ISPGR was delighted to award Dr Christopher McCrum its 2025 Promising Scientist Award (PSA). In his PSA Plenary Talk at the 2025 World Congress in Maastricht, Netherlands, Dr McCrum reflected on how viewing fall prevention through the lens of elite sprint coaching has influenced the questions he asks, the methods he uses, and the way he interprets results. This post summarizes the key ideas and messages from that lecture.

Last year at the 2025 ISPGR World Congress, I was honoured to receive this award and to give a presentation about the first stages of my scientific career. I discussed not so much about the scientific nuts and bolts of my research but on one of the perspectives that I look at my research from and how that has aided me throughout my research so far. In this blog post, I will give a brief summary of the key points and messages of my talk.

My background and main motivation for my studies during my bachelor and masters was (elite) sports coaching, specifically in sprinting. At first glance, elite sprint performance and fall prevention in older adults may seem worlds apart. But the central argument of my talk was that changing perspectives can unlock new insights and progress, particularly in a field as complex as fall prevention. This idea resonated strongly with the broader theme of the ISPGR conference, which emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and the value of looking beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries [1].

In my work, fall prevention is not about preventing all falls, nor is it about minimizing movement or risk-taking. Most falls in older adults occur due to trips and slips during walking, often involving large, sudden balance disturbances. These are the events I am primarily interested in understanding and preventing. Equally important is recognizing that older adults are not a homogeneous group, and that the mechanisms underlying a fall matter. Preventing a slow collapse during a transfer is not the same problem as recovering from a sudden trip during walking.

In sprint coaching, performance can be viewed through interacting “targets”, for example: Structure (e.g. muscle–tendon properties); Capacity (e.g., strength and power); or Technique/skill/coordination. Crucially, coaching also forces you to ask where an individual sits on each of these dimensions relative to the point of diminishing returns. Strength is not always the limiting factor. More conditioning is not always the answer. Sometimes, what matters most, is skill or technique.

This perspective influenced how I approached fall prevention research from early on. Rather than asking only whether older adults are weaker, slower, or less active, I became interested in whether they are given the opportunity to practice the specific skills required to resist and recover from balance loss. As a result, a large part of my research has focused on perturbation-based balance training (PBT) – exposing people to repeated, unexpected balance disturbances during walking so that they can learn to recover more effectively [2]. My own and others’ research consistently shows that older adults are capable of rapid adaptation to repeated perturbations. Improvements in reactive gait recovery can occur within a single session, and can be partly retained over weeks and even years.

Ageing is associated with well-documented declines in muscle-tendon properties, strength, power, and Type II muscle fibre size. These factors are clearly relevant for movement and fall risk, and exercise interventions targeting them are effective at reducing falls at the population level. However, while muscle structure and capacity matter, they do not appear to be the primary limiting factors for learning to recover from a trip during walking [3]. From a coaching perspective, this is not surprising: improving strength does not automatically translate into improved skill unless the skill itself is trained.

Another recurring theme in the field is whether being physically active protects against age-related declines in reactive balance. Our data suggest a nuanced answer. Reactive gait recovery does decline with age, even when older adults are matched to younger individuals on habitual physical activity [4]. However, the capacity to adapt to repeated perturbations is largely preserved: Older adults can still learn, even if their baseline performance is lower. This distinction matters. It suggests that interventions do not only need to consider how to prevent physical decline but also how to leverage preserved adaptability through appropriate task-specific training.

One outcome of taking a more skill-based perspective is the recognition that the ability to resist or avoid falls is not actually a single ability. We can distinguish between:

• Proactive gait adaptability: detecting threats and adjusting gait accordingly (e.g., stepping over an obstacle)
• Gait robustness: resisting disturbances without losing balance (e.g., tolerating uneven cobblestones without tripping or losing balance)
• Reactive gait recovery: responding effectively once balance is lost (e.g., a recovery step after a trip)

Each of these processes might be improved through different overlapping and interacting mechanisms: direct skill improvements; indirect changes in gait; and psychological factors such as confidence or threat perception [5].

Looking back over more than a decade of research, what stands out is not a single result, but how much the questions themselves were shaped by perspective. Approaching fall prevention through the lens of a sprint coach led me to prioritize task specificity, skill acquisition, and considering dose–response and dose-generalisability relationships [6] – ideas that are familiar in sport, but historically underemphasized in fall prevention. This does not mean that this perspective is definitive, complete or correct. But it illustrates the value of interdisciplinary thinking, particularly in a field where progress depends on integrating biomechanics, neuroscience, psychology, and clinical practice.

