This PhD position is available for a fixed term of 3 years to perform research concerning subjective and objective cochlear implant (CI) performance in genotyped patients to improve preoperative patient counselling. CI is a very successful type of rehabilitation for patients with severe to profound hearing impairment. Hearing impairment is in about half of these patients caused by inherited disorders. Moreover, an etiological diagnosis of deafness, including genetic screening, has shown to be the single largest predictor of postoperative speech outcomes in adult cochlear implant recipients.

This project is divided into three parts: First, a retrospective cohort review will be performed of all (~2,100) currently known CI recipients in the Radboudumc with a genetic diagnosis (~400); Second, additional tests in a subset of the patients will be performed, based on their genetic profile and the expected cochlear site-of-lesion. The results will be further correlated to postoperative performance, degree of hearing preservation, and type of implanted electrode. Finally, a prospective study will be performed that evaluates the use of objective preoperative measurements, such as ECochG, in CI recipients and compares the results with intraoperative and postoperative measurements, underlying genetics, type of electrode and CI performance after 1 year. The research will be conducted at the ENT department of the Radboud University Medical Center and for some of these studies the candidate will collaborate at national (DOOFNL consortium) and international levels.).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop and prepare a CI implantation database of patients with an optogenetic diagnosis and summarize and analyse outcome measures.
• Develop and perform a test-protocol to assess selected patients in terms of objective measures (ECochG or others) and acquire, summarize and analyse data.
• Participate in performing objective tests.
• Integrate and publish the findings in international peer-reviewed journals as part of this PhD project.

We are looking for an enthusiastic ambitious candidate with an academic degree (MSc) in biomedical engineering, life sciences, applied physics, technical medicine, or a related discipline, aiming for an PhD.

• A strong analytical background in signal processing, data acquisition, data analysis or experience in a similar clinical-epidemiological setting.
• Experience with working with patients.
• Highly motivated to work in an interdisciplinary environment at the cutting edge of science.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential and therefore proficient in both Dutch and English.
• Excellent writing skills.

This position is funded by the industry. The position is designed and funded as a 3-year full-time position. We further aim to acquire additional funding for a 4th year. The intended starting date is September 1st, 2020.

The salary depends on education. Scale 10 will be offered to MSc medical graduates; those holding degrees in other disciplines will be offered scale 10A.

Upon commencement of employment we require a certificate of conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG) and there will be, depending on the type of job, a screening based on the provided cv. Radboud university medical center's HR Department will apply for this certificate on your behalf.

Read more about the Radboudumc employment conditions and what our International Office can do for you when moving to the Netherlands.

Radboudumc

Research Institutes
At the moment there are more than 1,300 PhD candidates at our medical hospital. This number includes PhD candidates on our pay roll as well as external candidates (those employed somewhere else but researching on our premises).

• Radboud Institute for Health Sciences: ± 700
• Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences: ± 400
• Donders Center for Medical Neurosciences: ± 200

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Radboudumc
Radboudumc strives to be a leading developer of sustainable, innovative and affordable healthcare to improve the health and wellbeing of people and society in the Netherlands and beyond. This is the core of our mission: To have a significant impact on healthcare. To get a better picture of what this entails, check out our strategy.

Read more about what it means to work at Radboudumc and what our people have to say about it.