Minimal invasive Image-guided Interventions (MII) is emerging as a new discipline in medicine. To date, no single specialist area has the necessary competencies to deliver MII. These interventions are combined with sophisticated imaging technologies, primarily to perform minimally invasive surgery. MII can be characterized by the following key steps: target location, target verification (lesion volume), target destruction, treatment monitoring and verification. CT, X-ray and ultrasound imaging are the most commonly used modalities in interventional procedures, but these have major disadvantages: the ionizing X-rays are potentially dangerous for both patient and physician, and their contrast is limited to bone or iodine-containing contrast agents. Ultrasound hardly penetrates bone, is reflected at tissue-air interfaces and is operator dependent. Due to these limitations, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be used for MII as well the possibility to measure temperature differences during tumor ablation.

This project will cover image guided irreversible electroporation of cancerous tissue in a MRI environment. The implementation of tumor ablative techniques within the MRI environment will expand the range of its application field to the organs (e.g. prostate or liver) where the treatment under guidance of other techniques such as CT or US reaches its limits. The MRI environment poses a number of specific requirements such as high sensibility to external electromagnetic disturbances, strong magnetic and radiofrequency fields, relatively long scan times, limited access to the patient placed in the MRI scanner and the need of MR-compatible material.

The PhD student will develop a MRI compatible environment for irreversible electroporation which ultimately lead to MRI controlled irreversible electroporation in cancerous tissue.

The successful applicant has a background in biomedical ,medical physics, technical medicine or in a closely related discipline. He or she should possess excellent skills and practical experience in one or more of the following research areas: MRI physics, robotics, MR sequence development, or image processing and experience with programming. Experience at the intersection of one or more of these areas is desirable. Fluency in English is required. An interview will be part of the selection procedure. 

Questions regarding this positions can be directed to Jurgen Futterer, MD PhD, phone: +31-53-4894452, email: j.j.futterer@utwente.nl  

Department website: https://www.ram.ewi.utwente.nl/.

Please send your application with c.v. (including contact information for at least two academic references) and transcripts from your Bachelors and/or Masters degrees as a SINGLE PDF file before August 1st 2017, through the link below.

We offer a very challenging fulltime position for four years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) the gross monthly salary ranges from € 2222,- in the first year to € 2840,- in the fourth year. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus, and a number of additional benefits. Your main responsibility will be to carry out research, but you will be given the opportunity to acquire some teaching experience as well.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over six faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) comprises three disciplines that shape Information and Communication Technology. ICT is more than communication. In almost every product we use mathematics, electronics and computer technology and ICT now contributes to all of societies' activities. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. The research which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+, CTIT and MIRA.