PostDoc Fellowship: Robotic and Electrical Stimulation Platform for Integral Neuromuscular Enhancement (RE-SPINE)
Postdoc @University of Twente posted 1 week agoJob Description
re you passionate about neural interfaces, electrical stimulation technologies and robotic systems aimed at restoring movement after neuromuscular injuries such as stroke? The NeuBotics Lab at the University of Twente is looking for a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team as part of the ERC Proof of Concept RE-SPINE project. Our mission is to develop a neural-controlled ankle rehabilitation robot to enable post-strokeindividuals regain volitional control of their ankle joint. Ankle joint function restoration is critical to restore physiological gaint patterns in more proximal joints such as knee and hip.
Motor recovery after neuromuscular injuries is often sub-optimal. These limitations largely stem from current rehabilitation technologies operating with limited knowledge of pathology-specific neuromuscular characteristics and their response to prescribed treatments. Based on the technologies created in the NeuBotics Lab, you will develop a platform that:
1. Decodes the activity of ankle muscle motor units in real-time link to paper.
2. Evaluates the impact of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation on motor unit activity
3. Discerns functional motor units from impaired motor units.
4. Estimates the ankle torque contributed from functional motor units and controls an ankle rehabilitation robots link to paper.
Your tasks will be:
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will lead the development and integration of advanced neuromuscular interfacing technologies, musculoskeletal models and personalized rehabilitation interventions. Your core tasks will include:
- Performing human measurements involving HD-EMG acquisition from lower-limb muscles of stroke patients and healthy volunteers.
- Developing algorithms for identifying and excluding motor unit filters associated to impaired motor units.
- Integrating real-time-decoded features of motor unit spared from injury into personalized musculoskeletal models to enable robust neural control of robotic assistance in stroke survivors.
- Real-time characterization of the effect that electrical stimulation and robotic assistance elicit over volitional control and motor unit-specific firing features.
About the Lab
The NeuBotics Lab is a multidisciplinary team at the forefront of neuromechanics and assistive robotics. Our work bridges neuroscience, biomechanics, and robotics to develop real-time models of joint biomechanics and adaptive control strategies for wearable exoskeletons and bionic limbs. You’ll be part of a dynamic, collaborative environment that values innovation, rigor, and translational impact.
Information and application
Apply by 23:59 on August the 21th, 2025. Interviews will take place in the week of September 1. Expected starting date is mid-October, 2025.
Screening is part of the selection procedure.
Applications should include the following documents:
- A video (2-minute max) describing your scientific interests and why you are applying for this position.
- A cover letter (1-page max) specifying how your experience and skills match the position as well as summarizing your scientific work.
- A CV including English proficiency level, nationality, visa requirements, date of birth, experience overview, and publication list.
- Contact information for at least three academic references. A support letter will be requested by us only if your application is considered
For more information on the open position, you can contact Prof. Massimo Sartori, mail: m.sartori@utwente.nl or dr. Rafael Ornelas Kobayashi , mail r.e.ornelaskobayashi@utwente.nl.
Please, only apply via the web platform and not via email.
