Postdoc position in microbubbles for ultrasound molecular imaging
You will investigate how microfluidically formed, targeted, monodisperse microbubbles change their acoustic response upon molecular binding in model capillary blood vessels. By combining microfabrication, ultrasound imaging, bubble design, and fluid dynamics, you enable acoustic discrimination between bound and freely circulating microbubbles for molecular ultrasound diagnostics of, for example, cancer and inflammation.
You will join an interdisciplinary research project in molecular ultrasound imaging using functionalized, monodisperse microbubbles. The project aims to understand how the acoustic response of microbubbles changes upon molecular binding to capillary blood vessel walls, how this response differs from that of freely circulating bubbles in confined vessel-like environments and in unbounded liquid, and how microbubbles can be designed to maximise the change in acoustic response upon binding. The long-term objective is to enable acoustic discrimination between bound and non-bound microbubbles through the combined design of microbubbles and ultrasound imaging sequences.
You will design, fabricate, and characterize viscoelastic capillary phantoms with controlled sizes and configurations using hydrogel-based materials and cleanroom microfabrication technologies. You will perform acoustic scattering and attenuation measurements and develop ultrasound imaging and characterization strategies using a Verasonics NXT fully programmable research ultrasound imaging system. The work requires strong hands-on experimental skills, creativity in experimental design, and an interest in combining microfluidics, acoustics, and ultrasound imaging.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before January 15, 2026, and include:
- A Curriculum Vitae
- A cover letter explaining your specific interest and outlining your prior experience on the research topic
- List with publications
- Name and email addresses of at least two visible references who are willing to send a recommendation letter on your behalf.
An interview with a scientific presentation on your previous work will be part of the interview process.
For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact: t.j.segers@utwente.nl.
Screening is part of the selection process.
About the department
You will be embedded in the BIOS/Lab on a Chip group at the University of Twente, part of the Max Planck Center Twente for Complex Fluid Dynamics, the J.M. Burgers Research Center for Fluid Mechanics, and the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology. You will work in a multidisciplinary research environment with close interaction with leading scientists in the field. You will be part of a focused sub-group working on microbubble physics and will contribute to the guidance and supervision of PhD students involved in microbubble production, functionalization, physical modeling, and ultrasound imaging. The group offers a collegial and international working environment, with active social interaction among colleagues.
About the organisation
The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
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