Curriculum vitae
Timo Rantalainen, PhD
Sport scientist and algorithm developer. I spent fifteen years in academic biomechanics in Finland and Australia, building the numerical analysis behind my research, and now develop real-time measurement software as a consultant.
- tjrantal@gmail.com
- github.com/tjrantal
- ORCID 0000-0001-6977-4782
- Jyväskylä, Finland
Profile
Data analysis and algorithm development are my strengths. My research output (168 peer-reviewed articles) rests on programming: automated analysis pipelines and new algorithms for medical images, inertial sensors and video. I take methods from a Python prototype to production code in Java, C++ and Android, and I publish my tools as open source. Since 2024 I have worked as a sole proprietor, doing algorithm development and numerical analysis for sport and wellness technology.
Technical skills
Languages
Python (numpy, pandas, scipy), Java (including Android), C++, Matlab/Octave, some C for microcontrollers
Signal and image analysis
Inertial sensor and accelerometry analysis, FFT and spectral methods, camera calibration, image registration, segmentation, nonlinear least squares
Machine learning
Fine-tuning open-source models (e.g. YOLOX) on custom labelled data, ONNX export and on-device inference with OpenCV DNN
Platforms
Android NDK, Oboe, Vulkan compute, OpenCV, ImageJ/Fiji, Movesense and other embedded devices, Linux (daily since 2008), CSC HPC clusters, Git
Employment
-
2025–Chief Scientific Officer, Partner, nro.one Jyväskylä, Finland
Algorithm development, measurement methods development, validation.
-
2024–Sole proprietor, Rantalainen Sports Science Consulting Jyväskylä, Finland
Algorithm development, numerical analysis and data visualisation for sport and wellness technology clients, including Good Boost (UK). Development of camera- and sensor-based measurement apps.
-
2024–2025Data Scientist (20%), Finnish Institute of High Performance Sport KIHU Jyväskylä, Finland
Lead data analyst. Led the initiative to move athlete data into structured databases with enforced metadata.
-
2024–2025Senior Researcher (20%), Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences University of Jyväskylä, Finland
-
2017–2024Academy Research Fellow / Senior Researcher, Gerontology Research Center University of Jyväskylä, Finland
Led a research group on bodily movement and quality of life in old age, built on wearable-sensor analysis of free-living movement.
-
2013–2017Lecturer in Biomechanics / Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
-
2012–2013Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Health Sciences University of Jyväskylä, Finland
-
2011–2012Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
-
2010–2011Researcher, Laboratory of Machine Design Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland
Education
-
2015Title of Docent Numerical Methods in Biomechanics, including Experimental Motion Capture and Determining Model Parameters. Lappeenranta University of Technology
-
2010Doctor of Sport Sciences (Biomechanics) University of Jyväskylä. Thesis: Neuromuscular Function and Bone Geometry and Strength in Aging. Best Doctoral Thesis award, National Doctoral Programme of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Biomaterials
-
2009Pedagogical studies (60 ECTS) University of Jyväskylä
-
2005Master of Sport Sciences (Biomechanics) University of Jyväskylä
Research record
- Funding as PI includes an Academy of Finland Research Fellowship with project funding (2019–2024, €938k), the Academy of Finland consortium Remote Virtual Physiotherapist (2022–2026, €321k), and a State Research Funding project on lumbar spine mechano-ontogeny (2025–2026, €55k).
- Co-investigator on projects funded by the Academy of Finland, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish Defence Forces, and Defence Science Centre WA / Department of Defence, Australia.
- Supervision: 1 PhD as primary and 9 as co-supervisor, 10 Master's and 6 Honours degrees, and 4 postdoctoral researchers.
- Editorial work: Section editor, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, and editor, Scientific Reports (2022–2023). Advisory board, Journal of Sports Sciences (2017–2020).
- Industry collaborations with sports organisations including Raita Sport, Athletic Club Bilbao, Fremantle Dockers and Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho.
Open-source software and apps
- Flight Plate Monitor & Flight Plate Control: real-time disc golf launch analysis on Android and iOS. Details
- Audio FFT Visualise: real-time multiple-pitch estimation, Android. Google Play
- pQCT / density distribution: bone image analysis, integrated into BoneJ. GitHub
- RoiAnalyzer: MRI segmentation plugin for ImageJ. GitHub
- Counter-movement jump height from inertial sensors: open method and tutorial, reported to have been adopted in a Polar Electro wearable. cmj.sport.jyu.fi
- Activity Reminder & PA tracker: Android app that prompts users to break up long sitting bouts (600+ installs). GitHub
- MovePacer: real-time audio feedback on heart rate, cadence and running speed, Android. Google Play
Teaching
- Lecturer and campus chair for undergraduate biomechanics units at Deakin University (up to 300 students per unit, 2013–2017). Trained and supervised 7–10 teaching aides each year.
- Developed courses on biosignal processing and on wearable-sensor measurement for the University of Jyväskylä (including a MOOC) and XAMK University of Applied Sciences.
Honours
- Adjunct Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University, Australia (2017–2023)
- Adjunct Research Fellow, University of Notre Dame Australia (2017–2022)
- Honorary Fellow, Deakin University, Australia (2018–2021)
- Young Investigator Award, Finnish Society of Sport Sciences (2008)
- Young Researcher Travel Award, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (2007)
Languages
Finnish (native) · English (fluent, C2) · Swedish (basic, A1–A2)