PhD position Quantitative ultrasound imaging inside and behind bone

Our main goal is to unlock ultrasound imaging inside organs that are still inaccessible to existing clinical ultrasound scanners, in particular bones and the adult human brain. Our ambition is to develop operator-independent approaches that generate accurate anatomical volumetric images and quantitative biomarkers, in particular for the characterization of tissue composition or microstructure and blood flow quantification. We recently unlocked 2D ultrasound imaging inside human long bones (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91979-5_10) and started the translation of our approaches to transcranial ultrasound (https://doi.org/10.1109/TUFFC.2022.3148121).
Optimal imaging inside and behind bone requires to take into account the 3D challenging wave physics imposed by bone tissue: wave refraction, wave speed anisotropy, wave mode conversion, multiple scattering. Our first study on patients will start soon, to validate the detection and sizing of hypervascular lesions inside bones. We are presently recruiting a PhD student to pursue a four year doctorate in our lab.
The expected starting date for this position is the 1st of October 2024. The PhD student will develop innovative ultrasound imaging approaches from the bottom up: starting from wave physics in complex media to clinical translation. In particular, the PhD student will develop quantitative approaches exploiting elastic waves and 4D ultrasound imaging strategies with matrix array transducers. Next, in close collaboration with clinicians, these innovative approaches will be tailored to answer specific needs in clinical research and clinical practice, and evaluated in vivo on human volunteers. The successful candidate will be involved in ongoing research projects at the lab. The PhD student will have the opportunity to teach and take mentoring responsibility for students at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Requirements:

•    A master’s degree in physics or engineering including wave physics and signal processing
•    Experience in programming (Matlab and C)
•    Good interpersonal and communications skills
•    Affinity for medical imaging
•    Affinity for both experimental work and modeling
•    Motivation for teaching and student supervision is a plus
•    Good knowledge of written and spoken English
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Salary Benefits:

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

38 hours per week

Mekelweg 2