As a PhD candidate on this project you will integrate three complementary state-of-the-art ultrafast ultrasound imaging models - two existing modes (coherent compounding and strain imaging), and one new mode (push/shear wave elastography) - into a single breath-hold acquisition on a high-end SuperSonic Imagine Aixplorer ultrasound system. This will form the new diagnostic tool 'Ultra-COMPASS'. You will perform experiments to evaluate and optimize the performance of the tool in pulsating vessel-mimicking phantoms with known mechanical properties, followed by a validation in post-mortem carotid plaque specimen versus plaque composition determined by histology staining. Additionally you will perform tests to make sure the tool is acoustically and mechanically safe for in patient use. Finally, in the last two years you will be trained to perform ultrasound recordings of the carotid arteries in patients and will perform two studies in stroke patients. The first in high-risk patients, whose plaques will be imaged before surgical excision, to validate in vivo detection of rupture prone plaques. The second will be performed in low-to-moderate-risk patients who receive medical therapy which effectively reduces the risk for recurrent stroke. This study has to confirm the positive correlation between the Ultra-COMPASS's parameters and the risk for stroke and show that Ultra-COMPASS can monitor the plaque stabilizing effect of medication. You are expected to publish your research in highly esteemed scientific journals in the fields of ultrasound imaging, radiology, and/or cardiovascular imaging and present at scientific conferences such as the IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium. Visits to SuperSonic Imagine in Aix-en-Provence are also envisioned.

We are looking for a candidate:

• with a MSc in Biomedical Technology, Technical Medicine, or a similar university degree;
• interested in working in a hospital environment;
• with good experimental skills;
• with good communicative skills and is fluent in Dutch (because of patient measurements);
• interested in software development and signal/image processing;
• capable of working in a multi-disciplinary team.

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

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Radboudumc

The Medical UltraSound Imaging Center (MUSIC) is a division of the Department of Radiology of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre. MUSIC focuses on the development of functional imaging techniques for cardiovascular and radiological applications. Nijmegen is the oldest Dutch city with a rich history and enjoying one of the liveliest city centers in the Netherlands. Radboud University has over 17,000 students. Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc) is a leading academic centre for medical science, education and health care with over 8,500 staff and 3,000 students.

Recently, a grant of the Radboud Institute for Health Science (RIHS) was awarded for the project "Ultrafast ultrasonic COMpound Push wave imAging and Strain eStimation (Ultra-COMPASS) for personalized stroke risk stratification". Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death and disability and in 20% of cases caused by rupturing plaques in the atherosclerotic carotid artery wall. Goal of this project is to develop a diagnostic noninvasive ultrafast ultrasound-based tool to determine the risk to rupture of individual atherosclerotic carotid artery plaques. Ultrafast ultrasound is a new way of ultrasound imaging which enables imaging of more than 10.000 images per second. The project will be executed in collaboration with multiple disciplines within the Radboudumc (Neurology, Vascular Surgery/General Medicine, Pathology) and it will initiate an international collaboration with the ultrasound company SuperSonic Imagine, which is technological world leader on ultrafast ultrasound imaging technology for clinic. The developed techniques will be implemented on one of their most advanced ultrasound scanners and evaluated in two clinical studies. For this research project, we have a vacant position for one enthusiastic PhD candidate (4 years).

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.

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