If there is one takeaway from my ISPGR lecture, it is that fall prevention, and posture and gait research more broadly, may benefit as much from changing how we think as from changing what we measure. Societies and conferences that actively encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue play a crucial role in making that possible [1].

References

1: Filtjens B, McCrum C. (2026) Perspectives on interdisciplinary posture and gait research from the ISPGR 2025 World Congress: Where do we stand and what are the next steps? Gait & Posture 124: 110058. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110058

2: McCrum C, Bhatt TS, Gerards MHG, Karamanidis K, Rogers MW, Lord SR, Okubo Y. (2022) Perturbation-based Balance Training: Principles, Mechanisms and Implementation in Clinical Practice. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 4:1015394. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.1015394

3: McCrum C, Grevendonk L, Schaart G, Moonen-Kornips E, Jörgensen JA, Gemmink A, Meijer K, Hoeks J. (2021) Type II muscle fibre properties are not associated with balance recovery following large perturbations during walking in young and older adults. bioRxiv doi: 10.1101/2021.11.26.470167

4: Grevendonk L. Connell NJ, McCrum C, Fealy CE, Bilet L, Bruls YMH, Mevenkamp J, Schrauwen-Hinderling VB, Jörgensen JA, Moonen-Kornips E, Schaart G, Havekes B, de Vogel-van den Bosch J, Bragt MCE, Meijer K, Schrauwen P, Hoeks J. (2021) Impact of aging and exercise on skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacity, energy metabolism, and physical function: a cross-sectional study. Nature Communications. 12: 4773. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24956-2

5: van der Hulst EG, Meijer K, Meyns P, McCrum C. (2025) Design Considerations for Technology-assisted Fall-Resisting Skills Training Trials in Older Adults: A Pilot and Feasibility Study. medRxiv doi: 10.1101/2025.10.03.25337262

6: Karamanidis K, Epro G, McCrum C, König M. (2020) Improving trip and slip-resisting skills in older people: perturbation dose matters. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. 48(1): 40-47. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000210

About the Author

Dr Christopher McCrum is an Assistant Professor in the Human Movement Science research group of the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences at Maastricht University, The Netherlands. His main research focus is the control and improvement of balance and walking in populations at risk of falls, with additional interest in research methodology and reporting.

The post Fall Prevention Through the Lens of a Sprints Coach: Reflections on my ISPGR Promising Scientist Award (PSA) Talk appeared first on ISPGR.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate  to join an interdisciplinary research project in a collaborative environment at the intersection of neuroscience, biomechanics, wearable robotics, and data science. The successful candidate will be co-supervised by Prof. Kaylena Ehgotetz Martens and Prof. Arash Arami. We value equity, diversity, and inclusion and actively encourage applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and members of other equity-deserving groups.

Project Overview

Freezing of gait is one of the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, contributing significantly to falls, loss of independence, and reduced quality of life. This PhD project aims to advance the prediction and understanding of FOG by integrating exoskeleton technology with multimodal sensor fusion.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development and evaluation of a next-generation system that combines various wearable sensors with an assistive exoskeleton to detect, predict, and mitigate FOG episodes in real time. The work will involve close collaboration with engineers, clinicians, and people living with Parkinson’s disease, ensuring strong translational and patient-centred impact.

Key Research Components

• Experimental study of gait and freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease
• Integration of wearable sensors with lower-limb exoskeleton systems
• Sensor fusion and machine learning approaches for FOG prediction
• Validation in laboratory and real-world or semi-ecological settings
• Knowledge translation to clinical and community stakeholders

Candidate Profile

We welcome applicants with backgrounds in one or more of the following areas:

• Movement science, kinesiology, rehabilitation science, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering
• Robotics, mechatronics, wearable technology, or human–machine interaction
• Signal processing, sensor fusion, machine learning, or data science
• Clinical research related to Parkinson’s disease or gait disorders

Desired experience or interests include:

• Wearable sensors and gait analysis
• Human-subject experimentation and ethical research conduct
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R, C/C++)
• Interdisciplinary and collaborative research environments
• Parkinson’s disease research

What We Offer

• An innovative, interdisciplinary PhD project with strong clinical relevance
• Access to state-of-the-art exoskeletons, wearable sensors, and motion analysis tools
• Opportunities to work with clinicians, engineers, and patient partners
• International collaborations, conference presentations, and high-impact publications
• A supportive training environment focused on research excellence and career development

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the PhD program at the host institution and demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential.

