Recent advances in acquisition hardware and computer power have made the acquisition and reconstruction of functional images with x-rays possible. Functional tomosynthesis imaging for acquisition of dynamic perfusion information will provide information on how a breast tumor functions and is reacting to therapy, in addition to their anatomical shape. This new, additional, realm of information obtained about tumor status will aid in personalization of treatment plans and monitoring of the response to treatment. However, the implementation of functional tomosynthesis requires development and optimization of image acquisition and processing methods to solve the image reconstruction inverse problem for a dynamic object at lower radiation doses with high noise levels, while maintaining high image quality characteristics.

The AXTI lab is engaged in the development of cutting-edge digital breast tomosynthesis systems for functional imaging of the breast. This project involves the development, optimization, characterization, and patient testing of the first such system in the world.

In this project you will develop novel tomosynthesis image reconstruction algorithms, including motion compensation and regularization, validate these methods using digital and physical functional phantoms, and participate in the development of radiomics analysis of the generated 3D and 4D image volumes. There will be close collaboration with other team members focusing on system modelling, acquisition optimization, and phantom design, and industry partners to facilitate the translation of these methods into clinical evaluation and use. Tasks will also include presenting at international scientific conferences and writing papers on newly developed methods and the study results.

We are looking for a creative and enthusiastic researcher with a MSc degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, medical physics, or similar. You have experience or interest in inverse problems and their applications in radiology and/or image processing, and affinity with biomedical research. You also have experience in programming in python, C/C++, Matlab, or similar. Lastly, you have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The salary depends on education. Scale 10 will be offered to MSc medical graduates; those holding degrees in other disciplines will be offered scale 10A.

Working at Radboud university medical center means that you are ahead of the curve and working together on the healthcare of the future. And there is more. Our secondary terms of employment are impressive. These are fully tailored to you thanks to our Employment Conditions Selection Model. At Radboud university medical center, you will be given trust, and you will take the responsibility to handle everything together. We provide annual courses, both professional and personal.

• A gross monthly salary between € 2.789 and € 3.536 (scale 10A) or between € 3.230 and € 5.088 (scale 10) based on full-time employment.
• From 1 November 2023 the wages will increase by 4%.
• An annual vacation allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• If you work irregular hours, you will receive an allowance.
• As a full-time employee (36 hours per week), you are entitled to approximately 168 vacation hours (over 23 days) per year.
• Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. You pay the rest of the premium with your gross salary.
• You get a discount on health insurance as well: you can take advantage of two group health insurance plans. UMC Zorgverzekering and CZ collectief.

In addition to our terms of employment, we also offer employees various other attractive facilities, such as childcare and sports facilities. Want to learn more? Take a look at the Cao UMC.

Radboudumc

Department of Medical Imaging
The Department of Medical Imaging is one of the most active research departments of the Radboudumc. More than 100 researchers are continuously striving to optimize healthcare. Close cooperation between preclinical researchers, radiologists and cardiologists gives a fantastic opportunity to implement new imaging techniques in clinical practice, and you will be working directly in this field.

Advanced X-ray Tomographic Imaging laboratory
The AXTI laboratory is focused on the development, optimization, and clinical evaluation of new x-ray-based imaging methods. The lab focuses on the use of medical physics approaches to improve image acquisition methods and reconstruction and processing, including artificial intelligence algorithms, and to evaluate the clinical performance of new technology in new clinical applications. The group counts with wide-ranging expertise in image processing, reconstruction, deep learning and other AI methods, and analysis, as well as radiation dosimetry, along with the design and performance of patient trials.

The laboratory works closely with radiologists and industry to develop new, clinically relevant, imaging methods and processes in x-ray-based imaging, especially in breast imaging and body CT, to have an impact in detection, diagnosis, and treatment of pathologies.

More information can be found on our website

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare.

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Read more about our strategy and what working at Radboud university medical center means. Our colleagues would be happy to tell you about it. #weareradboudumc