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

AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance 8%

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Travel allowance €0.18 per km

Home-working day allowance €2.40

Flexible benefits

Onboarding app

Changing allowance €80 gross per month

Salary progression per collective LAB

Job summary

Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands is seeking a PhD candidate to develop an integrated imaging system combining ultrasound and tomosynthesis. You will concentrate on x-ray data preprocessing and joint reconstruction, validating with phantoms and progressing toward patient images.

The project is collaborative with the MUSIC lab, involves collaboration with industry partners, and requires a MSc in physics, math, computing, or engineering with programming in Python/C++/MATLAB and

Qualifications

• MSc degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, medical physics, 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.

Responsibilities

• Focus on the x-ray related data preprocessing and on the joint reconstruction itself.
• Validate these using both digital and physical phantoms, working towards first patient images at the end of the project.
• Present at international scientific conferences and write papers on the newly developed methods and study results.

Skills

Physics modelling

Inverse problems

Image processing

English communication

Education

MSc in physics/mathematics/CS/engineering/medical physics

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. 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. 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.
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 Medical UltraSound Imaging Center (MUSIC) lab of our Department, who will be developing the ultrasound aspects of this system (see accompanying vacancy).
In this project you will focus on the x-ray related data preprocessing and on the joint reconstruction itself. You will validate these 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 ultrasound 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 ultrasound'

• You should be a creative and enthusiastic researcher with a MSc degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, medical physics, 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 in English 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
Send an email