PhD scholarship in Cardiac Vector Flow Ultrasound Imaging

A 3-year PhD scholarship is available at the Center for Fast Ultrasound Imaging (CFU), Department of Health Technology (DTU Health Tech), DTU and at the Department of Cardiology, Rigshosptalet from December 2021. It is conducted in collaboration between the two departments, and the overall purpose of the project is to further develop fast vector flow-based imaging of the heart and make it applicable for clinical use.

Responsibilities and qualifications
This PhD project develops a method for fast vector flow imaging on a Verasonics research scanner and determines its performance and applicability to cardiac diagnostics.

The first objective is to develop a fast, synthetic aperture (SA) scheme suitable for cardiac vector flow imaging (VFI). This will be validated in the laboratory at CFU on an artificial heart phantom and calibrated flow rigs. The validation will be based on the CFU scan framework employed at CFU for the Verasonics scanner. Metrics such as peak velocity, mean velocity, volume flow, turbulence index, and pressure gradient estimation will be implemented and validated.

The second objective is to develop a real time implementation of the approach based on GPU processing for the Verasonics scanner and a GE phased array probe. The system will include a touch screen interface suitable for the clinic, and the full data sets can be stored on the PC for further processing and optimization. Post review for the acquired data should also be possible. Finally, initial clinical studies with vector flow imaging in the heart will be conducted at Rigshospitalet to quantify flow patterns in normal hearts and cases with valve regurgitation. 

The research is conducted in a truly multi-disciplinary environment consisting of the  academic partners specializing in advanced ultrasound imaging at CFU and clinical investigations at Rigshospitalet, and the main purpose is to translate the SA VFI method from a research environment to the clinic.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.Experience with ultrasound imaging, GPU programming and digital signal processing is desirable.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in the Life Science PhD School at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide .

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 appointment terms
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 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .  

Further information
Further information is available at www.cfu. dtu.dk or from Professor Jørgen Arendt Jensen, tel: +45 4525 3924, e-mail: [email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Health Tech on www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english and about CFU at www.cfu.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
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 7 October 2021 (local time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here )

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, 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 Techs 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, 130 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 vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 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 around the world.