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Understanding the role of internal movement errors in falling using a blended experimental and computational approach
The Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group (Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven) is a multidisciplinary team of researchers aiming at understanding how neuro-musculoskeletal constraints shape movement and how tissue loading shapes adaptive processes. To this aim, we use a blended experimental and computational approach.
We offer a full-time PhD position to investigate the role of internal movement errors in falling. To avoid falling, your nervous system accounts for instability by predicting the outcome of your movements and closely monitors the execution of the planned movement. One third of older adults fall each year, predominantly because of incorrect weight shifts during walking or stepping. Yet, researchers mostly investigate circumstances of falling due to external perturbations, e.g. slips and trips. The aim of this project is to use a blended experimental and computational approach to investigate the effect of internal errors on instability of step initiation. We will combine a novel experimental approach that mimics internal errors with computer models that allow us to study the effect of isolated internal errors (e.g. sensory noise) on step initiation.
Profile
Offer
We offer the candidate a full-time employment for one year, which will be extended to four years upon positive evaluation, in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. It is highly focused on inter- and multidisciplinary research.
Interested?
For more details and to apply, go to https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/55526580
Friedl De Groote
friedl.degroote@kuleuven.be
The Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group (Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven) is a multidisciplinary team of researchers aiming at understanding how neuro-musculoskeletal constraints shape movement and how tissue loading shapes adaptive processes. To this aim, we use a blended experimental and computational approach.
We offer a full-time PhD position to investigate the role of internal movement errors in falling. To avoid falling, your nervous system accounts for instability by predicting the outcome of your movements and closely monitors the execution of the planned movement. One third of older adults fall each year, predominantly because of incorrect weight shifts during walking or stepping. Yet, researchers mostly investigate circumstances of falling due to external perturbations, e.g. slips and trips. The aim of this project is to use a blended experimental and computational approach to investigate the effect of internal errors on instability of step initiation. We will combine a novel experimental approach that mimics internal errors with computer models that allow us to study the effect of isolated internal errors (e.g. sensory noise) on step initiation.
Profile
- You have earned a Master’s degree in (Biomedical) Engineering or Movement Sciences.
- You have experience with programming (including matlab) and experimental assessment of human movement.
- You are able to take on responsibilities and to work independently.
- You are interested in teaching courses and supervising master theses in the domain of biomechanics.
- You have good communication skills and you are fluent in English
Offer
We offer the candidate a full-time employment for one year, which will be extended to four years upon positive evaluation, in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. It is highly focused on inter- and multidisciplinary research.
Interested?
For more details and to apply, go to https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/55526580
Friedl De Groote
friedl.degroote@kuleuven.be