PhD training position in EU doctoral network "MyoTreat"

Funded by the European Commission through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie program, the MSCA Doctoral Network 'MyoTreat', offers a PhD training position at Erasmus MC. The theme of the network is ‘Myopia - from genes and environment to cellular responses and treatment’. The PhD student at Erasmus MC, in collaboration with Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture, will investigate the role of light and different wavelengths of light on the choroidal thickness in humans. The position provides a unique opportunity, as it is linked to two institutes within the Netherlands and a European Network with distinct areas of expertise. The candidate will gain comprehensive training in vision research while also enhancing their technical proficiency and has the unique opportunity to work in 2 high ranked scientific institutes in the Netherlands.

Myopia is the most common eye disorder in developed countries. The prevalence of myopia has increased over the last decades. Over 80% of the university students in East Asia are currently myopic; in Europe about 50% of the young adults are developing myopia. Myopia develops during childhood and is influenced by genetic factors and environmental factors, and has high risk of visual impairment in adult life. The choroid is the vascular structure underneath the retina and can facilitate signaling between the retina and the sclera to induce axial length growth and myopia.

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student with a natural intellectual curiosity for interdisciplinary research and discovery. The project will address the role of the choroid on the development of myopia by studying different wavelengths of light on the choroidal thickness by OCT measurements. The candidate will benefit from networking with, and secondments to other project partners within the MyoTreat network in order to gain understanding and access knowledge from others and implement this into their own research.

The candidate will utilize cutting-edge techniques:

• non-invasive optical measurement techniques for measurement (optical coherence tomography) in humans.
• Light sources emitting specific wavelengths of light, combination of wavelengths and intensities.
• Artificial intelligence to automatically segment retinal layers.
• Instruments and sensors for monitoring environmental light exposure and its spectral characteristics.

• A Master`s degree in life sciences, computational science, medicine, biology, neurobiology, computer science or closely related fields.
• Excellence in oral and written English, with good presentation skills.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a multidisciplinary research environment.

The following skills are desirable:

• Knowledge of eye biology, physiology, optics and/or neuroscience.
• Statistics/computer science skill.

Eligibility criteria:

• You shall not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date (unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention).
• You shall not already be in possession of a doctoral degree.
• Can be of any nationality.

You will join and work within our Eye-Epi research group headed by Prof.dr. Caroline C.W. Klaver at Depts. Ophthalmology & Epidemiology of Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands and closely collaborate with the Faculty of Architecture of the TU Delft (Dr. Eleonora Brembilla).

The Erasmus MC is the largest academic hospital in The Netherlands. We are a team of scientists, clinicians, engineers, and artificial intelligence experts, experienced in investigating causes and risk profiles of eye diseases, and develop innovative, automated, and technologically advanced solutions for eye health through integration of predictive models and analytical insight. We have large experience in studying myopia with studies with children, adults, animal studies, intervention studies and clinical trials. We have one of Europe’s largest and most comprehensive datasets on eye diseases which includes multimodal imaging, genetics, lifestyle factors, and blood biomarkers, and have close collaboration with international consortia.

The TU Delft has ‘The SenseLab’, a state-of-the-art laboratory (created and supervised by prof. dr. Philomena Bluyssen) where combined individual and environmental conditions can be experienced and tested, and a team of Indoor Environmental Quality specialists that study the impact of building design and indoor environmental conditions (like lighting) on human comfort and health.

For any questions about the content of the position, please contact dr Magda Smoor, senior researcher, m.smoor@erasmusmc.nl.