZAMELIJKE UT/ TUD ADVERTENTIE

The University of Twente is an entrepreneurial research university. It was founded in 1961 and offers education and research in areas ranging from public policy studies and applied physics to biomedical technology. The University of Twente is the Netherlands’ only campus university.

TU Delft was founded in 1842 as the Royal Academy by King Willem II. It has been known as the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) since 1986.

Within the groups Biomechanical Engineering at both Universities we are looking for

Two PhD positions biomechatronic design and control of a wearable exoskeleton

Project

The University of Twente (UT) and Delft University of Technology (TUD) aim to develop a wearable exoskeleton to assist human walking. This development project is part of larger project named MindWalker that has been funded by the European Union.

The purpose of the MindWalker project is to conceive a system empowering lower limbs disabled people with walking abilities that let them perform their usual daily activities in the most autonomous and natural manner. Novel approaches to non-invasive Brain Computer Interfaces will be used in order to control a lower limbs orthosis enabling different types of gaits. Newly developed EEG bio-sensors will be applied to enable lightweight wearable EEG caps for everyday use.

The PhD position at the TUD will focus on the mechatronic design and testing of the wearable exoskeleton, with the focus on low-level control aimed at walking stability. The challenge is to keep it lightweight, comfortable and cosmetic acceptable, and autonomous.

The PhD position at the UT will focus on the high level control of the wearable exoskeleton including the user interaction, guaranteeing stability of walking and controllability by the user. In the first phase of the project extensive use will be made of previously lab bound LOPES robotic gait trainer to experiment with user interaction.

Both PhD students will collaborate closely with the other partners of the consortium that consists of European research institutes and business companies. Bachelor and master students will also be involved in the project and the candidate will have an important role in the daily supervision of these students. A modest contribution in the educational tasks will also be demanded.

Profile

We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic researchers with a master degree in Mechanical or Control Engineering or a closely related field, with outstanding results. A strong background in biomechanics and modeling of dynamical systems and control engineering is preferred. We seek for candidates with good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented environment. Fluency in English is a requirement. An interview and a scientific presentation will be part of the selection procedure.

Offer

We offer a scientific education on a multidisciplinary subject. The assignment is for 4 years, with a go/no-go assessment at the end of the first year. The candidates are expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through patents (if applicable), publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. Your starting salary will be € 2042,-,gross per month in the first year, leading up to € 2612, – gross per month in the last year, according to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. In addition, we offer our employees a broad package of secondary benefits.

Information and application

For more information, please contact:

Dr. H. van der Kooij (+31 53 484779 or h.vanderkooij@utwente.nl) and visit the website of biomechanical engineering at the UT www.bw.ctw.utwente.nl and TUD http://www.bmeche.tudelft.nl

To apply for any of these PhD positions, please send your application letter plus CV, list of three persons for reference, a list of publications (if applicable), and a summary of your M.Sc thesis before 15 January, 2010, to: personeelszaken@ctw.utwente.nl, with reference to vacancy number 09/234. Please indicate your preference for the UT or TUD project.

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Scholarship