Postdoc position in biomechanics

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Materials and Production a position as postdoc in Human neuromechanics and exoskeletons is open for appointment from September 2025 or soon thereafter. The position is available for a period of 22 months.

Department of Materials and Production (MP) is a wide-ranging research and educational environment at Aalborg University. The Department's mission is to meet the future's demands for new materials and production systems by directing the whole value chain from basic material understanding, materials' applications in mechanical constructions, industrial production and management. The department has several strong, international and innovative research groups which comprise everything from basic science to strategic and applicable research. The activities encompass research as well as education within materials, mechanics, physics, production technique, and industrial management and innovation.

Benefitting the industry and additional collaborators several innovative and unconventional collaborations have been and are developed through interdisciplinary co-operations. Thereby, as an employee at the Department you will become a part of an international research environment, where focus is on innovation, knowledge sharing/building and interdisciplinary collaborations.

The research will be part of the DynAI-Brace project, which aims at restoring the daily mobility and independence of patients suffering from shoulder instability due to neurological conditions like stroke. The project will develop passive actuation of the shoulder joint and an AI-driven, active system that predicts user's intended movements in real-time, generating controlled forces that assist natural shoulder movements. The system will enhance users' mobility and independence, allowing them to perform everyday activities with greater ease and confidence. The DynAI-Brace project comprises partners from Aalborg University (Denmark), LYFTIA (Italy) and Minbandagist (Denmark) that has received 11.9 mio DKK in funding through the EUROSTARS program. EUROSTARS supports innovation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being co-funded by Horizon Europe with contributions from Innovation Fund Denmark to fund the Danish collaboration. The successful applicant will, therefore, have the opportunity to join an innovative and highly ambitious project within MedTech, biomedical engineering and human performance.

The PostDoc project

The purpose of the PostDoc project is to perform real-world testing of the shoulder device in healthy individuals and patients with upper limb movement disorders, as well as to develop the machine learning algorithms responsible for detecting movement intention and timing the powered assistance. Human testing will involve motion analysis using optical and inertial motion capture, surface electromyography (EMG) and force sensing using force sensing resistors (FSRs) and strain gauges.

Required qualifications

• Appointment as Postdoc presupposes scientific qualifications at PhD–level or similar scientific qualifications. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment. Appointment as a Postdoc cannot exceed a period of four years in total at Aalborg University.
• You are a highly motivated individual who can work in a small team and can stay with the other partners for extended periods of time.
• You have a scientific qualification at PhD–level in biomedical engineering, neuromechanics, human movement analysis, robotics, or equivalent.
• You have extensive knowledge in human neurophysiology and functional anatomy.
• You have extensive experience with conducting research within human motion analysis and neurophysiology (EMG/EEG).
• You have extensive data processing experience (Python, Matlab or other platforms), being able to independently conduct complex signal processing and machine learning pipelines.
• You have experience in developing electronics setup for electrophysiological/mechanical measurements, including experience in programming languages for control systems (e.g., Arduino, LabView, ROS2).
• You have an excellent academic track record, including peer-reviewed publications within the fields of human neuroscience and neuromechanics.
• You have to be fluent in English both oral and written.

Limited teaching within the area can be expected, but also in other study programmes at the University.

The application must contain the following:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
• Copies of relevant diplomas (Master of Science and PhD - both in English).
• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 5 publications.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position. References/recommendations.
• Personal data.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below.

Assessment

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts. Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

When the hiring process is completed, a final rejection will be sent to the applicants who are not considered for the position.

Contact information

You may obtain further professional information from Associate Professor Anderson Souza Oliveira, e-mail: oliveira@mp.aau.dk.

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact HR-Support by mail est-ef-hr@adm.aau.dk or phone ( 45) 9940 3031. Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force and procedures can be seen here.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Wages and employment

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and circular concerning protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).