Jaap van Dieën has been affiliated to the Faculty of Human Movement Sciences at the VU University Amsterdam the Netherlands since 1996. In 2002, he was appointed as professor of biomechanics and Head of Department since 2016. He leads a research group focusing on mechanical aspects of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Ongoing research primarily focuses on posture and gait in relation to ageing and disorders of the spine, lower extremities and central nervous system.

Jaap has (co-) authored over 400 papers in international scientific journals and numerous abstracts and book chapters in the international literature and publications. He was an editor of the European Journal of Applied Physiology and section editor of Human Movement Sciences and serves on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology and the editorial board of Clinical Biomechanics, Manual therapy, IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors and the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.