Dean of Engineering Prize Powered Devices for Rehabilitation and Motion Support

Fixed Term

Applications are invited for a Dean of Engineering Prize to work as part of an interdisciplinary team on the project “Powered Devices for Use in Rehabilitation and Postural Motion Support”. The project is funded by the University of Nottingham and is based in the Faculty of Engineering, with expertise drawn from a number of other departments within the University and the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

The project is part of an interdisciplinary group brought together to investigate the development and use of actuated postural support systems and wearable sensing devices for use in rehabilitation environments and to empower patient mobility. This covers a wide range of topics and interests from the development of postural motion models and control, to the construction of wearable sensing and exoskeleton devices.

The candidate will investigate the development of a patient centred control architecture that utilizes whole body postural information to determine desired demands to actuated support devices on targeted joints. This project is supported by a number of clinical and academic partners, and is expected to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector.

The successful candidate will be expected to work on an interdisciplinary team involving clinical and technical personnel utilizing both theoretical and experimental techniques. The successful candidate will be responsible for their own research, the production of regular interim reports and presentations to the project partners, supervision of students on the project, and the publication of new results.

Candidates must hold, or expect to obtain shortly, a PhD or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics or closely related Science discipline. Candidates should have experience in one or more of the following areas:

Biomechanics and BioengineeringMechatronicsControlsElectronic SystemsHuman/humanoid motion modelling techniques

Additional experience working in a clinical environment with patients, using software modelling and control tools such as Matlab, and knowledge of programming languages is valuable. Previous experience working with haptic feedback devices, powered exoskeletons, and on the design of electromechanical systems is beneficial, but not expected.

The award will cover a £25,000 per annum, tax free stipend, for 12 months, for a postdoctoral researcher (UK/EU only, due to funding restrictions). The researcher is expected to start in January 2014 or as early as possible thereafter.

For informal enquiries or formal applications, please send a CV, a covering letter stating how your interests and experience relate to the project, your academic transcripts and the names and email addresses of two academic referees to Dr David T Branson III, email: David.Branson@nottingham.ac.uk, or by clicking the 'Apply' button below.

Please quote ref. ENG/756.

Closing Date: 17 January 2014.

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