Postdoc on AI-driven handheld echo for cardiac applications

If a person is being diagnosed with heart failure and experiencing worsening fatigue and shortness of breath, regular monitoring of the heart’s left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is essential for timely treatment adjustments. LVEF measurement is key to classifying heart failure, whether it is with reduced, preserved, or mildly reduced ejection fraction. Tailored treatment strategies, as well as some medications, are only effective for patients with reduced ejection fraction. Yet, long waiting lists for a specialist-performed ultrasound examination delays care.

A potential solution would be having an ultrasound by your general practitioner (GP) using a smartphone with an point-of-care ultrasound app. However, currently this requires an extensive training for the GP’s and a huge investment to use an ultrasound machine. In this position you will be responsible for development and clinical evaluation of an AI-driven smartphone-based app that in combination with a revolutionary handheld echo transducer will address both issues.

Since echocardiographic imaging is complicated by finding the correct window and subsequently maneuvering the probe to the right tilt and rock to get the optimal plane, we will use a revolutionary handheld cardiac probe capable to facilitate imaging the correct plane without user intervention. For this, we will collaborate with Praesens, an organization with aim to revolutionize health care by bringing diagnostic techniques closer to the patient.

This device will facilitate the best possible image acquisition and analysis by real-time image analysis allowing a non-expert to make a diagnosis. AI-algorithms to automatically analyze the acquired ultrasound data will be developed in collaboration with Ardim to provide the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF), making accurate heart assessments accessible even to non-experts. Their lower cost and portability support widespread adoption in general practice and will be facilitated by the Department of Family Medicine Maastricht University. Improving diagnostic capabilities in general practice has broad societal benefits: it reduces specialist referrals, prevents hospitalizations through timely treatment, and alleviates healthcare system burdens.

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

1. Developing AI algorithms for acquiring the correct window.
2. Developing and validating an AI based algorithm to analyze the correct images in order to provide the LVEF.
3. Testing the developed techniques.
4. Embed the developed system in an smartphone application.
5. Perform clinical evaluations of the developed system in collaboration with clinicians.

Our new postdoc is an highly motivated, creative, and enthusiastic researcher with a PhD degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related area.

In addition you possess the profile below:

• You have experience with programming in Python.
• You have experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• You have experience with version control (Git).
• You have excellent communication skills.
• Good knowledge of medical imaging, ultrasound in particular, is a plus.
• Previous experience with Docker is a plus.
• Experience developing apps for mobile devices (Android, iOS), as well as Windows is a plus.

For this position Dutch speaking candidates are preferred since you have to interact with GPs and patients.

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:

• A gross monthly salary between € 4.818.and € 6.594 (scale 11) for full-time employment (36 hours per week). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and, depending on the position, an allowance of 47% to 72% for working irregular hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week.

This position 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 3th best Medical Imaging Department in the World.

For this position you will collaborate with clinic and industry. MUSIC consists of a group of 20 researchers working on ultrasound innovations, including 5 people working on AI driven image analysis. You will be based in offices with up to max 6 people to boost interaction between scientist working on this topic. 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. The MUSIC group has an excellent working ambiance and social culture to facilitate out-of office activities.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health.

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.