PhD in Contrast Ultrasound Imaging of Nanobubbles for Cancer Diagnostics

Introduction

Want to help replace painful prostate biopsies with smarter ultrasound? Join MOMENTUM, an NWO-funded project developing nanobubble-enhanced ultrasound imaging for cancer diagnostics, and design the pharmacokinetic models and signal analysis methods that turn nanobubble transport into a diagnostic biomarker.

Job Description

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the Netherlands, and its diagnosis still relies heavily on invasive biopsies. More accurate, noninvasive ultrasound imaging could reduce this burden considerably, but current contrast agents cannot fully capture the abnormal blood vessels that feed a tumor. Nanobubbles, a new generation of ultrasound contrast agent far smaller than those used today, promise to change that by reaching into the tumor tissue itself.

We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to develop the modeling and signal analysis methods that turn nanobubble ultrasound imaging into a quantitative diagnostic tool. You will work with imaging data acquired from lab-grown vascular models and translate the changes they show over time into pharmacokinetic and spatiotemporal models that describe how nanobubbles move through and beyond the microvasculature. The resulting parameters are candidate biomarkers for tumor angiogenesis, with prostate cancer as the initial clinical focus.

This PhD position is part of MOMENTUM, a project funded by the NWO Open Technology Programme that combines microfluidics, bubble physics, and ultrasound signal processing to bring nanobubble imaging closer to clinical use. You will collaborate closely with a fellow PhD candidate, a postdoc, and a technician working on the other parts of the project at TU/e and the University of Twente, as well as with industrial and clinical partners including Bracco, Angiogenesis Analytics, and the Amsterdam UMC. This position will be embedded in the Biomedical Diagnostics (BM/d) lab (Signal Processing Systems group, Department of Electrical Engineering, TU/e), and you will be supervised daily by dr. Simona Turco ([email protected]), together with prof. Massimo Mischi.

Job Requirements

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• Strong background in signal processing, statistical or kinetic modeling, and quantitative data analysis.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB and Python.
• A research-oriented attitude, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interest in collaborating with industrial and clinical partners.
• Strong interest in medical ultrasound imaging and cancer diagnostics.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).  
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.  
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) for international candidates. 

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact Simona Turco, Associate Professor, [email protected].

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HR Services, [email protected].

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Transcript of grades from master's and bachelor's degree.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until 06/11/2026, thus the final evaluation and selection will be made after that date.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.