Postdoc Healthy Joints Multiscale Modeling of in Vivo Knee Loading

Job description

Healthy joints are essential for mobility, independence and quality of life. Yet osteoarthritis (OA) is rapidly becoming one of the largest chronic health challenges in the Netherlands and worldwide. The Convergence Health & Technology 'Healthy Joints' Flagship brings together a consortium from TU Delft, Erasmus MC, and Erasmus University Rotterdam to better understand OA and its progression. We are a large team of clinicians, engineers, data scientists, imaging specialists and more, and we are working together to improve prevention, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment for individuals with OA. Our multi-scale approach investigates joint health and disease at the cellular-, tissue-, joint-, whole person-, and societal-levels.

The Biomechanical engineering department at TU Delft is seeking a talented and motivated part-time postdoctoral researcher to join our team in a fixed-term position for the final year of the Healthy Joints project. You would be joining the work package focused on “Multiscale modeling pathomechanics of joint and tissue load In vivo”. In this role, you would support the team in continuing to build and refine existing multiscale musculoskeletal models and apply these models to evaluate cartilage stress in individuals with OA. This will include tasks like developing or refining algorithms, processing and analyzing biomechanics and imaging data, supporting translation and dissemination activities, and supervising masters and PhD students. Your primary focus would be to work strategically to ensure the sustainability of this research line beyond the Healthy Joints project, working together with the team to write proposals and apply for funding.

Job requirements

We are looking for an ambitious, independent, and collaborative postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in multiscale musculoskeletal modeling, who is motivated to build an independent research line that extends the work of Healthy Joints.

Required qualifications

• A PhD in Biomechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Vision, Robotics, or a related discipline
• A strong curiosity for human movement analysis and multiscale musculoskeletal modeling
• Experience with optical motion capture data collection, processing, modeling, and analysis, preferably with clinical/experimental gait data in musculoskeletal populations
• Advanced skills in algorithm development, data analysis, and computational modeling (Python, OpenSim)
• Excellent project management and communication skills to manage a multi-site project across academic and industry partners
• Works independently yet thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team
• Fluent in Dutch and English
• Persuasive scientific writing
• Excellent track record in acquiring grants within an academic or industry setting
• Demonstrated track record in knowledge dissemination (publications in top tier scientific journals, presentations at international conferences) in biomechanics, osteoarthritis, or a related field

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Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

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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.

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Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year. Temporarily with a posibility for extension.
• A job of 8-14 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

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

For more information about this position please contact Ajay Seth (a.seth@tudelft.nl).

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 31 October 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Ajay Seth.

Please note:

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

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