Vacancy Post-doctoral researcher (0.2-0.4 FTE)
Job Description: This job fits within the project "RevalExo: a wearable lower- limb exoskeleton that assists activities of daily living and enables data-driven remote rehabilitation" funded by the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen (FWO). https://rere.research.vub.be/revalexo-project
Are you a talented and motivated researcher looking for an exciting opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge research project? We are seeking for a 20% to 40% FTE post-doctoral researcher (1 to 2 years) to join our dynamic team. With the Rehabilitation Research (RERE) group of the VUB we are dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and making a significant impact in the field of rehabilitation technology, robotics, and exoskeletons. Within the REVALEXO project, you will conduct functional testing of exoskeleton prototypes at the BruBotics Rehabilitation Research Center (https://brrc.research.vub.be/). These tests will involve older adults, as well as individuals with neurological disorders, and will focus on ecologically valid laboratory assessments, including progressively fatiguing tasks.
For more information:
Claeys R, Embrechts E, Bourazeri A, Debeuf R, Firouzi M, Eggermont M, Lieten S, Filtjens B, Verstraten T, Swinnen E, Beckwée D. Understanding the perspectives of older adults and physiotherapists on home-based lower-limb exoskeletons. Wearable Technol. 2025 Jul 14;6:e31. doi: 10.1017/wtc.2025.10015.
Claeys R, Embrechts E, Debeuf R, Firouzi M, Bourazeri A, De Raedt S, Moeyersons C, Filtjens B, Verstraten T, Beckwée D, Swinnen E. Toward better assistive lower-limb exoskeletons: Insights from stroke survivors through co-design. Assist Technol. 2025 Sep 2:1-15. doi: 10.1080/10400435.2025.2541730.
Claeys R, Embrechts E, Firouzi M, De Vlieger D, Verstraten T, Beckwée D, Swinnen E. The potential of lower limb exoskeletons to enhance life-space mobility and to leverage green exercise in the rehabilitation of older adults: an expert perspective. Disabil Rehabil. 2025 Jul;47(15):4002-4009. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2436981.
Gavrila Laic RA, Firouzi M, Claeys R, Bautmans I, Swinnen E, Beckwée D. A State-of-the-Art of Exoskeletons in Line with the WHO's Vision on Healthy Aging: From Rehabilitation of Intrinsic Capacities to Augmentation of Functional Abilities. Sensors (Basel). 2024 Mar 30;24(7):2230. doi: 10.3390/s24072230.
Profile
You hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Medicine, Movement sciences, Biomedical engineering etc.).
You have a strong research background with a demonstrated track record of publications.
You are interested in the specific research areas of this project and of the research of the Rehabilitation Research (RERE) group https://rere.research.vub.be/
You are proficient in research methodologies, biomechanics, data analysis, and statistical techniques.
You have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
You can work independently as well as collaboratively in a team. Mentoring experience is a plus.
You have prior experience in writing research grants
You speak and write fluently in English. Knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
Our offer
We offer the opportunity to work for at least 2 years part-time on this project. We offer you quality supervision, the ability to work on your personal academic profile, the opportunity to extent your interdisciplinary network (a.o. within the Brubotics group https://www.brubotics.eu/ and the Center for Neurosciences https://c4n.research.vub.be/), and the chance to contribute to economically and clinically relevant research in collaboration with Prof. David Beckwée and Prof. Eva Swinnen. Writing and submitting external funding applications for personal grants (e.g. FWO post-doc) will be encouraged. The inter- and multidisciplinary environment in which the research takes place is an energetic and positive working environment and offers an exchange between knowledge and practice in lab and clinical settings.
Interested? For more information or application, you can contact Prof. Eva Swinnen (Eva.Swinnen@vub.be) and Prof. David Beckwée (David.Beckwee@vub.be) - always contact both. We expect your application (cover letter and C.V.) no later than December 14, 2025.