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.

Requirements
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.

Further details:
http://www.academictransfer.com