Key Skills

Job Description

Job Description Project background Anemia is a frequently occurring condition in hospitalized patients, requiring regular invasive sampling for the analysis of blood hemoglobin (Hb) levels to prevent complications or to initiate therapy. Invasive hemoglobin analysis is associated with adverse complications, including iatrogenic blood loss and delayed decision making. This is particularly problematic for vulnerable patients such as premature newborns and surgical patients. Non-invasive alternatives exist, but are not sufficiently reliable to replace invasive sampling. Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (sOCT) offers a novel approach to non-invasive hemoglobin analysis. Whereas conventional non-invasive approaches suffer from signal crosstalk from an unknown amount of non-vascular tissue, sOCT uniquely images microvascular skin anatomy and subsequently confines the Hb determination to vascular tissue exclusively. By excluding the non-vascular component, this approach provides a direct, one-on-one comparison to the current gold standard of invasive blood analysis. Our aim is to develop sOCT-Hb determinations for both newborn and adult anemic patients with clinically relevant accuracy and precision. The PhD project In this PhD project, you will develop and apply a spectroscopic optical coherence tomography system for non-invasive hemoglobin analysis in newborns and adults. The project contains technological elements (development of sOCT signal analysis models), experimental elements (model validation), engineering elements (clinical sOCT system development) and clinical elements (application on patients).You will be a member of the Biomedical Photonic Imaging group of the University of Twente and will collaborate closely with engineers, clinicians and scientists. During this four-year project, you will conduct research leading to a PhD dissertation. As part of your PhD training, you will also complete approximately 30 EC of courses and professional development activities. Your profile You have a master degree in the field of Physics or Biomedical Engineering, and have proven experimental skills in optics. Prior experience with OCT and hands-on experience with optical system development are considered a strong asset. You have excellent coding, modelling and analysis skills. You enjoy moving between fundamental understanding, modelling, instrument development and experimental validation. You have strong interpersonal skills and are comfortable conducting research involving human participants. You work carefully and systematically and have excellent organizational skills. You have a good team spirit and like to work in a multidisciplinary team. You are fluent in English and possess strong scientific writing skills. Our offer A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home. Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU). You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.204,- (first year) to € 4.051,- (fourth year). There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme. A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis. Free access to sports facilities on campus. A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid). You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision. Information and application Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before December 1 2026, and include: A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position. A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references. For non-Dutch applicants: an IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Prof.dr.ir. Nienke Bosschaart ([email protected]). AI-generated applications will not be considered. Screening is part of the selection procedure. About The Department At the Biomedical Photonic Imaging group, we investigate the use of light for medical purposes. Our aim is to develop optical technologies for medical research and diagnosis, in particular in the fields of microscopy, wound healing and mother-and-child care. Physiological properties of primary interest to us are microcirculatory blood flow, hemoglobin concentrations, blood oxygenation and light scattering properties in general. Our approaches include physical research into light-tissue interaction and its measurement, biomedical engineering to realize suitable instrumentation for ex/in vivo use, and clinical evaluation together with medical partners. About The Organisation The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.

Core Responsibilities

Develop and apply a spectroscopic optical coherence tomography system for non-invasive hemoglobin analysis in newborn and adult patients, including signal-analysis models, system engineering, and experimental validation. Conduct clinical research with patients in collaboration with engineers, clinicians, and scientists, and complete a PhD dissertation and associated training.

Requirements

Applicants must have a master's degree in Physics or Biomedical Engineering, proven experimental skills in optics, and strong coding, modelling, and analysis abilities. They should be comfortable with optical system development, experimental and human-participant research, multidisciplinary teamwork, and scientific writing, and be fluent in English; prior OCT experience is an asset.

Benefits

• Flexible Work From Home
• Holiday Allowance
• End-Of-Year Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Paid Leave
• Extra Leave Hours
• Campus Sports Facilities
• Paid And Unpaid Parental Leave
• Training And Professional Development