EngD Program at TU/e
Are you fascinated by application of electromagnetics (EM) for healthcare? Are you eager to improve cancer treatment using advanced sensing technology? Within the project RADIATHE, we have a vacancy for a highly motivated EngD student. In this post-master’s program, you will work on techniques to sense and control thermotherapy, as well as use MRI temperature measurements to validate and improve upon these. You will exploit modelling and experimentation to validate your findings, leading to a potential uptake for clinical testing and next to a certified medical product.
Description of the RADIATHE project
The project is a consortium of a research institute (TU/e), an academic hospital (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam) and a company (Sensius Thermotherapy) that aims to facilitate the widespread adoption of thermotherapy by developing a comprehensive quality assurance program to control real-time dosimetry. Clinical studies showed that thermotherapy, heating of tumors to 40-44˚C, significantly enhances the therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy without adding side effects. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided thermotherapy was developed for monitoring temperature, but this approach is too expensive for broad application in general hospitals. RADIATHE will develop tightly controlled thermotherapy using advanced electromagnetic sensing and validate it using MRI based thermometry. In this way, controlled treatment can be delivered to a large group of cancer patients, for improving cure and/or decreasing toxicity without the need for MRI.
Tasks for the EngD in the project
In this project, you will work on a project aimed at developing a reliable “push-button” quality assurance system for head and neck thermotherapy applicators. The main objective of this project is to quantitatively control the power deposition and heating delivered to a patient during a thermotherapy treatment. To achieve the goals, we will determine the optimal sensor technology for instant and dynamic 3D electric field measurements and integrate the sensing technology into patient anatomy mimicking setups. A user-friendly interface and fast workflow will be developed for wider adoption. To validate the device, a new measurement strategy will be implemented at Erasmus MC based on MR thermometry. Hence, while you will work on the electromagnetic sensing, there will be a close cooperation with the Radiotherapy group of Erasmus MC for validation. You will be partly based at Sensius BV in Rotterdam since this connection ensures timely commercial uptake.
Applicants must have or expect to receive a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics, or equivalent. The selection of candidates is based on advanced-level courses, thesis work, and the interview process. During the interview process, emphasis will be placed on not just the educational qualifications but also the ability for creative thinking, teamwork competencies, and personal motivation. Although not mandatory, experience in the field of microwave sensing technology using integrated circuit and optical techniques, and solid coding skills, e.g. in Matlab, Python, or equivalent will be advantageous.
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an international setting with a close relationship to industry. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
About us
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a research university specializing in engineering science and technology. The Center for Care & Cure Technologies Eindhoven (www.tue.nl/c3te) stands for a healthy population and excellence in healthcare. We conduct groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way in research, education, and healthcare. We are practical people with a high level of expertise, working in collaborative and multidisciplinary settings to renew healthcare of today and public health of tomorrow.
The work will be partly carried out in the Electromagnetics for Care & Cure lab of the Electromagnetics group that conducts, amongst others, research in the field of TT, MRI-engineering, neurotechnology, and in/on body communication (www.tue.nl/em4c&c). Our lab is an informal and inspiring environment, consisting of permanent staff members, a group of PhD students and guest (associate) professors from clinics and industry. What drives us is that we share the common goal: use electromagnetics to make healthcare better!
Another part of the project will be carried out at Sensius BV in Rotterdam (www.sensiusthermotherapy.com). Sensius is a start-up that markets, develops, produces and services solutions for TT. Sensius mission is to demonstrate the value of personalized TT, in close cooperation with Erasmus MC and research clinics throughout Europe. Starting with head and neck cancer, Sensius BV engages in R&D activities with TU/e and Erasmus MC to advance translation of technology and therapy towards broad application of TT for patients. Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a EngD student at TU/e? Please view the video.
Information
If you think you are a good fit for this profile and are excited to work on exciting challenges, or would you like to know more about this project, please contact: prof. dr. Maarten Paulides (m.m.paulides[at]tue.nl) or Kemal Sumser (k.sumser[at]tue.nl).
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR services (HRServices.Flux[at]tue.nl)
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page and www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/.
Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a
We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.