2 PhD positions in Cardiovascular Biomechanics in Netherlands | Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Advances in imaging techniques, such as real time three-dimensional echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), have increased the amount of quantitative information on cardiac anatomy and the spatial distribution of local cardiac function in the diseased heart. Interpretation of these functional indices towards the origin of the disease, the pathologic change of myocardial electrical and mechanical tissue properties, remains challenging. Patient specific image-based models of cardiac function are likely to become important decision support tools for clinicians in the future, as they link geometrical and tissue properties to function through laws of physics and physiology.

Within the group Cardiovascular Biomechanics, two positions are available for the development of tools for clinical decision making in cardiac disease. Aim of the first PhD project is to extend our generic models of cardiac electro-mechanics to image based patient specific models, for extraction of spatial maps of cardiac tissue properties. Aim of the second PhD project is to extend our models with the long-term effects of myocardial tissue growth and remodeling, for prospective prediction of the long-term outcome of candidate intervention strategies.

You will work as an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) in a team of researchers in the MUSICA project, funded by the Marie Curie Actions program of the EU. You will work with consortium members not only at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), but also at Politecnico di Milano (IT), Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London (UK), Gent University (BE), and Philips Healthcare (NL) . Part of your time will be spent at other institutions of the consortium in the form of secondments.

Biomedical Engineering (BME)

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers Bachelor's and Master's programs in Biomedical Engineering, Medical Sciences and Technology, and Medical Engineering. In addition, the department participates in leading national and international research programs. Research areas range from Molecular Bioengineering and Molecular Imaging, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering to Biomedical Imaging and Modeling. The department has more than 750 students and 200 staff members.

Cardiovascular Biomechanics (CVB)

The group Cardiovascular Biomechanics investigates the human cardiovascular system to find new diagnostic and/or therapeutic methods for cardiovascular disease. Our approach is model-based assessment of cardiovascular properties, and translation of these properties into diagnostic or therapeutically relevant numbers or patient properties. The group shares excellent computational and experimental facilities with the groups of tissue engineering and orthopaedic biomechanics of the department of biomedical engineering, and polymer engineering and metals research of the department of mechanical engineering. We have a solid track record on diagnostic methods that have already found their way to the clinic.

Requirements

Applicants should have a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or related disciplines. Applicants with prior experience in continuum mechanics and finite element modeling of biological systems will be given highest preference.

Candidates will be required to meet the Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher eligibility criteria. In particular, at the time of recruitment, candidates must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate. They are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. At the time of recruitment, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the start date.

We offer:

• An exciting job in the active research group Cardiovascular Biomechanics.
• A full time appointment for four years by Eindhoven University of Technology
• A gross monthly salary from €2125 (first year) to €2717 (fourth year) in line with the Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• A generous travel allowance to visit other consortium members.
• An attractive package of fringe benefits, including end-of-year allowance, a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program, w3.tue.nl/en/services/dpo/career_and_development/proof_program ), and excellent sports facilities.