Scholarship Opportunities

The PhD position is fully funded through a combination of research funding and institutional support, subject to university and program requirements.

Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA): This is a special funding opportunity for candidates (international or Canadian) who currently reside outside of Canada. We are please to nominate and support the eligible applicant for this prestiguos scholarship (deadline Feb 17).

For candidates currently in Canada, we will support applications to other major funding programs, including NSERC and Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS).

To Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your statement of interest to arash.arami@uwaterloo.ca. Please use FOG-Exo Applicant in the subject line of the email.

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ISPGR was delighted to award Dr Benjamin Filtjens its 2025 Emerging Scientist Award (ESA). In his ESA Plenary Talk at the 2025 World Congress in Maastricht, Netherlands, Dr Filtjens shared how artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable sensors are helping tackle one of the most challenging symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: walking difficulties and freezing of gait. This post summarizes the key points from this talk.

Walking difficulties are among the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Two important aspects of gait assessment in Parkinson’s are the severity of freezing of gait (FOG) and the overall gait severity rating. FOG refers to sudden episodes in which patients are unable to move forward despite intending to, while a global clinical impression of gait is measured using standardized rating scales such as the (MDS-)UPDRS. Traditionally, both are assessed visually by clinicians reviewing gait tasks or video recordings. While effective, this approach is time-consuming, subjective, and difficult to scale.

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a promising way forward: Deep learning methods can automatically process wearable-sensor or video data to estimate FOG episodes or UPDRS gait scores. Yet, a persistent challenge in the field is cross-center generalization. Most AI models are trained on relatively small, single-center datasets, which limits their ability to handle the wide variability in patient gait patterns, clinical tasks, and sensor/video configurations. As a result, models that work well in one center often perform far less accurately when tested on data from another center (or a different group of patients).

Our two recent studies approached the generalization problem from complementary perspectives. The first examined how wearable-sensor–based deep learning models for FOG detection transfer across six independent cohorts, and whether we can improve transfer by means of FOG-IT, a web application that enables human–AI collaborative scoring of FOG episodes (Figure 1).  In this workflow, the AI provides an initial prediction and the user can verify and correct it, keeping clinical expertise in the loop. The second examined how video-based deep learning models for UPDRS gait severity estimation transferred across four independent cohorts, and whether this could be improved using CARE-PD, the first open-source, multi-center 3D gait dataset with clinical labels.

In our studies, we found that models performed well when trained and tested on data from the same site, but their robustness dropped notably when applied to data from other centers. Study-specific metrics decreased by approximately 14% for FOG detection and 46% for gait-score estimation compared to within-site results. However, we could mitigate this drop by adapting the source-site–trained model using a small local sample from the target site. For FOG detection, an AI-assisted annotation workflow such as FOG-IT can make collecting such a local sample more feasible: the model first proposes FOG episodes and clinicians then correct these predictions, producing clinician-verified annotations that can be used to fine-tune (update) the model for the new center, while also providing oversight during deployment. These findings show that between-center differences reduce model robustness and strongly underline two needs:  humans should remain involved in the scoring process to verify performance and enable safe, efficient local adaptation when  a model is applied in a new setting (e.g., via FOG-IT, Figure 1), and the field needs multi-center development and validation datasets with standardized benchmarking to improve generalization (e.g., CARE-PD).

Figure 1. FOG-IT AI-assisted workflow. A deep-learning model generates initial annotations of FOG episodes in gait tasks. A human evaluator reviews and corrects these annotations and makes the final decision, thereby enabling correction of cross-center algorithmic biases.

FOG-IT (now called AID-FOG):

More information about the study—including a demo of the AI-assisted annotation platform and a link to the manuscript—is available on its webpage: https://aidfog.be/

Yang, P. K., Carlon, J., Goris, M., Klaver, E., Nonnekes, J., van Wezel, R. J., … & Filtjens, B. (2025). Deep Learning for Freezing of Gait Assessment using Inertial Measurement Units: A Multicentre Study. medRxiv, 2025-06; doi:https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.06.27.25330405.

CARE-PD:

More information about the study—including links to the benchmarking codebase, the multicentre dataset, and the manuscript—is available on its webpage: https://neurips2025.care-pd.ca/

Adeli, V., Klabucar, I., Rajabi, J., Filtjens, B., Mehraban, S., Wang, D., … & Taati, B. (2025). CARE-PD: A Multi-Site Anonymized Clinical Dataset for Parkinson’s Disease Gait Assessment. arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.04312.; doi: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2510.04312.

