Doctoral Research Associate / EU MSCA Fellow
King’s College London invites applications for a PhD (research assistant (RA)) positions as part of the Translational Research Network in Motor Disorder Rehabilitation (TReND), a large European consortium supported by the Marie Sklodowska Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN). By joining the EU-funded Doctoral Network TReND you will join an interdisciplinary and intersectoral training network involving 6 beneficiaries, 2 employing associated partners and several other associated partners. The network will provide online and in-person training to support the fellows in obtaining their doctorate degree, including a secondment to one consortium partner.
The project is multidisciplinary with researchers from the fields of human movement science, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, neuroscience and computer science. The doctoral candidate will be under the supervision of Doctors Crina Grosan and Marco Davare and co-supervision of Dr Verity McClelland and Academic Advisor Prof. Dido Green. During the program, the student will be expected to undertake a secondment of 3 months at one of our MSCA-DN Partners, under supervision of the lead supervisor(s) at that institute.
Working tasks
This position is tied to working towards a doctorate. The doctoral project will be based on empirical data collected at Kings College London and at clinical facilities at the Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Under supervision, you will carry out data analysis using advanced machine learning models.
The Doctoral Candidate will be based in the division of Digital Health and Applied Technology Assessment (DHATA), Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care (NMPC). King’s NMPC is a world leader in nursing, midwifery, allied health and palliative care education and research. King’s is ranked no 1 in the world for Nursing (QS world rankings). DHATA focuses on technological innovations and the use of new evidence-based technologies in clinical care.
The candidate will be required to:
Ø Develop and follow an individual study plan focusing on movement variability analysis and its potential role in the motor learning
Ø Carry out research, publish scientific articles and write a PhD thesis
Ø Communicate and disseminate research results to different target audiences and sectors (e.g., research, clinical and industry)
Ø Publish research results in well ranked international journals and at highly recognized international conferences
Ø Collaborate with an international consortium in the externally funded MSCA doctoral network TReND
Ø Participate in the network’s training programme including in person events (e.g., summer schools) and online events (e.g., lecture series, colloquia etc.).
For full eligibility requirements for a position as a Doctoral Student at King’s College London, see Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Role description
Doctoral Research Assistant
EU MSCA Fellow
Details about salary can be found on the MSCA website
This position is tied to working towards a doctorate and is fully funded (including tuition fees) by EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network “Translational Research Network in Motor Disorder Rehabilitation: Advancing understanding of variability in motor control and learning, to enhance clinical practice (TReND)” commencing on 1 October 2025. We are offering a fixed-term full-time position for 3 years until 30 September 2028. More Information about the project can be found here.
The research assistant will use advanced machine learning models (including deep learning) to:
- investigate bimanual control and motor interference (mirror movements) alongside haptic, spatial, and temporal adjustments during randomly imposed manipulations for grasp requirements in individuals with Developmental Coordination Disorder, children and adults with unilateral and bilateral cerebral palsy and adult stroke survivors.
- Utilise non-invasive neurophysiological techniques (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) to map typical and atypical trial to trial variability during task training and transfer to functional daily bimanual tasks in children and adults with unilateral and bilateral cerebral palsy and adult stroke survivors.
Key responsibilities
- Communication and dissemination of research results to different target audiences and sectors (e.g., research, clinical and industry).
- Publication of research results in well ranked international journals and at highly recognized international conferences.
- Collaboration with an international consortium in the externally funded MSCA doctoral network TReND
- Participation in the network’s training programme including in person events (e.g., summer schools) and online events (e.g., lecture series, colloquia etc.).
- The position is tied to working towards a doctorate.
- Willingness to visit network partners in Israel, Tel Aviv and Sweeden, Jönköping, for a maximum duration of three months per visit.
Candidate requirements
Essential:
- A degree in computer science, biomedical engineering or related studies is required.
- Advanced knowledge in programming skills and data analysis tools (e.g., R, MATLAB, Python).
- Knowledge of time-series analysis
- MSCA mobility rule must be implemented: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment (1 October 2025)
- Candidates are not allowed to hold a doctoral degree.
- Knowledge in human movement science, Parkinson Disease, or neuroscience methods (EEG or fNIRS)
- Good knowledge of statistical methods
- Good command of written and spoken English.
- Willingness to travel to different international network events.
Desirable:
- Solid knowledge in human movement analysis (e.g., motion tracking, force control) or neuroscience methods (e.g., EEG, fNIRS)
- Previous experience in working with human subjects and patients
- Team-oriented, good communication skills, organisational skills, can work independently
Benefits of joining TReND
- By joining the EU-funded Doctoral Network TReND you will join an interdisciplinary and intersectorial training network involving 6 beneficiaries, 2 employing associated partners and several associated partners. The network will provide online and in-person training to support the fellows in obtaining their doctorate degree including 2 secondments to consortium partners.
- Appreciation, commitment, openness and respect – values which are important to us.
- Our broad range of diverse work-time models offers great flexibility – also when working from home.
Recruitment process
- Please note that the other network partners will also be involved in the selection process and that your documents will be passed on to the other members of the MSCA doctoral network in this context.
- In addition to the two positions offered here, 10 more doctoral projects are available in the TReND network (overview of projects can be found here: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Sportwissenschaft/Neuromotor-Behavior/forschung/trend/index.html ).
- The following documents must be included in the application:
o A personal statement
o A research proposal
o CV in English (preferably in EU pass format) that should include details about education/qualifications, work experience, language skills and other relevant skills
o Transcripts of your previous qualifications (with official English translations if not originally in English)
o Two academic references.
o Any English language qualifications that you have (if your first language is not English).
o Any other document the candidate considers important
- Please provide all your documents in one PDF file.
- The applications will be evaluated by the TReND selection committee and suitable candidates are invited for online interviews.
How to applyApplication closing date: Wednesday 11th of June 2025
To be considered for the studentship, candidates must apply via the King’s Apply online application system.
Please include all the required documents mentioned as part of the application process. Also, include the supervisor name (Crina Grosan) and mention that you are applying for the TReND position.
Interviews are expected to take place online in the second half of June – first week of July.
For any further details about the position and to verify the suitability for this PhD, we encourage applicants to contact Dr. Crina Grosan: crina.grosan@kcl.ac.uk .
