PhD Position AI for Ultrasound Localization Microscopy

Challenge: Developing high-speed 3D ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM)

Change: State-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to improve ULM

Impact: Enable visualizing 3D microvascular function in living organisms

Artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies are propelling nearly all imaging applications in life science and biomedical research. Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM) is a breakthrough imaging modality that enables scientists to visualize the microvasculature of living organisms with a 10 microns precision. However, ULM is currently relatively slow. To go beyond the state of the art, one can rely on physics prior and latest AI techniques to accelerate ULM imaging in 3 dimensions. In this PhD project you will be embedded in a multidisciplinary collaboration enabling you to pursue advances at the interface of AI, ultrasound physics and medical imaging.

• A master’s degree in applied physics, biomedical engineering, computer science or similar.
• Experience in programming (Python and/or Matlab).
• Good interpersonal and communications skills.
• Prior experience in AI/machine learning is a plus.
• Affinity for biomedical imaging is a plus.
• Motivation for teaching and studentsupervision is a plus.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

TU Delft offers DAI-Lab PhD-candidates a 5-year contract (as opposed to the normal 4-years), with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Approximately a fifth of your time will be allocated to developing groundbreaking learning materials and educating students in these new subjects.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Artificial intelligence, data and digitalisation are becoming increasingly important when looking for answers to major scientific and societal challenges. The candidate will be hosted at the Department of Imaging Physics, Faculty of Applied Science, TU Delft, where scientists pursue cutting-edge advancements in instrumentation and imaging. As a PhD, you will work under the supervision of Dr Qian Tao (AI for medical imaging), Dr David Maresca (3D ultrasound imaging) and Dr Carlas Smith (super-resolution microscopy). You will receive a 5-year contract, approximately a fifth of your time will be allocated to university education in the field of AI. You will be a member of the thriving Delft AILabs community that fosters cross-fertilization between talents with different expertise and disciplines.

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

The Department of Imaging Physics (ImPhys) focuses on developing novel instruments and imaging technologies. These research products extend existing boundaries in terms of spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and information/data throughput. We are pioneers in developing advanced concepts of computational imaging, a marriage between cleverly designed imaging systems and sophisticated post-processing. ImPhys’s profile encompasses a mix of science, engineering and design. While the spectrum of imaging physics is very broad, we focus on a few key fields where we generate impact: Life sciences, Healthcare and High tech industry.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15th of May 2024 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here  for more information.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

For further information please contact David Maresca ([email protected] ) or Qian Tao ([email protected] )