PhD Position: Deep learning for human movement and behaviour analysis
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Belgium
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KU Leuven
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On Campus (Full Time)
See Position Description-
Marie Curie PhD Scholarship
January 30, 2026
On Campus (Full Time) Position Details (PhD Program)
HIRING INSTITUTION: KU Leuven (Belgium)
PHD ENROLLMENT: The doctoral candidate will be enrolled at the Arenberg Doctoral School of KU Leuven (Belgium)
DOCTORAL SCHOOL AND RESEARCH TEAM
The PhD researcher will be part of the eMedia research lab under the supervision of Prof. Bart Vanrumste. The research group is embedded in the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) of KU Leuven. Prof. Vanrumste’s research focuses on multimodal sensor integration and machine learning for monitoring of older persons and patients with chronic diseases.
Project
- Analyse the technical gaps and obstacles that hinder the implementation of social justice in AI systems in healthcare for FOG; identify technical requirements for the development of just FMs-based solutions for FOG.
- Develop a data collection method embedding wearable IMU sensors for monitoring FOG in everyday life and providing FOG severity assessment; curate a database of large-scale multi-label gait datasets; develop FMs that can be pretrained based on the curated database, fine-tuned to assess FOG severity, and include semi-automatic bias detection and mitigation.
- Develop an application for FMs-based enhanced FOG severity assessment in the clinic and everyday life; test and validate the FMs-based application for FOG severity assessment through a pilot action in an every-day life use setting.
- According to the technical perspective, investigate the transferability of the FM-based application for FOG to other clinically relevant gait assessment use-cases; provide insights for standardisation from the technical/engineering perspective.
- Meticulously curated multi-label datasets for the development of gait assessment FMs;
- A FM for assessing FOG severity;
- A FMs-based application for FOG severity assessment.
- Radboud University Medical Center (Nijmegen, Netherlands)
- Emory University (Atlanta, USA)
Profile
- Programming experience in Python, particular experience in common deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch and TensorFlow) would be a benefit;
- The qualities to carry out independent research, demonstrated e.g., by the grades obtained in your (under)graduate program(s);
- Is comfortable assisting in data collection experiments with participants in general but older ones in particular;
- A critical mindset.
Offer
Duration of the employment:48 months since 1stSeptember 2026 (expected date of the recruitment)
Income: 4.010,00 €Grosspermonth(48.120,00€/year).
Benefits:
710 € Mobility Allowance per month (8.520€ / year)
660 € Family Allowance per month (7.920€ / year) - Applicable only when the recruited doctoral candidate has family obligations according to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie rules, i.e., when the recruited Doctoral candidate has persons linked to him/her by:
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marriage, or
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a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised; or
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dependent children who are actually being maintained by the doctoral candidate
Benefits are gross EU contribution to the salary cost of the doctoral candidate. The net salary will result from deducting all compulsory (employer/employee) national social security contributions as well as direct taxes.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be sent exclusively in English and through the online application system cross-referenced in this vacancy. Applications sent through other means or in other languages (other than English) will not be evaluated.
Candidates are required to submit the following documents:
- a complete CV in Europass Format in English that must highlight activities and place where the activities have been carried out in order to give evidence of fulfilling the mobility eligibility criterion (see above). Use the template available at https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/it/documents/curriculum-vitae/templates- instructions;
- a complete academic CV in English with references to past research and training experiences;
- a motivation letter, in English, highlighting the consistency between the candidate‘s profile and the chosen DC position for which he/she is applying;
- at least 2 letters of Academic reference, in English or in certified translation;
- scan of the degree qualification, with certified translation in English (if the degree qualification is not in English);
- proof of language proficiency;
- scanned copy of valid identification document (identity card or passport);
- Declaration of Honour according to the template available on the website https://justhealth-project.eu/ for download;
- (OPTIONAL) Any further and relevant supporting documents (e.g., research publications, document attesting proficiency in another language).
Interested?
For more information please contact dr. Benjamin Filtjens at [emailprotected] or prof. Bart Vanrumste at [emailprotected]
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.