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

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. 

Place of work

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.

Profile

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.

Employment conditions

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. 

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.40 per day.

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your application before 25 February 2025. We will then contact you shortly.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

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

Contact

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.