Netherlands : Two PhD-students for closed loop identification of the nociceptive system

The University of Twente is an entrepreneurial research university. It was founded in 1961 and offers education and research in areas ranging from public policy studies and applied physics to biomedical technology. The University of Twente is the Netherlands only campus university.

MIRA is the University of Twente’s Research Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine. In healthcare, technology is the catalyst for innovation. MIRA’s research starts with fundamental concepts and culminates in successful clinical application. The institute is successful in this translational approach thanks to its integration of technical and medical knowledge. This unique combination enables the rapid introduction of new treatment methods. MIRA works closely with hospitals, the business community and government organizations and aims to secure a leading position within Europe.

Project

The PaINSIGHT project, which is funded by the STW Perspective Programme NeuroSIPE, is a collaboration between the University of Twente and the University Medical Centre St. Radboud and focuses on parameter identification of the nociceptive system for improved monitoring of chronic pain development. The processing of noxious stimuli goes in several stages from peripheral input to the brain. This ascending system is controlled by descending connections from the brain. The function of both ascending and descending systems can be altered by nociceptive or neuropathic mechanisms, potentially leading to a chronic pain state. Insight into the initial malfunctioning of either of these systems would permit a better understanding and enable selection of interventions preventing the development of chronic pain. From a mathematical systems point of view, this closed loop system can be regarded as a fast forward system regulated by a slow feedback system. We will develop methods for psychophysical threshold tracking with controlled electrical stimulation together with mathematical closed loop identification methods to gain insight in the dynamic properties of the nociceptive system.

Positions

Within the PaINSIGHT project, two PhD positions are available on experimental/clinical and mathematical modeling tasks:

Vacancy 1: PhD-student at the BSS/RUMCN groups on experimental and clinical tasks

You will develop clinically applicable methods for tracking of multiple thresholds for electrocutaneous stimulation. Additionally, you will optimize experimental setups for controlled perturbation of the nociceptive system, which enables closed loop parameter estimation. You will validate both methods in healthy subjects and patients and demonstrate the effects of pharmacological interventions on estimated parameters.

Vacancy 2: PhD-student at the AAMP/BSS groups on modeling and identification tasks

Your role will be to turn the experimental data into meaningful characterizations of the ascending and descending nociceptive system. For this you will develop state of the art algorithms for parameter identification and improved models of relevant neurophysiological processes, resulting in minimal requirements for experimental and clinical observations. You will collaborate closely with the project team in the design and optimization of experimental protocols.

Profile

We are looking for applicants with a Msc degree in any relevant area of Mathematics, Physics or Biomedical Engineering. For the experimental tasks, basic knowlegde of neurophysiology or experience in clinical or psychophysical testing is required. For the modeling and identification tasks, skills in applied analysis or system and control theory are required. Candidates have demonstrated that they are goal oriented and can work accurately and independently. Moreover, we look for team players with excellent communication skills, particularly in written and spoken English.

Offer

We offer a research position in a dynamic and international environment. You will be appointed for a period of 4 years. The gross salary ranges from € 2.042 (first year) to € 2.612 (fourth year). The labor agreements are in accordance with the CAO-NU for Dutch universities, and include a holiday allowance (8%) and an end-of-year bonus (8.3%), and a number of additional benefits. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent campus facilities, and actively supports professional and personal development.

Information and application

For further information about these positions you can contact dr. ir. J.R. Buitenweg (phone +31 53 489 2705, email J.R.Buitenweg@ewi.utwente.nl) or dr. H.G.E. Meijer (phone +31 53 4893416, email meijerhge@ewi.utwente.nl). You are invited to send a written application with a full CV, including relevant education and work experience, publications, possibly with references, to

Mw. W. Elfers

Biomedical Signals and Systems

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

University of Twente

P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Applications should be received before May 17^th, 2010. Please mention the vacancy number 10/054 (experimental tasks) or 10/055 (modeling tasks).

Further Information

Application Deadline : 17 May 2010

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Posted on 2010-05-02 08:57:33

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