Photoacoustic-ultrasound breast imaging with elastography

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!

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before May 14, and include:

• Your CV;
• A research statement;
• List of publications;
• List of 3 references.

M3I is a new chair that brings together the vital ingredients of i) well-educated talent, ii) good ideas, and iii) a strong network of academic, clinical and industrial partners - to perform research, development, demonstration and testing of novel technologies in imaging. Our overarching goal of this ecosystem is to have societal impact through translation of the new technologies, and through training of students and professionals.

We work on developing new imaging technologies for diagnostics, therapy guidance and therapy evaluation. The technologies are intended to provide patient-oriented solutions. Important clinical expertise areas are oncology and cardiovascular medicine. These novel technologies straddle most energy sources from light, to ultrasound, to x-rays and can be non- or minimally invasive, and ultrafast to real-time. Some are based on instrinsic tissues contrasts while others are enabled by the use of targeting markers, including molecular biomarkers, fluorescent tracers, and contrast agents.

The education by M3I serves the curricula of Technical Medicine and Biomedical Engineering with in-depth teaching of imaging concepts, and staff of M3I supervises clinical internships in (university) medical centers. M3I is located in the new Technical Medical Centre, where all health related academic activities of our university are concentrated.

The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.