About the Author

Benjamin Filtjens

Benjamin Filtjens is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Engineering Systems and Services and the Institute for Health Systems Science at Delft University of Technology. His research applies machine learning, particularly large-scale deep learning methods, for modeling complex systems in healthcare and biomechanics. He mainly designs algorithms that recognize and quantify human motion and behaviour from wearable and video data and embeds these models into closed-loop intelligent interventions.

Babak Taati

Babak Taati is a Senior Scientist at the KITE Research Institute of the University Health Network and Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. He leads the Aging Team at KITE, focusing on technologies for continuous health monitoring and chronic condition management. His research applies computer vision and artificial intelligence to develop and evaluate health monitoring and rehabilitation technologies, focusing on improving the well-being of older adults and people with chronic conditions.

The post Using Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Clinical Gait Assessment in Parkinson’s Disease: Insights from ISPGR’s 2025 Emerging Scientist appeared first on ISPGR.

I have been asked to write a short blog as part of the Honorary Membership that was bestowed upon me in Maastricht. In particular I was asked to speak about my experience with ISPGR as well as to provide tips and advice to junior researchers for achieving a successful career in posture and gait research. Let me attempt the latter point first drawing from my experience over the past 44 years post BSc.

First, of course, always think critically and objectively, but I would add that it is also necessary to BE HUMBLE in such thinking. One can be confident within the framework of the current knowledge, but there is still so much yet to understand and there are still many limits in our tools and theories that beg a cautious confidence. One should certainly never camp a career within any one theory. Humbleness allows us to be open to change and to minimize, and maybe even recognize, our biases. Also, while big breakthroughs are wonderful and we may dream of being the ‘big name’ researcher that broke through an idea, in reality, science is mostly moved forward by chipping away and adding little new nuggets of knowledge. While these nuggets are often not shocking, if the science is based on sound logic and well-thought-out protocols or models, they often catalyse other ideas and approaches or, also important, confirm existing ideas.

Next, BE PASSIONATE about what you do. Don’t jump on a bandwagon topic just because it is popular, or at least not until it has an undercurrent pull on your genuine interest. If I and the collaborators with whom I have worked have had any success, it is that our passion for knowledge has allowed us to attack issues not yet seen or at least not in a certain way, or perhaps in a way that combines ideas not yet put together. When you feel your passion wane, close the office door and pull out recent (or older) data and swim in it for a while.

Another piece of advice, actually part of being humble, is to SEE EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE TEAM AS A COLLEAGUE. I have learned something from every person, from trainees to research assistants to co-PIs, even in cases that required more mentoring than anticipated. Remember that every research question begs a team of brains well beyond the principal investigator. You will also be surprised by the productivity related to true intellectual respect. Related to this point, I would suggest being less possessive about your research program, i.e., BE A MENTOR, A COORDINATOR, BUT NOT AN OWNER. This is, believe me, very difficult to practice within our environment of institution and publication competition and the ego is difficult to control. Only in the latter part of my career have I tried (still a work in progress) to avoid talking about MY students, MY program, MY lab.

Another point is to EMBRACE GRANT WRITING. While most of us complain about it, and are disheartened by grant refusals, realize that every grant preparation is an opportunity to take stock of where the science is and what exciting things should be next. Even unsuccessful grants advance your thinking and will nourish the team’s next work if you write them with passion. Finally, my wife has been a rock for me (and probably felt like throwing a few at me too) throughout my scientific career. RECOGNIZE THOSE OUTSIDE YOUR RESEARCH PROGRAM who act as sounding boards, provide moral support, try to tolerate your scientific distractions that generally keep you rooted…and let them know how important they are to you.

As to ISPGR, as I mentioned when thanking everyone in Maastricht for this honour, ISPGR is a great society and has naturally grouped together many researchers that hold many of the values noted above. It has always been a safe place to expose and mutually challenge ideas and to see what flies. Having been on the board for 11 years, and on the executive for 6 years, including 2 years as president, I have seen the political, academic and social sides of ISPGR. Sure, it “ain’t” perfect, but it is mostly a wonderful place for exchange and even fun. My last message to the young researchers is to invest in your society to continue its mission and keep it moving forward.

Thank you again to ISPGR for the Honorary Member award of 2025.

