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PhD Position: Physiological-Model-Based AI for Recovery Monitoring of Elderly after Hip Fracture Surgery

Position Overview

Are you looking for a PhD position within the SMARTTEST project at the EEMCS-BSS group? Join us and apply now!

The Biomedical Signals and Systems (BSS) group, within the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Twente, is seeking a PhD researcher to work on Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) systems as part of the EU Horizon 2023 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Project SMARTTEST. This research corresponds to Doctoral Candidate 8 (DC08).

Key Details:

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Salary: €2,901–€3,707 gross/month (based on full-time employment)

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Project Description

A hip fracture in older adults often leads to serious complications, with mortality rates as high as 10% within one month and 30% within a year after surgery. Continuous and accurate health monitoring is critical for assessing recovery progress and predicting adverse events, such as delirium, cardiac arrhythmias, and pneumonia. This project aims to develop an advanced health condition monitoring system that supports recovery management, reduces complications and mortality, and enhances quality of life.

Research Objectives:

Develop a health monitoring system based on multimodal physiological signals, such as:

Inertial measurement unit (IMU)

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Photoplethysmogram (PPG)

Electrodermal activity (EDA)

Contactless movement and physiological signals

Create physiological-model-based AI technologies for recovery assessment and adverse event prediction.

Design and implement a medical experimental protocol for both healthy and patient populations, including obtaining ethical approval.

This research will involve collaboration between the University of Twente and Ziekenhuisgroep Twente, a top clinical hospital.

Responsibilities

Conduct high-quality, internationally visible research, culminating in publications in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals.

Develop and implement innovative digital health monitoring technologies.

Collaborate closely with academic and healthcare professionals as well as partners within the SMARTTEST project.

Complete a PhD thesis within four years.

Participate in MSCA SMARTTEST consortium meetings, international conferences, and workshops.

Supervision

The candidate will be supervised by:

Dr. Ying Wang

Prof. Dr. Johannes H. Hegeman

Prof. Dr. Ir. Peter H. Veltink

The PhD researcher will be affiliated with the BSS-Ying Wang Research Lab.

Your Profile

We seek highly motivated and enthusiastic researchers who meet the following criteria:

Academic Requirements

Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Technical Medicine, or related fields.

Solid background in:

Biomedical signal analysis

Physiology dynamic systems

Machine learning technologies

Experience in human subject experiments is preferred.

Technical Skills

Strong programming proficiency (e.g., Matlab, Python).

Excellent organizational, research design, and planning skills.

Personal Attributes

Creativity and a willingness to push boundaries.

Motivation to tackle healthcare challenges using cutting-edge technology.

Strong team collaboration skills and ability to work with multidisciplinary professionals.

Proficiency in English with excellent writing skills and potential publication experience.

Open-mindedness and commitment to advancing healthcare monitoring technologies.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet specific MSCA eligibility rules.

Our Offer

Full-time PhD appointment for four years, with a qualifier in the first year.

Dynamic and stimulating scientific environment.

Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with the Dutch universities’ collective labor agreement (CAO-NU):

Salary: €2,901 (Year 1) to €3,707 (Year 4).

Holiday allowance: 8% of gross annual salary.

End-of-year bonus: 8.3%.

Solid pension scheme.

232+ leave hours annually (based on a 40-hour workweek).

Flexible remote work options.

Free campus sports facilities and family-friendly benefits (e.g., paid/unpaid parental leave).

Training programs through the Twente Graduate School.

Opportunities to attend national and international conferences and workshops.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their application via the ‘Apply now’ button before February 1, 2025. Include:

A motivation letter (max 1.5 pages A4) highlighting your interest, qualifications, and motivations for this position.

A full CV, including:

A summary of previous research.

Contact details for at least two references.

List of publications (if applicable).

Lists of courses and grades from BSc and MSc degrees.

Contact Information

For more details, contact Dr. Ying Wang at ying.wang@utwente.nl or visit the SMARTTEST website.

Selection Process

The first-round interview for selected applicants is expected to take place at the end of February 2025.