As the successful candidate for this position, you will be working on the development of a new system for mitigating chronic neuropathic pain, using a new electrode implant designed in our group. We’ve known for some decades now that electrical stimulation of the dorsal columns in the spinal cord (SCS, spinal cord stimulation) can block the transmission of pain signals to the brain. The current clinical SCS technique uses electrodes on a catheter, which needs to be placed within the very vulnerable epidural space, at the risk of infection or connective tissue formation.

Our new approach (SNAP, Safe Neurostimulation Against Pain) is also based on SCS, but uses electrodes that can be placed safely outside the vulnerable epidural space. This requires a multi-electrode configuration with a feedback control mechanism to produce the correct field distribution.

This is a very challenging but rewarding project that integrates elements of physiology, anatomy and technology (electromagnetism), as well as mathematical modeling. Your work will consist largely of lab experiments and measurements on in-vitro tissue samples, as well as on post-mortem human remains from the section ward.

As the ideal candidate for this position, you have completed an MSc in Technical Medicine, SUMMA-tech or have obtained a comparable education focusing on clinical aspects of Medical Technology. You have a sound understanding of anatomy and physiology, good mathematical and logical thinking, and a strong interest in surgical devices and surgical skills. Important personal qualities include enthusiasm, curiosity, creative thinking, ability to cooperate in a multi-disciplinary team and motivation. You are also willing to work extensively with post-mortem human spines, using surgical techniques to insert and test electrode implants.

Fixed-term contract: temporary appointment for 2,5 years.

For this 100% post, the maximum salary will be € 3000,- . This will be a temporary appointment for 2.5 years.

University Medical Centre Utrecht

With over 1,100 beds and more than 11,000 employees, the University Medical Center Utrecht is one of the largest academic health care centers in the Netherlands. Our aim is to improve. Our patients’ health, but also our students and employees. Whether you are a doctor or a business economist, a researcher or a SAP-specialist: working with us means having a job that matters, access to the best facilities and the opportunity to grow as a professional and contribute towards innovative health care.

Scientific research at the UMC Utrecht is rooted in the world around us. We listen to people; the wishes and needs of patients come first. Together with our national and international partners, we invest in innovation and research in order to ensure that our care remains of the highest quality. Focus is pivotal in this, which is why we have concentrated our research in six programs:

·       Brain

·       Infection & Immunity

·       Circulatory Health

·       Personalized Cancer Care

·       RM & Stem Cells

·       Child Health

SNAP project

The Research Group working on the SNAP project is an enthusiastic multidisciplinary team made up of Dr. Bart van Wijck (Anesthesiologist and principal researcher in the field of chronic pain mitigation at UMCU), Prof. N. Ramsey (Neuroscience, UMCU), Prof. A. van der Zwan (Neurosurgery, UMCU) and Prof. R. Bleys (Clinical Anatomy, UMCU).

The Principal Investigator, and SNAP Project Leader is Dr Maurits Konings, who invented the SNAP method, and has extensive experience with mathematical modeling of electric field distributions from electrodes inside tissues. Dr Konings is assistant professor at the department of Medical Technology and Clinical Physics (MTKF) at UMCU.

With over 1,100 beds and more than 11,000 employees, the University Medical Center Utrecht is one of the largest academic health care centers in the Netherlands. Scientific research at UMCU is rooted in the world around us. Together with our national and international partners, we invest in innovation and research in order to ensure that our care remains of the highest quality. We have concentrated our research efforts in six programs: Brain, Infection & Immunity, Circulatory Health, Personalized Cancer Care, RM & Stem Cells, and Child Health.