Typical aging is associated with a reduced balance control and an increased risk of falls. Even though this increasing number in falls has devastating consequences in older adults (including injuries, inactivity, morbidity, death), the fundamentals of the risk of falls in this population remains largely unclear. The PhD will focus on different aspects of balance control in this population, how they are related to each other and to the risk of falls. We aim to provide an important contribution to knowledge that can inspire future training paradigms to tackle balance deficits in this aging population. You will follow the rules and guidelines of the ‘doctoral school’ of Hasselt University.

Within the context of the expansion of the research of the REVAL Rehabilitation Research group of Hasselt University the faculty of Rehabilitation sciences wishes to inform about a vacant PhD position (100%) in the domain of biomechanics of balance. The proposed research will be executed within the rehabilitation research group REVAL. REVAL is an interdisciplinary and translational research group which performs research in the domains of pediatric, geriatric, neurologic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, biomechanics, health psychology, mental health care and rehabilitation of internal diseases.The faculty organizes a 3 years academic bachelor and 2 years academic masterprogram in Rehabilitation Sciences & Physiotherapy. The program has approximately 850 students. The facultyorganizes interdisciplinary evidence-based courses for health care professionals in the REVAL ACADEMY program. This PhD will be performed in collaboration with research lines in musculoskeletal and geriatric rehabilitation.

• You have a Master in Rehabilitation Sciences, human movement sciences, engineering or biomedical sciences or equivalent from a European university
  Final-year students are (likewise) encouraged to apply.
• You obtained good to excellent academic results.
• You are engaged to apply for external funding.
• You have a demonstrable affinity with scientific research related to balance control.
• Experience with the target population or intended research methodology is a plus.
• You have interest/experience with biomechanics.
• You have knowledge on the design, execution and analysis of experimental research.
• You have a strong problem-solving skills, flexibility, organizational capacity and stress resistance.
• You have excellent communication skills in English (and Dutch), both oral and written. If you do not know Dutch, you show the willingness to study and speak Dutch within the PhD position.
• You actively contribute to a positive working atmosphere, and make connections between different domains and people (teaching assistants, PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, professors).

You will be appointed and paid as PhD student.
Position for 2 years. After positive evaluation one time extendable with 2 years. Positon at Hasselt University.

The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview.
The selection procedure can also include a presentation and/or assignment.

Apply now
Apply up to 05.07.2022