PhD Position in Experimental Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Modelling

Job description

Musculoskeletal disorders, affecting muscles, bones, joints, and associated tissues, are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Musculoskeletal models can be used for prevention and development of new treatments. Yet current models fail to capture diversity across age, sex, and genetic background.

Our ERC Starting Grant project, “Diversity Outside In”, aims to change this. We will develop an innovative methodology for generating musculoskeletal models that explicitly integrate demographic differences. By combining in-vivo measurements from large-scale human studies, cadaveric dissection for parameter verification, and a novel morphometric scaling approach, we will set a new standard for modelling the musculoskeletal system. These next-generation models will allow us to explore how diversity affects movement and musculoskeletal loading, guiding more equitable rehabilitation, prevention, and performance programs.

The PhD candidate will pioneer a unique large-scale experimental data collection pipeline to obtain musculoskeletal model parameters from human participants and anatomical specimens.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and implementing experiments that integrate MRI, Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), Ultrasound, muscle stimulation, electromyography (EMG), and motion capture.

• Conducting human anatomical specimen dissection studies to obtain in-vitro data for model verification (Erasmus MC).

• Organizing and managing large-scale human participant studies, including recruitment and coordination.

• Communicating with participants in Dutch.

• Collaborating with interdisciplinary experts (biomechanics, anatomy, medical imaging, clinical sciences).

• Analyzing and integrating complex experimental datasets to support the development of accurate, demographically inclusive musculoskeletal models.

This PhD is ideally suited to a candidate who enjoys hands-on experimental work, working with people, and combining cutting-edge measurement technologies with computational modelling.

We are looking for an ambitious and motivated PhD candidate who is excited to bridge experimental biomechanics, anatomy, and computational modelling.

Job requirements

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Biomechanical Engineering, biomedical engineering, technical medicine, or a related field.

• Strong interest in musculoskeletal modelling, human experimentation, and medical imaging.

• Solid programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for data analysis and model development.

• Willingness and ability to conduct cadaveric dissection studies.

• Excellent organizational and communication skills, essential for managing large-scale human studies.

• Basic spoken Dutch  to communicate with participants.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

• Good command of English (written and spoken).

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

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! 

Faculty Mechanical Engineering 

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. 

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. 

Conditions of employment

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 Promovendus gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  

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 a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

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

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Eline van der Kruk, via e.vanderkruk@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 24 October 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter and two references (at least one academic)

You can address your application to Eline van der Kruk.

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. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.