Richard Goossens is also professor of Physical Ergonomics at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. The emphasis of his research is on ergonomics / human factors in relation to product innovation in order to establish safe, comfortable and error-free task fulfilment in complex multi-user situations in a medical setting. The goal is to generate design requirements, methods and product(services). The requirements should anticipate the implementation of these products on a large scale and daily use.

At the faculty of Industrial Design Engineering he established the master track Medisign, design innovation for Healthcare (Human Centered Healthcare) that involves co-creation with patients, medical professionals, and non-professional users (family and friends) in different projects. Already over 1000 alumni followed this track.

He initiated design research project that envision a future such as the Surgeons Cockpit, that focusses on the quality in surgical performance, HIPP a project that generates a long term vision for the future of cure and care for orthopedic patients, and Consultation Room of the Future to create the medical consultation of the future, where access to and integration of data enhance the doctor-patient relationship. All projects aim to advance the quality of care, cure and prevention through design innovation.

Academic Background

After obtaining a master degree in Mechanical Engineering (specialism Robotics) in 1989, Richard Goossens got his PhD in Biomechanics of Body support in 1994. His drive is his passion about the connection between healthcare and design, therefore he established the master track 'Medisign' in 1996. In 2009 he became a full professor Physical Ergonomics, and in 2012 he was appointed a Medical Delta professor (with an extra appointment in Erasmus Medical Center). From 2017 onwards he is the Chair of the Delft Health Initiative with its mission to bring together researchers involved in health research and innovation, in order to focus TU Delft expertise and contribute to pioneering health technologies within relevant (inter)national research programs.