3 PhD position – Surgical Robotics – UTwente Netherlands

The Surgical Robotics Laboratory in the Department of Biomechanical Engineering (Faculty of Engineering Technology and MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine) at the University of Twente, The Netherlands has 3 openings for PhD Candidates within the research area of Surgical Robotics.

Research project description
Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized medicine by enabling interventions without large incisions, thereby significantly improving clinical outcomes. Such surgical techniques include insertions of needles, catheters, and micro-robots. For effective medical diagnosis and treatment, the device must reach its intended target. In order to increase the targeting accuracy of the procedure and improve clinical outcomes, the goal of this research project is to develop methods for modeling and controlling a range flexible surgical devices and medical microrobots, as they interact and navigate through the body. Techniques would be developed to track and control the path of the novel devices using images (MR and ultrasound imaging modalities).

The present project will be conducted within the Surgical Robotics Laboratory (www.surgicalroboticslab.nl) and research facilities of MIRA (www.utwente.nl/mira/), and the Department of Biomechanical Engineering (www.utwente.nl/ctw/bw/misra). In addition there are excellent opportunities for collaboration with the University Medical Centre Groningen, and several institutions abroad.

The successful applicant has a background in mechanical, biomedical, or electrical engineering, or applied physics or in a closely related discipline. He or she should possess excellent skills and practical experience in one or more of the following research areas: system dynamics and control, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical design, or image processing. Experience at the intersection of one or more of these areas is desirable. Fluency in English is required, you need to provide your IELTS or TOEFL test results. An interview will be part of the selection procedure.

Information and application
Questions regarding this positions can be directed to Sarthak Misra, PhD (Associate Professor), phone: +31-53-4892704, email: s.misra@utwente.nl.

Department website: www.utwente.nl/ctw/bw/misra. Lab website: www.surgicalroboticslab.nl

Please send your application with c.v. (including contact information for at least two academic references) and transcripts from your Bachelors and/or Masters degrees as a SINGLE PDF file before 15 March 2015, via the link below.

We offer a very challenging fulltime position for four years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) the gross monthly salary ranges from € 2.125,- in the first year to € 2.717,- in the fourth year. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus, and a number of additional benefits. Your main responsibility will be to carry out research, but you will be given the opportunity to acquire some teaching experience as well.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over six faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (CTW) is one of the six faculties of the University of Twente. CTW combines Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. Our faculty has approximately 1800 bachelor and master students, 300 employees and 150 PhD candidates. The departments of the faculty cooperatively conduct the educational programmes and participate in interdisciplinary research projects, programmes and the research institutes: MIRA, CTIT, and IGS.