Joint PhD: Prevent Falls with Augmented Reality (FallAR) at Maastricht & Hasselt University

Welcome to Maastricht University and UHasselt! 
Preventing falls? It can be done better. FallAR uses augmented reality to measure and improve fall risk in a task-specific manner. You will be researching the potential future of fall prevention.

Our goal: To reduce fall risk using smart, accessible technology – with impact in daily life.
Your colleagues: A collaborative team of researchers in Maastricht, Hasselt and beyond, working at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

As a PhD student, you will investigate the use of new augmented-reality (AR) technology to evaluate and train the risk of falling. Central to the project is to assess the validity, feasibility and clinical effectiveness of the new AR technology for measuring and reducing the risk of falling in fall-prone populations. Project FallAR   aims to reduce the incidence, costs and health impact of walking-related falls. At the end of the project, we foresee academic impact by developing a novel conceptual fall risk approach with practical societal impact by delivering a validated, feasible and effective AR evaluation and treatment application in collaboration with Strolll. 

Your main tasks are:

• Co-develop the FallAR fall risk evaluation application and assess its reliability and validity, e.g. in comparison with the Hasselt and Maastricht CAREN systems. 
• Conduct a feasibility study of FallAR fall prevention training at home, with a focus on safety, adherence, usability of personalized AR exercises, and insight into the required number of sessions and participants for follow-up RCT.
• Lead a pragmatic RCT of the FallAR fall prevention training implemented in the Dutch and Flemish clinical pathway to improve clinical, lab-based and FallAR fall risk evaluation-based fall risk indicators.
• Write scientific papers and present at international scientific conferences;
• Teach and supervise students within different Bachelor and Master courses. 

What you bring
We’re looking for someone who combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on mindset. You are eager to explore how technology can make a real difference in people’s lives.

• You hold a relevant master’s degree –  in Human Movement Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Physiotherapy, or (Technical) Medicine, or similar.
• You are curious about technology in healthcare – especially AR applications for older adults.
• You’re fluent in both Dutch and English – for engaging with participants and publishing your research.
• You work in a structured and goal-oriented way – strong problem-solving skills, pragmatism, flexibility, organizational capacity, and stress resistance describe your skillset.  You are someone who sees the work and can deliver.
• You have experience with clinical or experimental research – ideally in fall prevention, physical interventions, or medical ethics procedures.
• You are a team player – comfortable working across disciplines in a collaborative, open environment.
• You value transparency and open science – and you’re excited to work within a public-private partnership like international company for medical software applications for AR glasses (Strolll Ltd, UK, Strolll Inc, US). 

What we offer
A joint PhD program between the UHasselt and Maastricht University. 

The project will be 4 years. The first two years you will be employed at UHasselt and the last two years you will be employed at Maastricht University. 

Employment conditions UHasselt 

• More information about Employment conditions at UHasselt can be found here

Employment conditions at Maastricht University 

• At Maastricht University you will be graded in  graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary €3.537 in year 3 and €3707 in year 4. In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

UHasselt
UHasselt is a civic university committed to making and keeping this Region strong – a good place to build a future, a career, a business, a home, a life. Click here for more information. 

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total. 

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+).  FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+). 

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.
 

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Christopher McCrum at chris.mccrum@maastrichtuniversity.nl / +31 43 3881621 or Dr. Melvyn Roerdink at melvyn.roerdink@maastrichtuniversity.nl / +31 6 15012997 for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD Candidate? Apply now, no later than August 31st 2025, for this position.
 

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list and contact information of 2 referees, 

The first interviews preferably take place in the week beginning September 15th 2025. 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.