Postdoc in Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasound Transducers (CMUTs) – DTU Health Tech

This multidisciplinary research project is focused on developing silicon MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) based 3D ultrasound transducers for medical ultrasound using cleanroom based micro-fabrication techniques. In the project a wide range of different processing techniques will be used, and new methods developed. So, if you are looking for a career in development and fabrication of microdevices with cutting edge cleanroom facilities and medical ultrasound this project could be a perfect match for.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Ultrasound is widely used at hospitals for medical imaging and allows both 2D (well-known from scanning during pregnancy) and 3D images to be created, which helps medical doctors in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Transducers for 3D imaging are advanced and complicated devices. Commercial 3D transducers are most often made as so-called matrix transducers, but these are limited in the number of ultrasound emitters that can be practically fabricated, which limits the attainable image quality.

To overcome this problem row-column addressed arrays (RCA) for ultrasonic imaging have recently attracted attention, as they offer volumetric imaging and larger arrays can be fabricated. Such arrays have very desirable properties as resolution scales linearly with the number of elements, and very large arrays with a good penetration depth are attainable.

Recent years has seen the development of transducers based on silicon technology. Using silicon micromachining allows for fabrication of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs).

Such CMUTs use integrated circuit fabrication technology to make very small (10-40 micron size) ultrasound transducers, which are grouped to form larger elements. Each of these devices have a thin plate that can be actuated by electrostatic forces thus generating an ultrasound pulse. 2D arrays with a very large array count can be fabricated and integrated with electronics to make an ultrasound probe. In this project there will be special emphasis on new microfabrication techniques suitable for CMUTs.

The purpose of this project is to fabricate CMUT probes that are suitable for ultrasound imaging using the DTU NanoLab clean room facility and use these with the facilities at Center for Fast Ultrasound imaging's (CFU) facilities for ultrasound imaging. DTU NanoLab has a state-of-the-art cleanroom suited for fabrication of micromachined structures where a wide range of versatile fabrication techniques and equipment are used. CFU are experts in synthetic aperture ultrasound imaging and has the SARUS experimental ultrasound scanner, which can acquire and process data from 1024 transducer elements in real time. In synthetic aperture imaging it is possible to build up the image from several emissions and different elements can be measured from emissions to emissions. Combining all the data will significantly increase the image quality. The purpose is therefore to make CMUT probes with a large number of elements based on a row-column addressing scheme. These are then interfaced to the SARUS system and commercial scanners for real-time operation and experimentation.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is one year. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Professor Erik V. Thomsen, [email protected] .

To learn more about the research in MEMS visit MEMS group  and you can find additional information on the research in ultrasound on Research at CFU .

You can read more about DTU Health Tech on www.healthtech.dtu.dk .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 14 April 2023 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Tech’s expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 150 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities.