Postdoctoral fellow opening: Ambulatory Biomechanics, Sensor Fusion, and Machine Learning for Wearable Robotics
How can we translate breakthroughs in wearable robotics from healthy users to people who need them most? Lower-limb exoskeletons have shown strong potential to improve mobility, yet key challenges remain in balance control and adaptation to pathological gait. In this position, you will develop novel estimation algorithms that enable exoskeletons to actively support walking in real-world environments in people with impaired gait due to neurological or neuromuscular disorders.
As part of an ambitious collaborative research project between the Sint Maartens Kliniek and the University of Twente’s Wearable Robotics Lab, we are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to advance estimation and sensor fusion methods for next-generation wearable robotics. The project focuses on the development of the E-Walk concept: a wearable assistive device that combines novel sensing technologies, biomechanical modeling, and machine learning to estimate human joint moments and external disturbances, and to derive robust, activity-agnostic control strategies for stable exoskeleton-assisted walking in people with impaired gait.
You will work closely together with a PhD candidate, a technician, and another postdoctoral fellow that will be recruited for the E-walk project, in close collaboration with external partners involved in the project. If you are excited about interdisciplinary research at the interface of robotics, biomechanics, control, and artificial intelligence, and motivated to contribute to impactful exoskeleton technologies, we encourage you to apply.
The opening
The project combines wearable sensing, ambulatory biomechanics, inverse dynamics, and machine learning to enable the next generation of intelligent exoskeletons for mobility support and rehabilitation. The main goal for this position it to integrate novel instrumented insoles with exoskeleton sensors, and to estimate human joint moments and external disturbances in real-world settings.
Your tasks will be
- Develop and validate novel estimation methods for human joint moments and external disturbances using wearable sensors and novel instrumented insoles.
- Design,implement, and evaluate sensor fusion and ambulatory biomechanics algorithms to estimate kinematics and dynamics outside laboratory settings.
- Develop data-driven models for gait understanding and prediction, including gait features, terrain, and nominal joint moments.
- Integrate and validate the developed methods within experimental exoskeleton systems, using data from both controlled and real-world environments.
Your secondary tasks will include:
- Collaboration with interdisciplinary researchers in neurorehabilitation, biomechanics, robotics, and machine learning.
- Dissemination of research outcomes through scientific publications, open-source tools, and international conferences.
- Help in the education we provide and supervising master and bachelor students that are working on projects related to E-walk.
ABOUT THE LAB
The Wearable Robotics Lab at the University of Twente is a multi-disciplinary team. They use exoskeletons, exosuits and bionic prostheses, combining biomechanical modelling, advanced sensing and intelligent control. This work aims to improve mobility rehabilitation and quality of life of people who need support.
Our lab is part of the Biomechatronics group of the department of Biomechanical Engineering. You will join a vibrant and interdisciplinary ecosystem that is embedded in the Robotics Center and the Techmed Centre that collaborate closely with industry and clinical partners.
Information and application
Please, only apply via the web platform by 23:59 on July 13, 2026 (do not apply via email).
Applications should include the following documents:
1. A video (2-minute max) describing your scientific interests and why you are applying for this position.
2. A cover letter (1-page max) specifying how your experience and skills match the position as well as summarizing your scientific work.
3. A CV including English proficiency level, nationality, visa requirements, date of birth, experience overview, and publication list.
4. Contact information for at least three academic references. A support letter will be requested by us only if your application is considered.
Interviews will take place in the week of July 20. Expected starting date is September 2026.
Screening is part of the procedure.
For more information on the open position, you can contact Prof. Herman van der Kooij, mail: h.vanderkooij@utwente.nl. Please, only apply via the web platform. Please, do not apply via email.
About the organisation
At the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), we work on engineering for impact: developing smart, sustainable, human-centred and technological solutions for societal challenges. We connect fundamental education, research and practice across five core domains: Asset & Maintenance engineering, Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, Personalised Health Technology, Resilience Engineering, and Sustainable Production, Energy and Resources.
We work on education and research in mechanical engineering, civil engineering and industrial design engineering. Together, we learn by making, creating, and innovating, addressing challenges in a solution-oriented way. Quality, connection and inclusivity are the foundation of our culture.
In our open community, students, researchers and staff collaborate with industrial and societal partners. This enables us to develop insights, applications and solutions that add value to society.
