The Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is seeking an ambitious PhD candidate for the development of a non-invasive and minimally-invasive ultrasound (US) imaging method for the assessment of rupture risk in abdominal aortic aneurysms.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering. There is an endless demand in modern healthcare for technologies to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of health problems. To meet this demand, TU/e has a strong focus on Health in its research and education programs and has a department devoted entirely to this socially vital area: Biomedical Engineering. Biomedical engineers improve human health by cross-disciplinary activities that integrate the engineering sciences with the biomedical sciences and clinical practice. The Department of Biomedical Engineering presently consists of thirteen research groups, organized in 3 clusters and covers everything from regenerative engineering to biomedical image analysis to biomolecular engineering. With 58 (assistant, associate and full) professors, over 100 researchers and postdocs, 158 PhD candidates and circa 950 bachelor and master students, the Department of Biomedical Engineering provides high-quality academic education and cutting-edge research.
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Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is ranked as one of the most innovative universities located in the heart of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, the Brainport region. The unique positioning in one of Europe's leading tech regions also means excellent job opportunities for spouses. TU/e actively facilitates career opportunities for partners of successful candidates. Eindhoven is the fifth largest city in the Netherlands, and including suburbs, it has about 420,000 inhabitants. Our training and research programs are highly regarded, and we foster close relationships with companies, organizations, and research institutes in the Brainport region and beyond. Fundamental and applied research are equally valued here. The high rank of the TU/e is due to the impact of its scientific research and also to its scientific co-publications with industry. TU/e is a social and inspiring university with a vibrant culture. Surrounded by people who share your scientific ambitions, we translate our basic research into meaningful solutions. The TU/e currently has nine departments, with over 11,000 students in total.
TU/e aims to increase diversity among its employees and encourages applications from under-represented groups; in particular, female scientists are encouraged to apply.
Job descriptionThe candidate will work on the development of a new multiperspective US system that combines non-invasive, transabdominal, 3-D ultrasound imaging with intravascular ultrasound imaging. We will target abdominal aortic aneurysms, building new algorithms for image formation (image fusion, segmentation), functional imaging (strain imaging, elastography), and tissue characterization of the wall and thrombus, and perform experimental verification and testing in mock circulation setups on aneurysm models. Finally, the feasibility will be examined in an in vivo pilot study.
The successful candidate will build on pre-established knowledge on transducer technology, signal and image analysis of 3-D US of abdominal aortic aneurysms, to further develop new methodological approaches towards combined non-invasive and invasive imaging of AAAs using 3-D TAE and IVUS. Affinity with imaging and image analysis is required and experience highly valued.
The PhD candidate is expected to do scientific research in the field described above, write a doctoral thesis and publish research results in scientific journals. An educational and professional development program is offered to all PhD candidates. A small part of the position involves teaching in courses offered by the group as well as to contribute to the co-supervision of bachelor and master students.