We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:
1. A master's degree in Physiotherapy, Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline
2. Strong interest in human movement analysis, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal health
3. Interest in clinical research and patient-oriented studies
4. Experience with motion analysis, wearable technologies, biomechanical data processing, or musculoskeletal modeling is an asset
5. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
6. Excellent organizational and communication skills
7. Ability to work independently while thriving in a multidisciplinary team environment
8. Good written and spoken English, basic knowledge of dutch
You will investigate the relationship between movement patterns, joint loading, and cartilage health in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
The project combines:
9. Laboratory-based motion analysis
10. Wearable sensor technology
11. Medical imaging
12. Clinical outcome measures
13. Musculoskeletal modeling
to better understand how movement influences disease progression and how biomechanical interventions can be optimized.
As a PhD researcher within OA-CONNECT, you will:
14. Recruit and assess participants with knee osteoarthritis
15. Conduct biomechanical measurements using motion capture, force plates, wearable sensors, and clinical assessments
16. Collect and manage clinical, functional, and imaging data
17. Analyze movement patterns and joint loading during daily activities and therapeutic interventions
18. Apply and further develop musculoskeletal modeling approaches to estimate tissue loading
19. Contribute to longitudinal studies investigating disease progression and treatment response
20. Collaborate closely with clinicians, physiotherapists, engineers, and basic scientists
21. Disseminate findings through scientific publications, conference presentations, and outreach activities
22. Contribute to an open, supportive, and collaborative research environment
You will work under the supervision of Ilse Jonkers and collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team of researchers within the OA-CONNECT consortium.
Are you a motivated recent graduate with a master's degree in Physiotherapy, Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field? Are you interested in understanding how movement patterns influence joint health and contribute to the development and progression of osteoarthritis?Join the ERC-funded OA-CONNECT project, where we investigate a fundamental and unresolved question: why does mechanical loading—normally essential for cartilage health—become harmful in osteoarthritis (OA)? Project context OA-CONNECT is a multidisciplinary research program that connects joint biomechanics to cellular processes through a multiscale approach. By integrating in vitro, in silico, and in vivo methodologies, we aim to understand how mechanical signals experienced during daily activities influence cartilage health and degeneration. This PhD project focuses on the human and clinical component of OA-CONNECT. Through advanced movement analysis, medical imaging, and longitudinal patient monitoring, we aim to identify movement-related factors that contribute to cartilage degeneration and treatment response in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
23. A fully funded 4-year PhD position within a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant project
24. The opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research at the interface of biomechanics, clinical research, and osteoarthritis
25. Access to state-of-the-art movement analysis laboratories, imaging facilities, and clinical cohorts
26. An interdisciplinary and international research environment
27. Extensive opportunities for scientific training, international collaboration, conference participation, and career development
At the end of the first year, a formal evaluation will take place, which is decisive for the continuation of funding for the remaining three years.
Candidates are expected to apply for a personal PhD fellowship (FWO) during their first year, with institutional support.