Brad McFadyen

​

About the Author

Bradford J. McFadyen, PhD, is an adjunct professor (retired; School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval) and a researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris). He was inaugural co-lead of the Centre’s research platform for immersive technology in rehabilitation. His research program has spanned from basic to applied studies on anticipatory locomotor adaptations across the lifespan and following acquired brain injury.

The post A Lifetime Member’s reflections on making a meaningful career in posture and gait research appeared first on ISPGR.

Responsibilities

• Participant recruitment & scheduling, including traveling to prospective recruitment sites.
• Coordination and management of research projects, including data entry, data transposition, maintaining study-related databases, and providing project updates to PI and study team.
• Maintaining inventory and maintenance of equipment, instruments, and data collection and analysis tools.
• Tasks related to the maintenance of Institutional Review Board processes for study approval.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in kinesiology, biomechanics, or a related field.
• Proficiency using Excel and PowerPoint, especially for plotting and presenting data in graphical format.
• Able to work for up to 20 hours per week, with extra hours if needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of research concepts, practices, and problems.
• At least one year of related research experience.

Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Those interested should contact Dr. Bhatt providing their CV: Email:tbhatt6@uic.edu.

The post Seeking Part-Time Research Coordinator in the Cognitive, Motor, and Balance Rehabilitation Lab at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) appeared first on ISPGR.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to the execution of clinical trials and laboratory projects
• Assist with data collection, processing, and analysis (may include – 3D motion data, electromyography, ground reaction forces, electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging)
• Draft, edit, and submit high-quality manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, grant writing
• Contribute as needed to other laboratory projects
• Supervise undergraduate/graduate students and assist study staff

Qualifications:

• PhD in biomechanics, motor control, physiology, kinesiology, or related field.
• Knowledge of biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology
• Experience defining research hypotheses and using scientific rigor to complete research goals
• Expertise in kinematic/kinetic data analysis and visualization; expertise in statistics
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with EMG or EEG analysis.
• Experience with Machine Learning to solve complex data problems.
• Experience with Opensim.
• Experience with programming in MATLAB, Python, or R

Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Interested persons should contact Dr. Bhatt providing their CV: Email:tbhatt6@uic.edu.

The post Seeking Postdoctoral Fellow in the Physical Therapy department of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) appeared first on ISPGR.

PhD Program in Physical Rehabilitation Science

We are seeking motivated PhD applicants to join our interdisciplinary program that prepares the next generation of rehabilitation scientists. Our comprehensive program draws on nationally and internationally recognized research expertise across multiple departments within the University of Maryland System.

Research Areas:

• Neuromotor Control and Rehabilitation – Motor learning, balance and gait training, neuroplasticity-promoting interventions
• Musculoskeletal Performance and Rehabilitation – Exercise interventions, muscle physiology, cardiometabolic health
• Rehabilitation Engineering and Robotics – Multi-joint rehabilitation robots, assistive technology development
• Community-Based Rehabilitation – Field-based research, mobility assessment, environmental interventions
• Rehabilitation Health Services – Healthcare systems analysis, epidemiological studies, policy evaluation

UMANRRT Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Multiple postdoctoral fellowships are available through the U.S. National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) University of Maryland Advanced Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Training (UMANRRT) Program.

Research Focus Areas:

• Biomechanics, neuroimaging, sensorimotor and cognitive characterizations related to neuromotor control in neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, or aging populations
• Rehabilitation robotics, machine learning, and signal processing for improving neuromotor control and rehabilitation outcomes
• Interventional studies examining the interaction of neuromotor, biomechanical, cognitive, socio-economic factors, motor learning, and behavioral processes

Application Information

For PhD Applications: Applications must be submitted through the online application at https://www.graduate.umaryland.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/. Submit CV, 1-page statement of research interests and career goals, official transcripts, and three letters of reference. Applications with assistantship consideration due December 1st, 2025 for fall 2026 admission. Rolling admissions accepted until April 1st, 2026. For questions, contact Kelly Westlake, kwestlake@som.umaryland.edu.

For Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications: Submit cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to Li-Qun Zhang, l-zhang@som.umaryland.edu and Kelly Westlake, kwestlake@som.umaryland.edu. Start date is immediate or negotiable.

Research Environment

Our program leverages state-of-the-art facilities including motion capture systems, force platforms, electromyography, virtual reality systems, neuroimaging (MRI, EEG), rehabilitation robotics, and muscle physiology laboratories. Students and fellows benefit from collaborations with the University of Maryland Medical System, bioengineering faculty at University of Maryland College Park, and established industry partnerships.

