Project background
Anemia is a frequently occurring condition in hospitalized patients, requiring regular invasive sampling for the analysis of blood hemoglobin (Hb) levels to prevent complications or to initiate therapy. Invasive hemoglobin analysis is associated with adverse complications, including iatrogenic blood loss and delayed decision making. This is particularly problematic for vulnerable patients such as premature newborns and surgical patients. Non-invasive alternatives exist, but are not sufficiently reliable to replace invasive sampling.
Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (sOCT) offers a novel approach to non-invasive hemoglobin analysis. Whereas conventional non-invasive approaches suffer from signal crosstalk from an unknown amount of non-vascular tissue, sOCT uniquely images microvascular skin anatomy and subsequently confines the Hb determination to vascular tissue exclusively. By excluding the non-vascular component, this approach provides a direct, one-on-one comparison to the current gold standard of invasive blood analysis.
Our aim is to develop sOCT-Hb determinations for both newborn and adult anemic patients with clinically relevant accuracy and precision.
The PhD project
In this PhD project, you will develop and apply a spectroscopic optical coherence tomography system for non-invasive hemoglobin analysis in newborns and adults.
The project contains technological elements (development of sOCT signal analysis models), experimental elements (model validation), engineering elements (clinical sOCT system development) and clinical elements (application on patients).You will be a member of the Biomedical Photonic Imaging group of the University of Twente and will collaborate closely with engineers, clinicians and scientists. During this four-year project, you will conduct research leading to a PhD dissertation. As part of your PhD training, you will also complete approximately 30 EC of courses and professional development activities.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before December 1 2026, and include:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position.
- A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references.
- For non-Dutch applicants: an IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).
For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Prof.dr.ir. Nienke Bosschaart (n.bosschaart@utwente.nl).
AI-generated applications will not be considered.
Screening is part of the selection procedure.
About the department
At the Biomedical Photonic Imaging group, we investigate the use of light for medical purposes. Our aim is to develop optical technologies for medical research and diagnosis, in particular in the fields of microscopy, wound healing and mother-and-child care. Physiological properties of primary interest to us are microcirculatory blood flow, hemoglobin concentrations, blood oxygenation and light scattering properties in general.
Our approaches include physical research into light-tissue interaction and its measurement, biomedical engineering to realize suitable instrumentation for ex/in vivo use, and clinical evaluation together with medical partners.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first 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 and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
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