close

Photoacoustic-ultrasound breast imaging with elastography

Updated: 17 Apr 2025

link
provider logo
Research / Academic
Enschede

We are looking for an biomedical engineer, technical medicine specialist, applied physicist, or a related expert with a PhD in experimental imaging, phantom development, or multi-modal imaging. Experience in photoacoustics, ultrasound, elastography, or tissue-mimicking materials is highly desirable.

The ideal candidate has:

  • Strong experimental skills in imaging system development or application, validation and phantom-based research.
  • A track record of high-quality publications.
  • Creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-motivation.
  • The ability to lead small teams and coordinate interdisciplinary research.
  • Excellent English communication and teamwork skills.


The Challenge:
In this project, we will expand the capabilities of a high-throughput 3D photoacoustic-ultrasound computed tomography system to incorporate elastography, adding a new dimension of functional tissue characterization for breast cancer imaging. The integration of elastography allows us to extract multiple contrast mechanisms, offering additional insights into tissue properties. However, several technical hurdles must be overcome, which require choices to be made and iterative optimization of various technical aspects. For this exceptionally well-characterized phantoms and test approaches are required.

The Role:
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will develop, test and apply state-of-the-art tissue-mimicking phantoms that replicate key properties relevant to this multi-modal system. This will include the following:

  • Design and fabricate complex phantoms that accurately simulate the optical, acoustic, and mechanical properties of breast tissue.
  • Conduct extensive imaging experiments to evaluate and help test and refine the technologies and image reconstruction algorithms for multi-parameter estimation.


The Collaborative Ecosystem:
You will be a Post-Doc embedded in the Multi-Modality Medical Imaging group within the strong photoacoustic-ultrasound community at the University of Twente (UT). Within the project you will have the unique chance to be part of a larger team comprising industry leaders in photoacoustic-ultrasound breast imaging PA Imaging R&D BV, AI experts at the UT, clinicians from the RadboudUMC, and various industrial partners. As a postdoc you are expected to perform research of high quality, guide PhD students, help in coordinating between partners and contribute to making the project a success. You are expected to report on your research in international scientific journals.

The Project:
This position is part of the EFRO project "Elastografie voor snellere herkenning van borstkanker in 3D foto-akoestische mammografie". The project brings together leading experts in imaging science, clinical research, and computational modeling to develop next-generation diagnostic tools.

If you are passionate about multi-physics in experimental imaging, we encourage you to apply!

Requirements:

  • Vision and ambitious drive;
  • Hold a PhD degree experimental imaging, phantom development, or multi-modal imaging. Experience in photoacoustics, ultrasound, elastography, or tissue-mimicking materials is highly desirable. with publications in reputable academic journals, presentations in international scientific conferences;
  • Conduct applied research within a multidisciplinary environment;
  • Have experience or ambition in working closely with companies and hospitals;
  • Good communication skills and an excellent command of English.

Salary Benefits:

  • A full-time position for 1 1/2 years, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home.
  • 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 € 4060,- to € 5331,-.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • Excellent career support and courses for your professional and personal development.
Work Hours:

38 - 40 hours per week

Address:

Drienerlolaan 5