Martin van der Esch is a research physiotherapist, clinical epidemiologist and teacher. His current positions are: associate professor, senior lecturer and researcher at the School of Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam (Hogeschool van Amsterdam). He is senior researcher at Reade, Centre for Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, Amsterdam in collaboration with the Amsterdam UMC, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Scientifically, he is experienced in conducting epidemiological and biomechanical studies.

Martin’s research focuses on conservative non-drug management of musculoskeletal conditions, in particular osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an emphasis on the role of knee instability in both the onset and progression of OA and associated activity limitations. He also focuses on exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with a high cardiovascular risk.

He coordinates a cohort of knee and hip OA patients at Reade, is a member of the scientific board of Reade, member of the ethics committee of the University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool van Amsterdam) and is chair of the curriculum program commission of the School for Physiotherapy. He supervises PhD students, in the fields of rheumatology, rehabilitation medicine, physiotherapy and movement sciences.