The Rehabilitation Research (RERE) group and the department of Electronics and Informatics (ETRO) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, in close collaboration with the Departments of Clinical Nutrition and Geriatrics at UZ Brussel and the research group Behavioural Science and Social Innovation, Comprehensive Health Research Centre at NOVA University of Lisbon (Portugal), are looking for a motivated PhD researcher to strengthen the interdisciplinary DYNAMO research line: Data-driven Nutrition and Movement Optimization for Healthy Ageing.
DYNAMO (https://rere.research.vub.be/dynamo-data-driven-nutrition-and-movement-optimization-for-healthy-ageing) brings together expertise in rehabilitation sciences, clinical nutrition, biomedical engineering, geriatrics and behavioural science. The programme aims to develop and validate adaptive, data-driven interventions in which exergames function as a central platform for integrating physical exercise, nutrition, metabolic monitoring, autonomic function, motivational support and personalised feedback. Within DYNAMO, exergames are used not only to stimulate movement, but also to create engaging, measurable and adaptive intervention environments that support healthy ageing and sustained lifestyle change.
We are looking for a motivated PhD researcher with a strong background in (biomedical) engineering, or related fields to join an interdisciplinary research project at the interface of wearable sensing, rehabilitation science and adaptive digital health technology.
The PhD will focus on the signal processing and analysis of wearable sensor data collected during complex functional movement tasks. The overall aim is to develop digital movement indicators that can help estimate the level of challenge experienced by an individual during exercise.
These digital indicators will be explored as input for adaptive rehabilitation technology, including game-based exercise environments that can adjust task difficulty to the user’s abilities and performance. The PhD will investigate how to realize such sensor-based dynamic difficulty adjustment in serious games.
The project will combine wearable sensing, signal processing, movement analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration with rehabilitation scientists and engineers. The selected candidate will work on translating raw sensor data into clinically meaningful information that can support safe, motivating and personalized exercise prescription.
Main responsibilities
The PhD researcher will:
Process and analyze wearable sensor data collected during complex movement tasks.
Develop algorithms to extract meaningful movement characteristics from time-series data.
Explore how sensor-derived movement indicators relate to clinically rated exercise challenge.
Contribute to the development of adaptive digital exercise environments.
Work closely with rehabilitation scientists, biomedical engineers and clinical partners.
Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and the development of reusable research workflows.
Candidate profile
We are looking for a candidate with:
A master’s degree in (biomedical) engineering sciences, computer science, with strong quantitative skills, or a related field.
Strong interest in wearable sensing, human movement analysis and rehabilitation technology.
Experience with signal processing and quantitative data analysis.
Strong programming skills, preferably in Python. Experience with R and/orC# is an asset.
Interest in machine learning, time-series analysis, sensor fusion, human movement modelling or adaptive systems.
Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
Good communication skills and willingness to collaborate with clinical and technical partners.
Experience with wearable sensors, IMU data, exergames, biomechanics, rehabilitation technology, human-computer interaction, computer game technology is an asset.
Research environment
The PhD will be embedded in a collaboration between rehabilitation sciences and biomedical engineering at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Geriatric department at UZBrussel. The candidate will join a dynamic interdisciplinary environment focusing on technology-supported rehabilitation, healthy ageing, wearable sensing and personalized digital interventions.
Why this project matters
Digital rehabilitation technologies have strong potential to make exercise more personalized, motivating and scalable. However, many current systems still rely on simple performance scores and do not sufficiently capture how challenging an exercise is for the individual user. This project aims to bridge that gap by developing sensor-based movement analytics that can support more intelligent, responsive and clinically meaningful adaptive exercise technology.
For further questions or information, you can contact Prof. Bart Jansen (bart.jansen@vub.be).
To apply, please submit your CV and motivation letter (max. 1 page) to Rehabilitation.Research@vub.be, before august 15, 2026.