PhD in Medical Image Analysis

Department/faculty: Applied Sciences

Level: Master degree
Working hours: 38 hours per week
Contract: 4 years
Salary: €2062 to €2638

Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,800 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

The position will be in the Department of Imaging Science and Technology (IST) of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at TU Delft. This department performs cutting-edge research spanning the range from understanding the basic principles underlying imaging technology to automated image analysis.


The Quantitative Imaging (QI) section performs fundamental and applied research in sensing (imaging systems), processing, analysis, and interpretation of multi-dimensional images. The research is applied in three multi-disciplinary fields: medical image processing, bio-molecular imaging (including microscopy and lab-on-a-chip), and industrial imaging.
The programmes are conducted in close collaboration with partners in academia (including several university medical centres), industry, and governmental research institutes.

Job description

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the western world. In the Netherlands, the incidence and mortality in 2011 were 13,254 and 5,088 respectively. Patients with colorectal cancer frequently present with liver metastases for which (partial) resection is an often applied therapy. The remaining part of the liver after resection—future remnant liver—should allow adequate liver function.
This assessment now includes a volumetric characterisation, which is relatively easy to perform but is less important than the functional status of the future remnant liver, which includes hepatocyte extraction function and liver fat content.
The objective of the PhD programme is to develop new MR image analysis methods to predict the functional status of the future remnant liver based on contrast-enhanced MRI. This will be combined with quantitative, MRI-based methods that allow segmental assessment of liver fat percentage.
The PhD student will closely collaborate with other PhD students involved in radiological and medical image analysis research.   

Requirements

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic candidate with an MSc degree in (applied) physics or a related subject. He/she must have an excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and a top 20% ranking during his/her BSc and MSc studies. Experience in image processing is helpful. Good programming skills in MATLAB and C are a necessity.

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home (with a contract of two years or longer), and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.phd.tudelft.nl for more information.

Information and application

For more information about this position, please contact M.S.M. Jungschlager, phone: +31 (0)15-2781416, e-mail: M.S.M.Jungschlager@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV, publication list and references along with a letter of application by 1 October 2013 to M.S.M. Jungschlager, M.S.M.Jungschlager@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number TNW13-024.