Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Europe, with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Current monitoring and subsequent treatment options take into account only very simple geometrical generalized parameters, while patients could benefit substantially from the inclusion of personalized local blood flow patterns into therapy guidance. In this project, novel ultrasound-based flow imaging techniques will be developed specifically for carotid and abdominal applications. This project will make use of the newest ultrafast ultrasound plane wave technology plane wave combined with the new CMUT transducer technology to image flow in the carotid. Flow imaging in the deeper aorta will be enabled by ultrasound contrast agents.

The candidate will use these new technologies implemented in a research grade ultrasound machine (Verasonics Vantage 256), to develop new techniques and sequences for flow imaging. The candidate will also use commercial contrast agents and next generation monodisperse contrast microbubbles to come to a fundamental and quantitative understanding of the behavior of contrast microbubbles in a plane- and diverging-wave imaging field. The approach requires investigating non-linear bubble dynamics, including the effect of bubble-bubble interactions, using combined acoustic detection and optical characterization by means of the Brandaris-128 ultra-high-speed imaging facility. In this PhD project, the candidate will be in charge of the in vitro development and will support the subsequent in vivo measurements in patients that will use his/her findings.

This project will be performed in collaboration with leading global imaging (Philips), contrast agents (Bracco) and interventional device (Medtronic) industry.

Keywords: ultrasound/flow imaging/(monodisperse) microbubble/plane wave ultrasound/ultrafast imaging

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a MSc degree in Technical medicine, (biomedical) engineering, physics, micro or nanotechnology, or related topic. You should be an enthusiastic person with well-developed communication skills. You should be capable of working independently as well as in a multidisciplinary team. Innovative and creative thinking are other requirements.

Information and application

If this offer interests you, please contact Prof. Michel Versluis (m.versluis@utwente.nl) or Prof. Chris de Korte (Chris.deKorte@radboudumc.nl) for more information. Your application must consist of a short motivation letter, a curriculum vitae and Copies of relevant diplomas and grade lists. Candidates should upload their application before 1 august 2019 using the application button below.

As a PhD candidate you will be offered a full-time (38 hours/week) position for four years, after which you should have completed your PhD thesis. In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the gross monthly salary for a PhD increases from € 2325,-- in the first year to € 2972,-- in the final year plus a holiday allowance (8%), an end-year bonus (8.3% of the annual salary) and a number of additional benefits. The University of Twente provides excellent campus facilities, and actively supports professional and personal development.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and 2000 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.