Are you fascinated by the working of the human brain? Are you eager to contribute to advancing our understanding of brain functions and to novel technological methods to interact with the brain? Within the project called the Dutch Brain Interface Initiative (DBI2), we have a vacancy for a highly motivated PhD student. You will work on techniques to influence brain dynamics, specifically on non-invasive focused neurostimulation to target (deeper) brain areas and to enable closed-loop neurostimulation. In addition, you will validate your findings in phantom experiments and, ultimately, in clinical trials.

In this PhD project, you will work on modelling and full-wave simulations for electrical non-invasive neurostimulation called temporal interference. This stimulation uses multiple waveforms, slightly different

in frequency (e.g. 1.00 kHz and 1.02 kHz), such that the amplitude modulation (e.g., 20 Hz) excites neurons at a localized target. You will work on developing this technique and optimizing it in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, and dynamic adaptation. The project is about comparing temporal interference with other invasive and non-invasive stimulation modalities (magnetic, focused ultrasound), which are also being investigated in the DBI2 project. You will work on modelling and experimental validation (through phantom work) of temporal interference, while comparing this with the other proposed modalities. There will be a close cooperation with the Bioelectronics group of Delft University of Technology, and we will actively seek to validate in clinical studies, in cooperation with Ghent University Hospital and Radboud UMC, Nijmegen.

Work environment

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 carried out in the Electromagnetics for Care & Cure lab of the Electromagnetics group that conducts, amongst others, research in the field of neurotechnology, MRI-engineering, 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!

DBI2 project

The research is part of the DBI2 project, which aims at advancing our understanding of brain function and brain-environment interactions by leveraging the development of a new generation of effective and minimally disruptive brain-machine interfaces. DBI2 seeks to integrate cutting-edge algorithmic and technological advances geared towards three neuroscientific applications:

1. Understanding the common principles of global brain dynamics and feedback interactions between brain areas subserving cognition.
2. Devising effective, ecologically-valid, minimally-invasive techniques to influence brain dynamics that will foster fruitful avenues for therapy and cognitive enhancement in patients.
3. Understanding neural underpinnings of complex interactions between animals and their environment, and between animals under increasingly naturalistic conditions.

This work on non-invasive focused neurostimulation falls into the second item.

Prospective candidates should have/be:

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics Neuroscience/Neurotechnology or equivalent, with excellent grades;
• A research-oriented attitude;
• Experience in, or affinity with, multiphysics and numerical modelling;
• Solid coding skills, e.g. in Matlab, Python, or equivalent;
• Experience in, or affinity with, experimentation and clinical work;
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural team; interest in collaborating with clinical partners;
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students;
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within national and international networks. 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.
• 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.