PhD-student in medical sciences, Biomedical Engineering

The Department of Diagnostics and Intervention at the Faculty of Medicine is looking for a doctoral student in the subject of Biomedical Engineering, focusing on motion analysis and motor control in relation to treatment of a neurological disorder (essential tremor). The employment period is four years and refers to full-time starting 2024-09-01 or as agreed.

If admitted to postgraduate education, you will take part of the faculty postgraduate education program at the Faculty of Medicine. The program comprises 25 credits over 8 semesters (4 years in total). More information about the program can be found on the faculty's website for postgraduate education (PhD education at the Faculty of Medicine - handbook )

Description of work

Essential tremor (ET) is a slowly progressive disorder characterized by postural and kinetic tremors most often affecting the forearms and hands. It is a common neurological disorder, with a large negative impact on movement function and thus quality of life. The exact mechanisms behind ET are unknown but involve an overactivity in the brain areas that control body movements and coordination in general. The pathology may look different for different subgroups of ET. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is electrical stimulation of brain tissue via implanted electrodes which is very effective in reducing tremor. The treatment can sometimes cause other neurological problems that require the treatment to be stopped or adjusted, and it is not fully understood why.

In this research project, the relationship between DBS, treatment outcomes in people with ET and underlying mechanisms is investigated. Within the research project, movement measurement (with motion sensors and optical motion capture systems) and brain imaging with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are used to better understand the relationship between electrode placement, stimulation settings, treatment results and the patient's specific motor dysfunction at brain and body level. This research is expected to give keys to more effective DBS treatments for ET and a better overall understanding of the disease. Read more about the project here .

The employment is aimed at a doctoral degree. The doctoral education includes participation in the research project as well as attending journal clubs, conferences, and seminars in relation to the project. More about the employment as a doctoral student is found here .

Your role in the project is to work with measurements and analysis within movement capture and brain imaging. The analysis will involve advanced signal processing and methodological development. You will work in an interdisciplinary research environment, where there is expertise in movement analysis, DBS treatment, physiotherapy, image analysis and machine learning.

Eligibility requirements

To be admitted to education at the postgraduate level, the applicant must have basic and specific qualifications, and have any other skill necessary to take advantage of the education.

Basic qualifications

To be admitted to education at the postgraduate level, the applicant must have basic qualifications through a degree at advanced level or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at advanced level, or equivalent foreign education or other equivalent qualifications.

This requirement must be met no later than the time at which the appointment decision is made.

To be accepted, it is also required that the applicant can communicate well in English, both orally and in writing, as well as any other skill necessary to take advantage of the education. Both written and oral skills are intended. Assessment of these skills is done by a prospective doctoral student presenting the research plan in English to an assessment group, appointed by the head of department.

Previous experience in signal processing of physiological signals, programming, measurements and analysis of body movement and motor control, deeper knowledge in neuroscience related to movement control, and/or analysis of medical images and brain data is particularly advantageous.

Application

A complete application must include:

• A cover letter summarizing your qualifications, scientific interests and motives for applying (max two pages)
• A CV (Curriculum Vitae)
• Diplomas of bachelor and Master level degrees
• Bachelor/Master theses work/other relevant publications
• Contact information to two reference persons

Your application should be written on English or Swedish. Your application must be submitted via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system no later than 2024-05-31.

Salary

The salary is decided based on a local agreement of salaries for doctoral students.

Welcome with your application!