Postdoc in Biomechanics: Optimization and AI in human movement - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The School of Engineering Sciences carries out a wide range of research at the international front line, from fundamental disciplines such as Physics and Mathematics, to Engineering Mechanics with applications such as Aeronautics and Vehicle Engineering. We also offer university degree programs in Engineering Physics, Vehicle Engineering, and 'Open entrance', as well as a number of international masters programmes.

KTH MoveAbility Lab, at the Department of Engineering Mechanics, is offering a postdoctoral position in Biomechanics, with a focus on optimization and AI in human movement. Our research focus is on technology to decode, predict and enhance human movement, with application in patients with motor disorders. The position is funded through a generous grant from the Promobilia Foundation.

Job description

The project will be carried out at the new KTH MoveAbility Lab, in collaboration with scientists in other disciplines at KTH as well as at Karolinska Institutet. Our research focus is on technology to decode, predict and enhance human movement, with application in patients with motor disorders. The aim of the project is to create numerical models that predict patients’ motor behavior and performance with respect to each person’s strength, range of motion, pain, sensory ability, etc, as well as how performance interacts with biosignals (e.g. muscle activity). Human movements can be predicted by computerized biomechanical models that identify a person’s motor control strategies and movement patterns, in relation to a person’s motor and sensory abilities. They can also be predicted through AI-based numerical tools, for example machine learning algorithms that are trained with empirical data, descriptive data and biosignals.  Application areas can be both in predictive modelling frameworks as well as in input to controllers of active assistive devices.

Your areas of responsibility will be create and develop both biomechanical model-based dynamic simulations and AI/machine learning models (i.e. without a biomechanical model) that decode the relationship between a patient’s motor and sensory ability, biosignals from portable/wearable sensors, and motor performance. The project will require both experiments on patients as well as rigorous numerical analyses. Further areas of responsibility are to report findings in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences, as well as to clinical research collaborators.

What we offer

• International workplace.
• A leading technical university that creates knowledge and expertise for a sustainable future.
• Here you get colleagues with high ambitions in an open, curious and dynamic environment.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate with a doctoral degree (PhD), completed in the last three years, in biomechanics with a strong computational focus, mathematics/optimization, computer science / AI, engineering physics, or other technical background of relevance for this research area, preferably with focus on dynamic simulations, optimization or machine learning. Besides the traditional academic merits, it is, other advantageous merits for this position include documented experience in human movement research and experimentation on human subjects.

Applicants must be strongly motivated for this research area. This position requires ability to work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team. Applicants should thus have a good level of cooperative and communicative abilities, as well as a good ability to communicate and write scientific reports in English.

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal competence and suitability.

Preferred qualifications

• Scientific skills.
• Educational ability.
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a particular focus on gender equality
• Cooperative skills.
• Independence.

Trade union representatives

You will find contact information to trade union representatives at KTH's webbpage.

Application

Log into KTH's recruitment system in order to apply to this position. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Fixed term employment /temporary contract 2021-12-31.

About the employment

The position offered is still valid for at least two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.