Post-Doctoral position on Navigation and simultaneous localization and mapping in robotic-assisted surgery

Compared to open liver surgery, a minimally invasive approach guarantees faster recovery, less intraoperative blood loss, and in general reduced trauma. Nevertheless, laparoscopic procedures, which are performed by inserting a camera through the abdomen, induce several challenges for the operating surgeon. The foremost are the loss of depth perception and tactile feedback, reversed instrument movement and limited field of view.

To tackle the loss of depth perception computer vision techniques have been studied to detect and track visual features using multi-modality technique to acquire a 3D map of the anatomical Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), is a class of algorithms which exploits this principle with successful applications in robotics, autonomous driving and augmented reality.

In recent years, this approach has been translated in the laparoscopic field showing promising results. A new approach including deep learning will be introduced complementary to conventional SLAM, where anatomical structures (e.g. liver segments, falciform ligament, gallbladder) and surgical instruments are automatically detected and categorized and a more accurate mapping of the surgical scene can be achieved. The chosen approach will boost robotic applications specifically to tackle challenges related to understanding of heterogeneous environments and increase the number of complex interactions.

The University of Twente offers a stimulating work environment in an area of applied, forefront research. The robotics and mechatronics group is active on both fundamental and application-driven topics in the field of robotics and deeply rooted in TechMed and DSI Institutes.

• You will be appointed full-time for (up to) one year within a very stimulating and exciting scientific environment;
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU). You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.557 to € 5439;
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• The flexibility to work (partially) from home;
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other staff.

You will work in a highly innovative environment with a strong collaboration between the Netherlands Cancer Institute and the University of Twente, but you will also be part of an extensive European network.

The Netherlands Cancer Institute is among the world's best comprehensive cancer centers, combining innovative fundamental, translational, and clinical research with patient specific care. The specific department is focused on the development of image guided treatment for oncology purposes.