PhD Position: Fatigue in Motion Radboud University in Netherlands

Radboud University is offering a PhD position titled Fatigue in Motion within the Faculty of Social Sciences, embedded in the Sensorimotor Neuroscience group at the Donders Centre for Cognition (DCC) in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The project focuses on how fatigue affects gait, balance, functional mobility, and participation in people with neurological disorders.

The research combines physiological measurement, motion analysis, wearable sensors, and real-world data collection to study how physical and cognitive fatigue shape everyday movement. A key element of the project is the use of plethysmography to assess physiological responses associated with fatigue, alongside laboratory-based movement analysis and wearable technology in daily life. By connecting physiological markers to movement quality and activity outside the lab, the project aims to generate new knowledge on why mobility declines during everyday activities and how fatigue limits participation.

This PhD project is part of the NWO-TTW funded Care is Coming Home programme, a multidisciplinary consortium involving universities, academic medical centres, healthcare organisations, and industry partners focused on home-based healthcare and rehabilitation technologies. The project is carried out in close collaboration with Sint Maartenskliniek, a specialist hospital in posture, gait, and movement disorders, and Kinetic Analysis, a partner with expertise in advanced movement measurement and analysis.

As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to study design and protocol development, perform laboratory and real-world measurements, analyse quantitative and qualitative data, and help disseminate results through scientific publications and conference presentations. The role also includes collaboration with clinicians, researchers, and industry partners across the consortium, and may involve mentoring BSc and MSc students plus limited teaching duties.

The position is a 1.0 FTE temporary employment contract starting with 1.5 years and, subject to positive evaluation, extended for another 2.5 years to complete a 4-year PhD trajectory. The salary starts at €3,204 gross per month and rises to €4,051 in the fourth year, with holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, leave entitlement, flexible working arrangements, and access to training and development opportunities.

Applicants should have an MSc in Human Movement Sciences, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Technical Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, or a related field, and should have experience or strong interest in movement analysis, physiological measurement, and/or qualitative methods. Dutch and English communication skills are important, and the university seeks a proactive, persistent candidate interested in the intersection of neuroscience, technology, rehabilitation, and clinical practice.

The application deadline is 30 September 2026. Applications must be submitted through the official Radboud University vacancy portal. Address the application letter to Prof. dr. N. Keijsers. For more information, contact Prof. N.L.W. Keijsers (Noël) at [email protected].