PhD in Multimodal Sensor Systems and AI-Based Analysis for Objective Olfactory Assessment

This PhD position is intended for candidates with a strong interest in sensor development and multimodal signal processing, who are motivated to work in a multidisciplinary environment at the interface of engineering, and clinical research.

Information
Human olfaction is critical for functions such as hazard detection, food perception, and personal hygiene. However, olfactory disorders affect nearly 20% of the population and can substantially diminish quality of life. A key limitation of current clinical assessment methods is their strong reliance on subjective patient reporting, leading to limited reliability, poor reproducibility, and restricted insight into the underlying physiological mechanisms.

In this project, you will tackle this problem by designing and developing a novel sensing and data-driven evaluation system for olfactory function. You will engineer a sensor setup capable of topographically mapping nasal sensory responses and integrate it with controlled stimuli generated by an olfactometer. Multiple biosignals (including EEG, negative mucosal potential, and peak nasal inspiratory flow) will be synchronously acquired and fused using an AI-based signal processing and modeling framework. Patient-specific parameters (e.g., age, sex, comorbidities, allergies, smoking history) will be incorporated to enable personalized and objective assessment.

The developed system will be validated in a clinical study investigating the effects of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery on olfactory function. Postoperative smell loss exhibits high inter-patient variability, making it an ideal use case for advanced sensing, multimodal data fusion, and intelligent analysis.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Julie Legrand, Assistant Professor, j.legrand@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.me@tue.nl.

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