Marie-Curie (MSCA) PhD Position: Application of system thinking and system safety to head-foot steering system for your powered wheelchair (AERIALIST DC1)

Job title:

Marie-Curie (MSCA) PhD Position: Application of system thinking and system safety to head-foot steering system for your powered wheelchair (AERIALIST DC1)

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Job description

Offer DescriptionThe increasing internal complexity of assistive devices, coupled with the trend toward self-adaptability and the integration of AI and ML, presents significant challenges in ensuring safety throughout the entire lifecycle. This complexity not only extends to the technical aspects but also to the interaction between users and the technology. Traditional hazard-and-risk analysis techniques typically operate under the assumption that random failures of individual components lead to accidents, thereby overlooking these emerging safety challenges. To address this evolving landscape, it becomes imperative to develop novel hazard-and-risk analysis techniques that reframe safety as a control problem10, considering both component reliability and the dynamic interplay of human interaction with the system.
In this doctoral position advancing you will develop new techniques to eliminate emerging hazard-and-risk through an analysis that reframes safety as a dynamic control problem, moving away from the traditional component-failure approach. This innovative approach takes into account not only component reliability but also the dynamic interplay between users and the technology, strengthening the safety-assurance case for assistive devices.
Your mission:

• Formulate a novel hazard analysis methodology integrating STAMP and STPA, involving human interaction in the assessment of powered wheelchair risks;
• Assess the efficacy of the developed methodology through application to two distinct use case studies.

Expected Results:

• A hazard and risk analysis methodologies for assistive health technology based on Systems Thinking and Systems Theory,
• Illustrate this using two use cases
• An assurance case patterns for evaluating and arguing the dependability of powered wheelchairs

Where to apply WebsiteRequirementsResearch Field Computer science Education Level Master Degree or equivalentResearch Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalentLanguages ENGLISH Level GoodAdditional InformationBenefitsThis position is a Marie Slodowska-Curie scholarship from the European Commission.We offer:

• A fully funded 3-year PhD scholarship (extendable to 4 years)
• Next to you monthly grant, you have a living allowance to travel abroad and to finanance your secondments. If you have a family, you can obtain a family allowance.
• Specialized doctoral training to boost your expertise.
• Opportunities to collaborate in groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and participate in international conferences.
• Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and a range of university benefits (health insurance, etc.).
• A dynamic, passionate team of fellow PhD students and test engineers.

Full details can be consulted at
In this topic you will be working together with University of Zurich (Switserland) and the Spanish National Research Counsil (CSIC, Madrid).Eligibility criteria

• We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, passionate, and communicative researcher who holds a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering, computer science or Mechanical Engineering, with outstanding academic achievements (top 5%).
• You should show a high affinity with electromagnetic compatibility and software.
• Knowledge of the biomedical application domain is an asset
• You are skilled in modelling and programming of embedded software
• You have good communication skills and are able to build a network
• You have a critical mindset and are able to formulate your own research questions

Selection processFor more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Hans Hallez, tel.: +32 50 66 48 38, mail: or Prof. dr. ir. Davy Pissoort, tel.: +32 50 66 48 49, mail: apply using the online form at
Don’t forget to submit:- A consice CV- A motivation letter- Transcripts of your Bachelor and Master- at least 2 references which we will contact.
You can apply for this job no later than 01/10/2025 via theWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute KU Leuven Country Belgium State/Province West-Vlaanderen City Brugge Postal Code 8000 Street Brugge GeofieldContact State/ProvinceBrugge CityWest-Vlaanderen StreetBrugge Postal Code8000 E-Mailhans.hallez@kuleuven.beSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

Location

Bruges, Flandre-Occidentale

Job date

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:18:14 GMT

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