Are you ready to revolutionize medical imaging? Are you a PhD candidate who wants to join our challenge to develop real-time image analysis for ultrasound positioning and AI diagnosis? Take on the task of creating efficient algorithms and actively participate in data collection and field testing with Maastricht University Medical Center.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) accounts for approximately 85% of the global burden of osteoarthritis. KOA has a high prevalence; the prevalence of KOA is 14% for women, and 9% for men in the Netherlands. Ultrasound is the first-choice imaging modality for diagnosing and monitoring KOA, but requires an experienced sonographer which can perform the ultrasound examination. Ultrasound for KOA is therefore barely used at the general practitioner (GP). The goal of this project is to make ultrasound for KOA accessible to the GP with the use of AI. In this project, we will develop an AI driven system that will guide the operator to acquired the correct ultrasound images and subsequently analyze these images to make a diagnosis. For this system, a hand-held ultrasound probe will be used which is connected to a smartphone, making it a very portable solution.

This project aims to analyze the acquired images real-time in order to determine the position of the ultrasound probe with respect to the target region to image. In this way, the operator will be guided to the correct spot. Subsequently, the images made of the target region will be analyzed with AI algorithms to make the diagnosis. You will not only work on developing computationally efficient AI algorithms, but we also expect you to be active in data collection and field testing in collaboration with Maastricht University Medical Center.

During this project you will be visiting GP's and potential other sites where the system will be used. Within previous projects, MUSIC has already successfully developed the BabyChecker app and an app for detection of developmental hip dysplasia. Within this project, our commercial partners Telemed and Ardim will provide support on the ultrasound probe and in the app development. This project is aimed at revolutionizing ultrasound imaging by introducing it at the GP level.

You will work on technical development of the AI algorithms and clinical validation of these algorithms in practice by:

• Developing an AI driven guidance tool for acquiring the correct ultrasound images.
• Developing and validating an AI based algorithm to analyze the correct images in order to quantify the severity of the KOA.
• Perform initial testing of the developed techniques.
• Embed the developed system in an application for the smartphone.
• Perform clinical evaluations of the developed system in collaboration with a clinical PhD student at Maastricht University Medical Center.

You are an highly motivated, creative, and enthusiastic researcher with an MSc degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related area. You have an interest in deep learning and medical image analysis. Moreover you have affinity with programming in Python. Good knowledge of medical imaging, ultrasound in particular, is a plus

You have excellent communication skills. Dutch speaking candidates are preferred since you have to interact with general practitioners and patients.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• Upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€2,901 based on a full-time appointment). Over a maximum period of 4 years, you will progress to scale 10A, step 3 (€3,677 based on a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. You can also share knowledge with colleagues through digital learning spaces – perfect for getting inspired and inspiring others.
• Your well-being and vitality are our priorities. For instance, you can enjoy a 40% discount on a sports subscription at the Radboud Sports Center along with access to the Healthy Professionals program designed to assist you in managing your energy. If you are going through a life-changing event, our Company Support Team and a personal coach are there to help you.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. This includes advice and training courses (from ‘Millennial Dilemmas’ to ‘Your Career After 57’), activities at our own mindfulness center, and informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• 168 holiday hours per year (23 days) based on a 36-hour working week.
• 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid.
• Pension accrual with the ABP Pension Fund. Radboudumc pays 70% of the pension premium.
• Discounts on health insurance and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your travel expenses or a working-from-home allowance of €2 per day.

Radboudumc

The project is embedded in the Medical UltraSound Imaging Center (MUSIC) of the Department of Medical Imaging of the Radboud university medical center. Within MUSIC we have ample experience in developing AI driven ultrasound solutions by collaborating with the Diagnostic Image Analysis Group (DIAG). The Department of Medical Imaging is one of the leading centers in the world as also demonstrated by US News & World Report that ranked us 4th best Medical Imaging Department in the world.

For this project, you will work in a small and dedicated team of 6 people devoted to this subject. This team is embedded in MUSIC with 20 people working on ultrasound innovations and DIAG with over 100 people on AI driven image analysis. You will be based in offices with up to max 6 people to boost interaction between scientist working on similar topics. Working from home for one day per week is facilitated by full remote access to all data and archives and further boosted to online meeting possibilities. Both groups have an excellent working ambiance and social culture to facilitate out-of office activities.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare.

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