DC12 Impact assessment of changing nature of medical electromagnetic environment

Applications are invited for the PhD position ('Doctoral Candidates', DCs) to be funded by the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network 'iSense- European Doctoral Network on In-Situ Monitoring of Electromagnetic Interference' within the Horizon Europe programme of the European Commission.

Host institution: TU/e (Netherlands)

Supervisor: Anne Roc'h (TU/e, Netherlands)

Co-supervisor(s): Guus Pemen (TU/e, Netherlands), Salvador Gonzalez Garcia (UGR, Spain), Rob Kleihorst (PHC, Netherlands)

Objectives:

• Develop specialized machine-learning tools to extract and recreate essential features of a medical EMI environment.
• Address both frequency-domain and time-domain variations to encompass both continuous and transient disturbances.
• Establish a comprehensive framework for assessing the long-term impact of dynamic EMI environments.

Expected Results:

1. A suite of specialized machine-learning tools and algorithms designed explicitly for a healthcarerelated electromagnetic environment.
2. Assessment of temporal dependencies and long-term patterns in healthcare-related EM environments.

Planned secondment(s):

• Academic secondment: UGR, Salvador Gonzalez Garcia, M23-M25, Impact assessment of photovoltaic installations.
• Industrial secondment: PHC, Rob Kleihorst, M29-M32, 3M, Impact assessment of the changing nature of a medical electromagnetic environment

Niels Bohr once said, 'Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future'. This is especially true when it comes to the high-tech electronic devices that we increasingly rely on and the electromagnetic environment they have to operate in. We are faced with having to anticipate what is likely to happen in the future, with the widespread use of even more advanced communication systems, the rise of highly automated technologies, like self-driving cars and robotic surgeries, complex systems and infrastructures, and our growing dependence on technology. This web of interconnected systems-of-systems creates a complex electromagnetic environment in which the seamless interoperability of electrical and electronic equipment must be guaranteed.

The iSENSE Doctoral Network on In-Situ Monitoring of Electromagnetic Interference has a clear mission: to train a new generation of experts who possess the skills and fundamental knowledge required to effectively address our intricate and ever-evolving electromagnetic environment to tackle the issue of electromagnetic interference. Specific innovations to be expected are innovative EMI sensors and monitoring methodologies, early warning tools for detecting EMI occurrences, the formulation of novel modelling and test strategies and, overall, a greater success in avoiding EMI issues.

Skills/Qualifications

• You are creative and ambitious, hard-working, and persistent.
• You have theoretical and applied knowledge or interest in: electromagnetic compatibility, electronics design, machine learning, artificial intelligence, rf measurements, signal & data processing, sensors, measurement techniques, antenna theory.
• You have good communicative skills, and the attitude to partake successfully in the work of a research team.
• You have a good command of the English language (Spoken and Written).

Specific Requirements

• You have a MSc degree or you will have it by the end of 2025 in electrical engineering or any other relevant program.

The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for DCs. The gross salary includes a living allowance (approximately € 3400 per month1), a mobility allowance of approximately € 600 per month and, if applicable, a family allowance of approximately € 660 per month. These amounts are nominal (gross) amounts and certain deductions will apply for social security contributions and/or taxes according to the applicable national laws of the country where the recruiting beneficiary is located. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months (i.e. EC funding, additional funding is possible, depending on the local Supervisor, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin). In countries where PhDs typically last longer than 36 months, beneficiaries foresee additional funding for the required time to finish the PhD if the DC fulfils all technical requirements at the end of the 36 months. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills for the Jobs of Tomorrow as well as active participation in workshops and conferences.