Academic ConnectPhD position - From brain to muscles: elucidating gait control mechanisms in cerebral palsy
_(ref. BAP-2025-365)_
_Last modified: 17/06/25_
Research will be executed at the Department of Movement Sciences in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and the Department of Development and Regeneration. The candidate will be a member of the Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group and will closely collaborate with the Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group.
Project
Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by a lesion to the developing brain and is a common cause of physical disability in children. CP causes both neural and musculoskeletal impairments that impair walking ability. Due to the complex interplay between neural and musculoskeletal impairments, it is hard to identify the underlying origins of walking deficits hindering treatment selection. It has been particularly hard to relate muscle hyper-excitability and reduced selective muscle control as measured in clinical tests to walking deficits. This project aims at determining the origins of altered muscle coordination during walking in CP. To this aim, we will combine experimental assessments with computer simulations. First, we will use models to infer neural impairments from instrumented clinical assessments of hyper-excitability and selective control. Second, we will combine electroencephalography to measure brain activity during walking and electromyography to measure muscle activity to study alterations in brain-muscle connectivity in CP. Finally, we will use simulations to probe causal relationships between neural impairments and walking informed by the experimental observations.
Profile
- You have earned a Master's degree in Movement Sciences or Biomedical Engineering, or you have equivalent expertise.
- You have a strong interest in biomechanics and motor control and expertise in programming.
- You have the skills (or are willing to learn) to experimentally assess movement (including motion capture, electroencephalography (EEG), and electromyography (EMG)) in typically developing children and children with cerebral palsy.
- You are able to take on responsibilities and to work independently.
- You are interested in teaching courses and supervising master theses in the domains of biomechanics and motor control.
- You have good communication skills, are fluent in English, and have excellent writing skills.
- You look forward to work in a multidisciplinary team with movement scientists, engineers, physiotherapists and medical doctors.
Offer
We offer an exciting project in a multi-disciplinary and collaborative environment at a top university with the goal of writing a PhD thesis. Successful completion of the PhD program will lead to a PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences.
The initial appointment is for one year and will be extended upon positive evaluation (four years total). The starting date is October 1, 2025.
Interested?
You can apply until June 27, 2025. Please add contact details of two referees, and copies of academic degrees and grades to your CV.
Interviews will take place July 1-3. Notifications for interviews will be send no later then June 30.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Friedl De Groote, mail: friedl.degroote@kuleuven.be.
You can apply for this job no later than June 27, 2025 via the online application tool.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
Do you have a question about the online application system? Please consult our FAQ or email us at apply@kuleuven.be
av_timer Appointment percentage: Full-time
location_city Location: Leuven
timer Apply until:
27/06/2025 23:59 CET
bookmarks Tags: Movement Sciences, Engineering Science
