PhD candidate 'AI-driven handheld echo to detect hip dysplasia'

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10 days remaining

PhD candidate 'AI-driven handheld echo to detect hip dysplasia'

Deadline Published on Vacancy ID 200886-P1724133-1
Apply now
10 days remaining

Academic fields

Natural sciences; Health

Job types

PhD; Research, development, innovation

Education level

University graduate

Weekly hours

36 hours per week

Salary indication

€3017—€3824 per month

Location

Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen

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Job description

Are you passionate about improving the early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants? Do you want to work on groundbreaking AI algorithms and test them in practice in collaboration with Child Health Care centers? Join our project and revolutionize ultrasound imaging with the help of artificial intelligence!

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) affects 3% of infants under six months. Early detection of DDH allows for effective treatment. In the Netherlands, early detection of DDH is integrated into the Child Health Care (CHC) disease prevention program and is performed at the CHC centers. Screening is based on identifying risk factors (physical examination, breech position, family history) and when an infant is deemed at risk, it is referred to a hospital for an ultrasound. The sensitivity of this current prevention program without ultrasound is 86%, implying that approximately one out of seven infants with DDH remains undiagnosed at an early stage. The objective of this project is to enhance early detection of DDH in the Netherlands, aiming to improve the sensitivity beyond the current 86%.

Ultrasonographic examination stands as the global gold standard for diagnosing DDH. Since a well-trained sonographer is crucial for accurate ultrasound-based classification of DDH, diagnosis cannot be performed at the CHC center because it requires months of training. Within this project, artificial intelligence (AI) will be implemented into a smartphone application to enable a guided ultrasound acquisition of the infant hip at the CHC center to establish a universal and consistent screening system, provide appropriate care at the right place, minimize interrater variances, enhance sensitivity, and contribute to cost reduction.

In this project you will not only work on developing computationally efficient AI algorithms, but we also expect you to be active in data collection and field testing in collaboration with CHC centers which are part of the consortium. During this project you will be visiting CHC's where the system will be used. Within previous projects, MUSIC has already successfully developed a first version of this smartphone application for selective ultrasound screening. Within this project, our commercial partner Ardim will provide support on the app development. This project is aimed at revolutionizing ultrasound imaging by introducing general screening for DDH at the CHC center.

You will work on technical development of the AI algorithms and clinical validation of these algorithms in practice by:
  • Developing AI algorithms for acquiring the correct ultrasound images.
  • Developing and validating an AI based algorithm to analyze the correct images in order to detect DDH.
  • Testing the developed techniques.
  • Embed the developed system in an smartphone application for the smartphone.
  • Perform clinical evaluations of the developed system in collaboration with clinicians at CHC centers.

Requirements

You are a highly motivated, creative, and enthusiastic researcher with an MSc degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related area. You have an interest in, or experience with, deep learning and medical image analysis, and you have an affinity for programming in Python.

Additionally, good knowledge of medical imaging, particularly ultrasound, is a plus. Previous experience with app development, especially in Kotlin, is also advantageous. Moreover, Dutch-speaking candidates are preferred, as you will need to interact with CHC physicians and patients. Finally, you have excellent communication skills.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:
  • Upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.017 based on a full-time appointment). Over a maximum period of 4 years, you will progress to scale 10A, step 3 (€3.824 based on a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
  • 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week.

Employer

Radboudumc

The project is embedded in the Medical UltraSound Imaging Center (MUSIC) of the Department of Medical Imaging of the Radboud university medical center. Within MUSIC we have ample experience in developing AI driven ultrasound solutions by collaborating with the Diagnostic Image Analysis Group (DIAG).

The Department of Medical Imaging is one of the leading centers in the world as also demonstrated by US News & World Report that ranked us 3th best Medical Imaging Department in the world.

For this project, you will work in a small and dedicated team of 4 people devoted to this subject. This team is embedded in MUSIC with 20 people working on ultrasound innovations and DIAG with over 100 people on AI driven image analysis. You will be based in offices with up to max 6 people to boost interaction between scientist working on this topic. Working from home for one day per week is facilitated by full remote access to all data and archives and further boosted to online meeting possibilities. Both groups have an excellent working ambiance and social culture to facilitate out-of office activities.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare.

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Additional information

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then email to Chris de Korte, Head of the Medical Ultrasound Imaging Center. Use the Apply button to submit your application.

Application procedure

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then email to Chris de Korte, Head of the Medical Ultrasound Imaging Center. Use the Apply button to submit your application.

#weareradboudumc

Radboud university medical center is a university medical center for patient care, scientific research, and education in Nijmegen. We want to have a significant impact on healthcare.

Will you make the difference?

Apply now
10 days remaining