PhD candidate 'Development of an integrated system for breast cancer imaging | focus point ultrasound'

AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

8.3% end-of-year bonus

Travel allowance €0.18 per km

Home-working days €2.40 per day

Flexible benefits scheme

Onboarding app

Job summary

Radboudumc invites applications for a PhD candidate focusing on developing a joint ultrasound-tomosynthesis imaging system for breast cancer. You will work on 3D ultrasound using an ultra-wide transducer mounted for tomosynthesis data, producing datasets to enhance X-ray data.

You will validate methods with phantoms and progress toward first patient images, collaborating with AXTI and industry partners to translate results into clinical evaluation.

Qualifications

• MSc level degree in physics, mathematics, engineering, Technical medicine or related field.
• Experience or interest in physics modeling, inverse problems, and/or image processing.
• Proficiency in programming with Python, C/C++, Matlab or similar.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate methods for 3D ultrasound in a joint ultrasound-tomosynthesis system.
• Work with phantoms and progress toward first patient images.
• Collaborate with AXTI lab and industry partners for translation to clinical evaluation.
• Present at conferences and publish results.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Matlab

English communication

Education

MSc in physics, mathematics, engineering or technical medicine

Tools

Python

C/C++

Matlab

Job description

Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc)

Organisation/Company Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) Research Field Engineering » Biomedical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 28 Oct 2026 - 23:00 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 36.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Job description Ultrasound and tomosynthesis are the most prevalent modalities used for breast imaging, and each has its specific advantages and disadvantages. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create a cross-sectional image of the tissue and has excellent depth resolution, but limited resolution in directions perpendicular to the transmitted ultrasound lines. Tomosynthesis uses x rays to create a pseudo-3D representation of the breast with high in-plane spatial resolution, but low out-of-plane (depth) resolution. Therefore, both techniques are complementary to each other.

We plan to develop a joint system that will use the information from each modality to improve the image quality of the other, yielding not only a multi-modality imaging system, but a joint imaging system. The combination of tomosynthesis and ultrasound into a single joint imaging system will yield improved images from two independent and complementary sources, with inherent spatial correlation, allowing for improved lesion detection, even in dense breasts, and the direct multi-modal assessment of suspicious lesions. For this multi-disciplinary project, we will be working in collaboration with the Advanced X-ray Tomography Imaging (AXTI) lab of our Department, who will be developing the X-ray aspects of this system (see accompanying vacancy).

In this project, you will focus on 3D ultrasound by using an ultra-wide ultrasound transducer that is mounted in a paddle required for acquisition of tomosynthesis data. In this way, a 3D ultrasound dataset can be acquired that can be used to improve the x-ray data by using the high-axial resolution US data. Additionally, the ultrasound data can be improved by using the high-resolution x-ray data. You will develop and validate these methods using both digital and physical phantoms, working towards first patient images at the end of the project. All of this will be in collaboration with a PhD student focusing on the x-ray aspects of the project, and industry partners to facilitate the translation of these methods into clinical evaluation. Tasks will also include presenting at international scientific conferences and writing papers on the newly developed methods and study results.

PhD candidate 'Development of an integrated system for breast cancer imaging | focus point X-ray'

• You should be a creative and enthusiastic researcher with a MSc degree in physics, mathematics, engineering, Technical medicine, or similar.
• Experience or interest in physics modeling, inverse problems, and/or image processing, and affinity with biomedical research.
• Experience in programming in python, C/C++, Matlab, or similar.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

Additional Information

Well arranged With us, you receive 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and - depending on your role - an irregular hours allowance ranging from 47% to 72%. In addition, you are entitled to 176 vacation hours per year (based on a 36-hour work week).

Compensation You will receive a €0.18 per kilometer travel allowance. Public transport costs (2nd class) are fully reimbursed. If you work partly or entirely from home, you will receive €2.40 per home-working day. This way, everything is well arranged-wherever you work.

Flexible benefits scheme With our flexible benefits scheme, you decide how to use part of your employment benefits. Purchase extra leave days or use your year-end bonus to buy a bicycle with tax benefits. You choose what suits you best.

Warm welcome We believe a good start is important. Thanks to our onboarding app, you’ll be well prepared even before your first working day. During the introduction day, you’ll get to know your colleagues and our organization.

Changing allowance If you are required to wear Radboudumc work clothing and change outside working hours, you will receive a changing allowance of €80 gross per month for a full-time position, provided this applies to your role.

Salary increase At our organization, your work is valued. Your salary will increase in line with the collective labor agreement in two steps: by 3.5% as of July 1, 2026, and an additional 3.5% as of May 1, 2027. This means you’ll see a solid increase in your salary within a short period of time.

Work-life balance We consider a healthy work-life balance essential. Through inspiring training sessions, mindfulness activities, and caregiver consultation hours, we support you in every phase of your life.

Growth and development Our online learning environment offers a wide range of training courses, e-learnings, and educational programs-from professional specialization to personal development. This allows you to keep growing and make the most of your talents.

Additional comments

• The following should be included in your application: CV, letters of motivation, list of completed courses and grades, and reprints or, preferably, links to your thesis or any scientific publications or reports that you have written.
• The first job interviews will take place on 2 November 2026. Please take this into account.
• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Want to know more?

We’re happy to provide more information!

Marjolein Bastiaans

06- 31 11 33 40

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