The program is committed to inclusive excellence and attracts trainees from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. We provide comprehensive support through mentorship, professional development opportunities, and access to interdisciplinary training programs including the Institute for Clinical & Translational Research and specialized centers of excellence.

Equal Opportunity: The University of Maryland, Baltimore is an equal opportunity institution. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized and are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students and fellows.

The post PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities in Physical Rehabilitation Science — University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore appeared first on ISPGR.

Area of Research:
Advancing accessible technological solutions for detecting, monitoring and improving balance dysfunction.

The research involves the development and validation of novel low cost technologies to advance innovation in balance-assessment tools and balance-assistive devices designed for real-world research and clinical applications. Innovative approaches may include (but are not limited to): wearable sensors, simple mechanical devices, neuromuscular stimulation and virtual/augmented reality that will ultimately help reduce the prevalence and impact of balance deficits and falls

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the BFRC co-directors (Dr. Jean-Sébastien Blouin & Mark Carpenter) and core research members within the BFRC (for key members see https://balancefalls.ubc.ca/about-us/researchers) and will be expected to support collaborative scientific research that integrates basic science with clinical applications within the Centre.

Background Required:

MSc in Kinesiology, or related areas of neuroscience or engineering, completed no later than December 2025. Academic record must demonstrate academic excellence and strong research potential to be competitive for external scholarships (e.g. NSERC, CIHR).

Applicants must have a strong interest and demonstrated experience in human balance control research. Software programming skills in one or more of MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, or related programming language is required. Experience with mechatronics, signal processing, computational modeling, motion capture and/or biomechanical analyses of human movement is also an asset.

Application Information

Interested students should submit a CV, statement of interest, and names of two potential referees to the BFRC at the following email address: balance.falls@ubc.ca by the deadline of July 31st, 2025.

Applicants will be reviewed and a short interview may be requested. The successful candidate will be notified by no later than Sept 15th, 2025 and invited to apply for the PhD position within the School of Kinesiology to begin the graduate program in January 2026 or September 2026.

We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Any applicant requiring accommodation during the application process or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact either Dr. Mark Carpenter (mark.carpenter@ubc.ca) or Dr. Jean-Sébastien Blouin (jean-sebastien.blouin@ubc.ca).

Funding Information

Successful applicants will receive at least $24 000 per year for up to 4 years, in base-level financial support. Financial support would comprise a combination of Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships. Base-level support may be supplemented with internal and external Scholarships and other research funding depending on level of experience. Upon acceptance, the successful applicant will be encouraged to apply for external funding, if eligible.

Research Group

The UBC Balance and Falls Research Centre (co-directed by Drs. Jean-Sébastien Blouin and Mark Carpenter) unifies a world-class network of internationally-recognized scientists that inter-weaves fundamental balance & falls research, clinical balance assessment, and bio- engineering/technological advancements, to understand the sensorimotor control of human balance and factors that contribute to balance deficits and falls associated with age-related degenerative disorders, spinal cord injuries, vestibular disorders, brain injury and Parkinson’s disease.

The BFRC is situated in a new state-of-the-art research laboratory within the new UBC Gateway Building. The 60 m2 research facility will link community outreach facilities, Gateway health clinic and surrounding neuromechanical kinesiology labs co-located within the Gateway Building, and centralize activities with other research labs, clinical facilities, and centres of excellence across UBC and the Lower Mainland. The dedicated BFRC lab space will provide a critical hub to conduct collaborative multi-disciplinary research, concept testing and technological development for BFRC members, trainees, visiting researchers and partners. For more information on the BFRC, please visit https://balancefalls.ubc.ca/

The Balance and Falls Research Centre is committed to Inclusive Excellence as described in the UBC Strategic Plan. This commitment is a shared responsibility between all researchers, trainees, staff and industrial partners involved in the activities of the Centre. We make every effort to attract the best trainees from various natural and clinical science disciplines from diverse social identities. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion training is a requirement for all Centre members, both to foster our Inclusive learning environment and to empower trainees to become future leaders who value and foster inclusion. In the Balance and Falls Research Centre environment, we do not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination or bullying. In addition, UBC as an institution is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive living and learning environment with dedicated resources and services from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, UBC Service Centre, The Black Graduate Student Network and The First Nations House of Learning to support all students.

