PhD on Digital Twin in Healthcare for Brain Perfusion and Metabolism

The Computational Science Lab  at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for a PhD Research Position with goal to develop a Digital Twin in Healthcare for Brain Perfusion and Metabolism, and apply it to study details of perfusion and infarction of brain tissue under pathologic conditions (e.g. in an acute ischemic stroke, or after a ruptured cerebral aneurism). This position situates within a vibrant research group that maintains a broad scientific collaboration network, including several clinical institutes, experimental groups, and supercomputing centers across Europe.

What are you going to do?

Project: Digital Twin in Healthcare for Brain Perfusion and Metabolism

Aim: Building upon earlier computational models for brain perfusion, metabolism, and infarction, you will develop a high-fidelity Digital Twin, that will become a generic modelling and simulation platform to study (patho)physiology of brain perfusion and related processes (metabolism, infarction, oedema, bleeding in the brain, vasospasm, etc.). The Digital Twin will be validated against clinical data, and credibility assessments will be performed. Finally, in collaboration with (clinical) partners, the Digital Twin will be applied to contribute to decision support tools in preventing or treating strokes.

Context: The research is part of Gemini project (https://dth-gemini.eu), a large international collaboration developing and applying Digital Twin in Healthcare for ischemic and haemorrhagic strokes. In your research you will be collaborating intensively with a number of partners in this project.

Tasks and key responsibilities:

• You will be developing a versatile plug-and-play HPC-aware simulation tool for brain perfusion, metabolism, and infarction, relying on state-of-the-art software environments (such as e.g. Fenics) and coupling libraries (such as e.g. MUSCLE). Next, you will validate the simulation and apply uncertainty quantification to enhance fidelity and enable patient-specific utilization. You will rely on applying and combining methodologies from computational fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, and mathematical optimization.
• You will collaborate with both local and international partners (this includes clinical, experimental, and computational partners) to maintain the comprehensiveness and applicability of the research.
• You will participate in academic education based on mutual agreement (assisting in one of our courses or supervising student thesis projects).

What do you have to offer?

The ideal candidate for our PhD Research Position is eager to learn and isn’t afraid to seek help or use resources. They see mistakes as valuable lessons and actively seek feedback and mentorship to grow their skills. With a blend of persistence and openness to learning, they will navigate through the complexities of computational science and medical research, always looking to improve and contribute meaningfully to the core project.

Your experience and profile:

You hold a MSc in Computational Science, Computer Science, Computational Physics, Applied Math, Biomedical Engineering, or related field, and have a strong and proven interest in biomedicine. You have a keen interest in medical simulation research, both in basic understanding of physiology via simulation as well as to applications in a clinical setting.

You are experienced with python and C++ and with software engineering tools and are familiar with version control (git). If needed, you are eager and willing to learn new skills in computational fluid dynamics, numerical methods, or programming.

You have a professional command of written and spoken English (training in academic skills is an advantage).

Familiarity with any of the following is considered an advantage: GPU programming, numerical algorithms, high-performance computing, medical image segmentation, finite element method, biology of brain perfusion.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,770 in the first year to € 3,539 in the last year (scale P). UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO profile PhD Candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• A complete educational program for PhD students;
• Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here .

About us

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science (FNWI) has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The mission of the Informatics Institute (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.

You can find further information on the group (Computational Science Lab) at the following URLs:

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Note: you cannot apply directly via email!

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 17 June 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files apart from your CV should be submitted in one single pdf file ):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation (max. 1 page);
• a digital copy of your Master’s thesis;
• a complete record of Bachelor and Master courses (including grade transcripts and the explanation of the grading system used by your university);
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation, (one of whom should be the main supervisor of your Master thesis).
• Please do NOT include any recommendation letters.

Please make sure to provide ALL requested documents mentioned above.

You can use the CV field to upload your resume as a separate pdf document. Use the Cover Letter field to upload the other requested documents, including the motivation letter, as one single pdf file .

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: National knowledge security guidelines ).

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. Please don’t send any applications by email.

We will invite potential candidates for interviews soon after the expiration of the vacancy.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

If you encounter Error GBB451/ GBC451, please try using a VPN connection when outside of the European Union. Please reach out directly to our HR Department  directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.

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