PhD position on Cardiorespiratory Modelling and Simulation in Critical Care

Job description

The Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiology (CRPH) group of the University of Twente is looking for a PhD-candidate in a collaboration project with the Med-tech company Getinge AB, Sweden. In this 4-year project you will use computational modelling and simulations to create clinical decision support tools that will ultimately improve the daily care for critically ill patients. The focus of this ground-breaking research is on better understanding of heart-lung interactions and possible applications in acute and critical care (anaesthesiology and intensive care). In this project, 0-D computational models of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems including mechanical support will be used to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. The CRPH group has a long experience in the field of modelling and simulation and a unique physiological simulator that you will use during this project. You will be responsible for tasks such as model validation, enhance the realism of the current model, setting up virtual clinical trials, data analysis and interpretation. You will write scientific articles and participate in conferences to present and discuss the results of your work throughout the project. You will play a central role in this project while working closely together with the academic staff of the UT and the Innovation team at Getinge. Getinge is a leading Med-tech company with a long tradition of creating innovations that save lives. Some of Getinge’s key products are mechanical ventilators, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation devices, intra-aortic balloon pumps and advanced hemodynamic monitoring. Their Critical Care Product Area is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and you will visit its Innovation team regularly during this project. The close collaboration with this multi-disciplinary team of experts is a unique opportunity for you to learn both clinical and technical aspects and create a bridge between academia and industry, in an open and collaborative way. This is also a unique opportunity that will open multiple future carrier paths for you.

Your profile

We look for a highly motivated, enthusiastic PhD candidate who is driven by curiosity and has:

• -or will shortly acquire-, a Master degree, or equivalent, in Technical Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, (applied) Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field.
•  experience with programming, modelling and simulation (e.g. C++, Matlab, Python, LabVIEW).
• excellent analytical skills and problem-solving attitude.
• knowledge and interest in cardiorespiratory physiology and critical care is meritorious.
• previous research experience and scientific publications are meritorious.
• a team player spirit and likes to work in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
• excellent communication skills.
• proficiency in English.

Our offer

• A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, and the flexibility to partially work from home.
• You will have a full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from €2770,- (first year) to €3539,- (fourth year) , plus holiday allowance (8%) and end-of-year bonus (8.3%).
• A green and lively campus with free access to sports facilities.
• 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.
• You will get first-hand experience in medical device pre-development in a leading global Med-tec company.

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before July 1st, 2024, 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.
• 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. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

About the department

You will be appointed as member of the CRPH group, which is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology (TNW) and embedded in the Biomedical Imaging and Sensing department. The CRPH group is also involved in the Medical Physiology and E-health Technology research domain of the TechMed Centre. We are a young and growing, but close, interdisciplinary and international group, where freedom, ambition and team spirit are highly valued. Together with our clinical partners we strive to develop innovative, practical solutions for intensive daily care working together with the biomedical industry.

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.