The post Call for PhD Applicants – UBC Balance and Falls Research Centre (BFRC) appeared first on ISPGR.

The School of Kinesiology, within UBC’s Faculty of Education, one of the world’s leading faculties of its kind, invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenured) in Biomechanics of Human Movement.

Situated on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xwmə0kwəy’əm (Musqueam) people in Vancouver, Canada, the School of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenured) position in Biomechanics of Human Movement. The appointment is expected to begin on January 1, 2026, or as mutually agreed upon between the University and the successful candidate.

The successful candidate must possess a PhD at the time of application in Kinesiology or a related field (e.g., Sport Science, Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering) and have expertise in human biomechanics. Post-doctoral training in human biomechanics is highly preferred. The successful candidate will contribute basic and applied research that supports the area of neuromechanical kinesiology. In addition to research into the biomechanical aspects of human movement, the successful candidate will be able to contribute to teaching in areas that require expertise and advanced knowledge in basic biomechanics and an applied area. This could include clinical biomechanics, injury biomechanics, occupational biomechanics, human factors, human robot interactions, or sports and exercise biomechanics.

The successful candidate must have: (a) a record of research dissemination, in terms of peer- reviewed articles in recognized academic journals in the field, and evidence of presentations at national and international scholarly conferences; (b) demonstrated ability (for the rank of Assistant Professor) to participate in scholarly activity and to secure competitive research funding (e.g., tri-council and partnership grants) in biomechanics, or evidence of a growing body of productive scholarly activity (for the rank of Associate Professor); (c) advanced knowledge and a demonstrated history of publications using biomechanical approaches in 3-Dimensional kinematics, kinetics, and dynamics of human movement; (d) demonstrated evidence of applying biomechanical techniques in applied setting; and (e) demonstrated potential (for the rank of Assistant Professor) or evidence (for the rank of Associate Professor) of successful teaching at all levels in biomechanics, as well as the ability to supervise and mentor graduate students. Research experience in electromyography, tissue mechanics, mechanical energy, wearable sensing and/or modelling is preferred.

The successful candidate is expected to establish a program of original, externally funded research (e.g., tri-council and partnership grants) and teach undergraduate courses in the School and contribute to the growth of the School through supervision of graduate students, participation in service activities within the University and in the broader scholarly community, and collaboration with scientists within the School and across Faculties at UBC.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach a core undergraduate course in biomechanics, as well as develop and teach a new advanced undergraduate course in injury biomechanics and another advanced applied biomechanics course (e.g., sport and exercise biomechanics, clinical biomechanics, occupational biomechanics, human factors, or biomechanics of real-world activities).

The annual teaching load for this position is 9 credits (equivalent to three courses). The successful candidate will be encouraged to participate in the School of Kinesiology Balance and Falls Research Centre and collaborate across the areas of neuromechanical kinesiology, as well as in other diverse research areas in the School and, more broadly, the University. The successful candidate will complement the School of Kinesiology’s strategic plans for interdisciplinary research excellence within the School and across Faculties at UBC and play a key role in generating and disseminating knowledge on the role of physical activity and health in diverse populations.

This is a tenure-track (Assistant Professor) or tenured (Associate Professor) position in the Professoriate stream. As an Assistant Professor, the successful candidate will be reviewed for reappointment, tenure, and promotion in subsequent years, in accordance with the Collective Agreement. As an Associate Professor, the appointment (rank and tenure) is subject to a positive review of the successful candidate’s record of achievements based on UBC’s appointment and tenure criteria as specified in the Collective Agreement, following the University’s established appointment processes. For more information on the review process and criteria for this stream, please visit this link. The position is subject to final budgetary approval. The expected pay range for this position is $150,000 – $165,000 per annum for an Assistant Professor, or $170,000 – $195,000 for an Associate Professor. Starting salary is determined both by the candidate’s qualifications and experience and by their placement on the career progress scale within the UBC Faculty of Education.

The School of Kinesiology currently has 31 full-time tenure stream faculty members, 1450 full- time undergraduate students, and 200 graduate students. We offer a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree with specializations in Neuromechanical and Physiological Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Multi-disciplinary Science. The graduate program includes M.A., M.Sc., Master of Kinesiology (non-thesis), Master of High Performance Coaching & Technical Leadership, and Ph.D. degrees spanning multiple disciplines in kinesiology. For further details about the School of Kinesiology and its research, please visit the School’s website at this link.

UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The UBC Faculty of Education is one of the leading Faculties of its kind in the world, often being tied for first in Canadian rankings and ranked among the top 20 globally. Our work advances educational research and understanding of teaching and learning in a way that affirms diversity, equity, and innovation, and takes part in international collaboration in an interdependent globe. We provide a comprehensive set of programmatic offerings at the baccalaureate, magisterial, and doctoral levels. For more information on the Faculty of Education, please visit this website.

The School of Kinesiology, the Faculty of Education, and UBC are dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and inclusive academic community. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to decolonizing, reconciliation, anti-racist, and social justice approaches to research, teaching, and service, and have a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and teaching effectively in a welcoming environment. For more information about the Faculty of Education’s commitments and work related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, please visit this link.

Interested applicants are invited to submit an application package that includes:

1. a cover letter indicating the position being sought (two pages maximum, and please indicate whether or not you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident);
2. curriculum vitae;
3. a five-year research plan;
4. a summary of teaching interests and philosophy (two to three pages maximum);
5. evidence of teaching excellence (such as course outlines and student evaluations if available);
6. three papers that are the most significant and relevant to your research interests;
7. an equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID) statement that describes and documents your contributions to EDID through your teaching, research, service, and community engagement, addressing the following three areas: (1) understanding of and knowledge about EDID, (2) track record in advancing EDID, and (3) future plans for EDID; and
8. names and contact details of three references. Letters of reference will only be requested for candidates who are advancing to the next stage in the search process.

Complete application files must be submitted in the format of one bookmarked PDF file, addressed to Dr. Robert Boushel, Director School of Kinesiology, and sent electronically to kin.hr@ubc.ca. Please indicate in the Subject Line: Biomechanics of Human Movement. Following the submission of the application, the applicant will receive an Equity Survey link via email. Completion of the Equity Survey is required as part of the application process. Accommodations are available on request for all applicants with disabilities at all stages of the search process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact educ.hr@ubc.ca.

While the search remains open until the position is filled, interested applicants are encouraged to submit their complete application package by June 15, 2025. Questions regarding this search and the application deadline should be directed to Dr. Robert Boushel, Director School of Kinesiology at kin.hr@ubc.ca.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

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The project will employ different movement analysis and psychometric measures to assess changes in biomechanical and psychological factors associated with balance and fall risk after a 4-week virtual-reality based combined action observation and motor imagery training intervention, with the ultimate aim to inform longer-term intervention strategies to improve balance and reduce fall risk in children with DCD. Under the supervision of Dr Adam Bruton and colleagues (Dr Carla Harkness-Armstrong, Dr Aliah Shaheen, the appointed candidate will work closely with the project team and take responsibility for the pilot work, recruitment, and data collection and analysis to help achieve the project objectives.

About you:

We are looking to recruit an excellent, highly motivated, and enthusiastic candidate. You will hold, or be working towards a PhD in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Neuroscience, Psychology, Movement/Sports Science, or another relevant discipline. Experience with relevant movement analysis methods (e.g., three-dimensional motion capture) and virtual reality technologies is required. It is also essential that the post-holder has a sufficient depth of knowledge about balance and postural control, and DCD. You should be able to demonstrate critical thinking, and be keen to learn and improve skills in a supportive research environment. Experience working with children and/or clinical populations such as those with movement disorders is desirable. You will become part of a multidisciplinary team, and the ability to work both independently and as a leader of a team are essential.

Main accountabilities:

• Pilot work (setup and refinement of data collection procedures, recording and development of intervention materials and procedures)
• Recruitment of children with DCD (~N=40), through existing links with national and local community groups (NB: ethical application process is ongoing)
• Scheduling and conducting testing sessions in the Biomechanics Laboratory
• Delivery of an at-home combined action observation and motor imagery balance training intervention using Meta Quest 3S and Rezzil Player virtual reality systems in children with DCD
• Assess changes in balance and postural control through quantitative measures, including movement analysis and self-report psychometric measures, and monitor adherence to and perceptions about the intervention using activity-tracking data and post-study interviews
• Collaborate in the preparation of project dissemination activities such as live presentations, demonstrations, recorded talks, magazine articles, infographics, and scientific reports/journal articles

Deadline: 30th June 2025.

Interested applicants should apply directly via the University’s website: https://careers.brunel.ac.uk/vacancy/research-assistant-research-fellow-16191-586614.html#utm_source=jobsacuk&utm_medium=jobboard&utm_content=586614&utm_campaign=online_recruitment

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