Novel dynamic balance assessment using high-resolution 3D foot forces

About the Project

Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults, resulting in high personal and societal costs. Unfortunately, we lack accurate balance assessment tools to identify persons at risk of falling to offer them targeted treatment. Despite walking upright for millennia, we still lack a clear understanding of how our foot contributes to upright balance during movement, and how this control declines when we age. This interdisciplinary PhD project aims to understand how foot-floor interactions relate to balance, and identify early biomarkers of foot force decline with ageing.

You will be based in the interdisciplinary Brain and Movement Group at Newcastle University and embedded in the interdisciplinary Translational and Clinical Research Institute. You will use state-of-the-art force, motion, and muscle activity instruments in our labs to assess and map foot forces during movements. You will relate this to static, dynamic and reactive balance, using the most advanced balance analysis developed in our group. You will work with young and older participants to understand how foot force control changes with age. You will also be part of a collaborative team validating a novel high-resolution force-sensing instrument with Durham University. You will gain hands-on experience in biomechanics, balance analysis, neurophysiology, and optical instrumentation. You will also benefit from training opportunities at Newcastle in data management, presentation, writing, and coding. You will be provided the opportunity to present your work at (inter)national conferences, related groups at Newcastle, Durham and the UK and are expected to publish your work.

This project is ideal for a student with a strong interest in movement science, ageing, and interdisciplinary research. Join us to become an expert in a transformative technology with broad applications in rehabilitation, sports science, and ageing research.

Funding

Students who have, or are expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, are invited to apply. Funding is available for Home (UK) students to cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (indicative amount in year 1 in 2026-27, £21,805) and research costs, for four years. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the following application form – Google Form

Applicants should send the following documents to FMSstudentships@newcastle.ac.uk:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees).
• a Cover letter – stating your project choice, as well as including additional information you feel is pertinent to your application.
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates.
• a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required)
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE

Please submit your documents in the following format only:

• each document should be submitted *as a separate attachment* and should be named as follows: candidate surname, candidate name – document type. For example: Jones, Jamie – CV; Jones, Jamie – cover letter.
• Please submit .pdf documents where possible for your CV, cover letter, transcripts and certificates. Do not submit photos of certificates.
• Do not combine documents into one pdf. You may zip separate documents into a zip file to send via email if required.
• When emailing your application, please use the email subject header: FMS PhD Application 2026

Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

Informal enquiries may be made to the lead supervisor of the project you are interested in.

The deadline for all applications is 12 noon BST (UK time) on Wednesday 20th May 2026.