Master's/Bachelor's thesis (f/m/x) in the field of musculoskeletal modelling

28.04.2026, Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

Your thesis at the German Aerospace Center in Oberpfaffenhofen focuses on developing and linking simulation models for human–aircraft interaction. The main task is to connect the DLR HumanBody model with a detailed musculoskeletal model in OpenSim to estimate muscle forces and operator loads within flight simulations. This includes developing the interface between both models, and validating results with experimental data colected in your own motion tracking experiments

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

In the department of Flight Control and Simulation we develop numerical simulation models of aircrafts and flight controllers, which are then tested in our dynamic motion simulation center (DMSC). Thereby, the human operator has a crucial impact on the whole human-aircraft system, in the worst case leading to unstable behavior. Thus, the consideration of the human operator already in the numerical simulation would be highly beneficial. Our activities aligned with the so called DLR HumanBody Library aim on the development of such a model suitable for human-vehicle systems assessment. In your thesis you will connect both the simplified but computational efficient HumanBody library and a detailed musculoskeletal model using the software OpenSim. With your work you will enable the estimation of individual muscle forces and loads of human operators already in the simulation.

• Familiarize with the open source musculoskeletal human model OpenSim and its features
• Familiarize with the DLR HumanBody Library (Modelica)
• Develop an interface between the HumanBody library and OpenSim in order to derive individual muscle activations and loads from a musculoskeletal model
• Conduct your own subject study using our optical motion tracking system to validate your approach

• First experiences in programing/ modelling languages such as C/C++, Python, Matlab or Modelica
• Enrollment in mechanical engineering, informatics or a comparable study programme, ideally with focus on modelling and simulation
• Interest in working in an innovative and interdisciplinary field
• Being able to work responsibly and independently

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

Kontakt: Tobias Treichl, mail: tobias.treichl@dlr.de / go46meq@mytum.de