PhD on Photoacoustic imaging of Osteoarthritis

Job description

• Are you inspired by health care challenges?
• Are you eager to work on new, cutting-edge, technological developments in the area of medical optics and ultrasound, and bring them to the clinic?
• Are you our next PhD-candidate in novel and advanced photoacoustic imaging for diagnostics and monitoring?

Job Description

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and chronic joint disease. Worldwide it affects more than 10% of the people aged 60 years and older, being a major source of pain, disability, and socioeconomic cost. OA generally starts with cartilage damage, and it also involves other joint tissues, such as subchondral bone, ligaments and menisci, and the progression differs per patient. All of this presents  clinicians with important challenges. Therefore, a new imaging method is needed that allows early diagnosis and reliable monitoring of OA, which is crucial to enable timely and effective interventions, help achieving better disease control, and postpone the most invasive interventions such as total joint arthroplasty.

Spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging (sPA) can reveal damage-related tissue degradation based on PA spectral contrast in the joint. In this project, the potential of sPA imaging to characterize various tissue damage related to OA progression will be explored. An advanced data processing tool (can be combined with DL methods) will be created and validated on human joint tissue samples. To move towards clinical translation, a realistic PA simulation framework for OA imaging (digital twin of the joint tissues) will be developed, the feasibility and requirements of an in vivo sPA imaging system will be investigated and a prototype for non-invasive OA imaging will be developed. It will accelerate the clinical translation of the PA technique and potentially improve the management of OA in the future.

The candidate will work on the development of a novel photoacoustic imaging system for OA imaging, using advanced optical and acoustic hardware based on a Fujifilm Visualsonics platform, developing a realistic PA simulation framework for joint imaging, optimizing/developing the algorithms (such as image reconstruction/compounding, clutter reduction, fluence/speed of sound correction) to improve the imaging quality towards final in vivo application. Besides, a mini-invasive PA arthroscope for OA imaging will be designed based on simulations.

The position will be based at the Photoacoustics & Ultrasound Lab Eindhoven (PULS/e) in the Department of Biomedical Engineering under the supervision of dr.ir. M. Wu, dr.ir. R.G.P. Lopata (head of PULS/e group) and dr. R.P.A. Janssen (Orthopedic knee surgeon at Maxima medical center). The PULS/e group consists of a multi-disciplinary and international team of researchers that work on novel imaging US techniques, photoacoustics, image reconstruction, functional imaging, and model-based image analysis. Within this project you will be closely collaborating with Maxima medical center and Fujifilm Visualsonics.

Next to the research described above, you will supervise MSc / BSc students that will work on projects within the scope of your own.

Job requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering or Physics
• Affinity with photoacoustics, ultrasound, optics, or a comparable domain
• Experience with image processing, programming (and imaging physics), imaging system design/hardware, instrument control will be considered as relevant added values.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
• Good presentation skills, required to present your work for a scientific audience.

Conditions of employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2.541,- max. € 3.247,- gross per month).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager Richard Lopata, Associate Professor, r.lopata[at]tue.nl
or +31 40 247 4878.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Sascha Sanchez – Van Oort, HR Manager, s.j.m.g.sanchez.van.oort[at]tue.nl or +31 40 247 7310.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.

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.