PostDoc Fellowship: Neural Control of Leg Exoskeletons Post Stroke.
Are you passionate about neural interfaces, wearable robotics, and rehabilitation technology? The NeuBotics Lab at the University of Twente is looking for a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team as part of the EU HORIZON project SWAG.
Our mission is to restore natural gait patterns in individuals with motor impairment (due to stroke, spinal cord injury etc) through real-time neural control of wearable robotic exoskeletons. You will be developing next-generation (low and high-level) control algorithms for wearable exoskeletons that use motor unit biofeedback for locomotion enhancement of post-stroke ndividuals.
If you’re excited by the idea of translating cutting-edge neuromechanical research into tangible clinical solutions, we encourage you to apply.
The opening:
Wearable robotic exoskeletons are transforming the future of rehabilitation, but interfacing them with the human neuromuscular system remains a challenge, especially in individuals with impairments such as stroke. In this project, we aim to:
- Leverage the lab’s expertise in real-time decomposition of high-density EMG (HD-EMG) to decode individual muscle motor unit activity [DOI: 10.1109/BioRob60516.2024.10719875].
- Integrate this neural information into real-time musculoskeletal modeling using our CEINMS-RT framework [DOI: 10.36227/techrxiv.173397962.28177284/v1].
- Enable neural control of a bilateral cable-driven ankle exoskeleton in post-stroke individuals during walking.
- Apply the novel controller across other assistive systems developed as part of the SWAG Project.
Your tasks will be:
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will lead the development and integration of advanced neuromechanical modeling and control systems. Your core tasks will include:
- Leading the integration of novel control algorithms within the SWAG project in collaboration with the partners.
- Integrating HD-EMG decomposition algorithms with the CEINMS-RT musculoskeletal modeling framework to enable efficient real-time computation of joint kinetics.
- Developing and validating motor unit-driven musculoskeletal models to estimate ankle joint moments during gait in stroke survivors.
- Implementing real-time control strategies for a bilateral ankle exoskeleton based on the validated models.
- Collaborating with clinical partners for in-lab evaluations with individuals with post-stroke or other motor impairments.
About the Lab
The NeuBotics Lab is a multidisciplinary team at the forefront of neuromechanics and assistive robotics. Our work bridges neuroscience, biomechanics, and robotics to develop real-time models of joint biomechanics and adaptive control strategies for wearable exoskeletons and bionic limbs. You’ll be part of a dynamic, collaborative environment that values innovation, rigor, and translational impact.
Information and application
Apply by 23:59 on August the 24th, 2025. Interviews will take place in the week of September 8th. Expected starting date is mid-October, 2025. Applications should include the following documents:
- A video (2-minute max) describing your scientific interests and why you are applying for this position.
- A cover letter (1-page max) specifying how your experience and skills match the position as well as summarizing your scientific work.
- A CV including English proficiency level, nationality, visa requirements, date of birth, experience overview, and publication list.
- Contact information for at least three academic references. A support letter will be requested by us only if your application is considered
For more information on the open position, you can contact Prof. Massimo Sartori, mail: m.sartori@utwente.nl. Please, only apply via the web platform. Please, do not apply via email.
About the department
Chair of Neuromuscular Robotics
You will be working within our academic Chair, where we interface robotic technologies with the neuromuscular system to improve movement. We apply artificial intelligence, computational modelling and biological signal processing, in a translational way, to develop novel real-time bio-inspired assistive technologies. Our goal is to establish a roadmap for discovering fundamental principles of movement at the interface between humans and wearable robots ultimately for improving human health. But, we are always open to embrace new approaches! Together with industrial leaders and an extensive network of clinical institutions, we cover the entire trajectory from modelling a given subject population to the development of assistive robotics technologies. Our work is facilitated by the University's TechMed Centre, the Robotics Center and the Digital Society Institute.
Please, also check out our pages:
The Department of Biomechanical Engineering
You will also become a staff member of our Department. This consists of over 80 members and is engaged in a broad range of biomedical research topics. We focus on the design and control of medical robotic systems for a variety of clinically-relevant applications. Our department has a strong focus on prostheses, wearable exoskeletons, artificial organs, surgical robots, and rehabilitation robots. For example, the research in our department ranges from design and image-guided control of macro-micro-scale surgical robots, to developing neuromusculoskeletal models for control of both bionic limbs, to design and real-time control of soft wearable exo-suits. Moreover, we also evaluate our medical robots in pre-clinical trials. In collaboration with industrial leaders we also conduct research with existing commercial medical robots to further improve the technology.
We are part of the TechMed Centre, and have an extensive network of clinical institutions with whom we collaborate. We are also part of the MESA+ NanoLab, and have access to world-class cleanroom facilities. To learn more about the research within the Department of Biomechanical Engineering check our website.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
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