Heart sounds are one of the oldest diagnostic tools but are until recently limited to being heard by the human ear. Nowadays we can measure them digitally with various techniques, which opens new possibilities for easy and cheap diagnosis. In a previous EU-project we have shown the possibility to derive heart sound-like signals by detecting the vibration of the thoracic skin using Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV). This new EU-project aims to investigate to what extent LDV can be used for improving pacemaker therapy in heart failure and to detect the severity of valvular abnormalities.

The work will involve (but is not limited to):

- critical review of existing literature,

- handling and operating established diagnostic ultrasound and investigational LDV systems,

- setting up patient-based studies in collaboration with staff of clinical departments,

- performing measurements, data acquisition and collection (subject to GDPR),

- developing signal and image processing protocols, to extract and derive relevant features,

- statistical analyses, to evaluate reproducibility and accuracy of individual and composite measures,

- scientific reporting on findings: conference presentations and publications.

The clinical studies will be performed in Maastricht (MUMC) and Paris (INSERM U970), with Maastricht as the coordinating center. The investigator will collaborate with another colleague in Maastricht within the same EU project who also uses LDV for vascular diagnosis and with the Paris colleague who performs complementary analyses.

The ideal candidate has:

·       a great interest in cardiac diseases and preferably also experience in cardiac research.

·       a strong background in either (bio)medicine or biomedical engineering, preferably experience in biomedical signal processing.

·       relevant master degrees include MD, biomedical science, biomedical or medical engineering and technical medicine.

·       Communication skills and competence of fluent speaking and writing in English

·       capability to work in a multidisciplinary team is a requirement.

This position offers a dynamic and challenging multi-disciplinary environment, with expert supervision and high-tech infrastructure in a top cardiovascular research institute. The collaboration in the EU network brings contact and collaboration with centers and companies in eight EU countries, thus providing a great network. 

The preferred starting date for this position is March 1, 2020.

Fixed-term contract: PhD 4 years / Postodoc 3 years.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl

SCHOOL CD / CARIM

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 18,000 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.