PhD Position Scientific Machine Learning and Surrogate Modeling for Cardiovascular Digital Twins

A cardiovascular digital twin is a physics-based computer simulation that models an individual's health and disease states to aid decision-making. These high-fidelity models are often computationally expensive, limiting their personalization and real-time clinical use. In this project, we aim to develop highly efficient data-driven surrogate models for parametrized partial differential equations, with application to computational cardiology.

In this project, you will combine advanced physics-based models of the human heart and vasculature with the latest breakthroughs in machine learning to develop scalable and robust surrogate models of cardiovascular digital twins. These surrogate models will be used to enhance personalized treatment planning and post-treatment monitoring for patients suffering from circulation overload disorders, specifically systemic hypertension, heart failure (with/without preserved ejection fraction), and hemodynamically complicated atrial septal defects.

The research will be conducted in the Department of BioMechanical Engineering at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) under the supervision of dr. ir. Mathias Peirlinck. The Peirlinck Lab integrates multimodal experimental data, physics-based modeling, and machine learning techniques to understand, explore, and predict the multiscale behavior of the human heart and cardiovascular system. More information on the research and team can be found on https://peirlincklab.com. This research is part of the VITAL project (https://vital-horizoneurope.eu/), a large international collaboration developing a comprehensive, clinically validated, multi-scale, multi-organ ‘digital twin’ modelling platform that is driven by and can represent individual patient data acquired both in the clinic and from wearable technology.

Prior experience in both scientific machine learning and numerical analysis of PDEs and ODEs is required. In addition, experience in the field of cardiac modeling, arterial modeling, (soft tissue) biomechanics, and/or electrophysiology will be strongly appreciated. As the successful candidate for this position, you will develop scientific machine learning algorithms, develop and run high-performance computer simulations, construct pipelines for model personalization to structural and functional data, and develop APIs between various software codes. You will actively participate in (bi)weekly lab meetings, write scientific articles and reports, and give presentations and workshops at national and international conferences. Besides your research activities, you will also take part in teaching and supervision activities within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of Delft University of Technology and beyond.

• You have demonstrable experience with scientific machine learning and numerical analysis towards solving PDEs and ODEs on complex domains.
• Affinity with nonlinear continuum mechanics, finite element analysis, cardiovascular modeling, computational (soft tissue) biomechanics, cardiovascular (patho)physiology is appreciated.
• You have an excellent master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Computational Physics, Applied Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering or a related field.
• You are a highly independent, motivated, and innovative individual.
• You have a strong research-oriented attitude.
• You are a quick learner, can effectively communicate scientific ideas, and foster collaborations in a highly multidisciplinary team.
• You have excellent spoken and written English* language skills (minimum C1 level).

Please highlight your specific skills and relevant prior experiences for this position explicitly in your motivation letter. Motivation letters that do not address any of these requirements will not be considered.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

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