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PhD in Contrast Ultrasound Imaging of Nanobubbles for Cancer Diagnostics (TU/e – MOMENTUM Project)

PhD position

9/14/2026

Opportunity at a glance

  • Position: PhD Candidate in Contrast Ultrasound Imaging of Nanobubbles for Cancer Diagnostics

  • Host: Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Netherlands

  • Group: Biomedical Diagnostics (BM/d) lab, Signal Processing Systems group, Department of Electrical Engineering

  • Project: MOMENTUM – NWO Open Technology Programme (microfluidics, bubble physics, ultrasound signal processing)

  • Funding: Fully funded 4‑year PhD under Dutch university conditions (CAO NU)

  • Eligibility: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field; strong signal processing and modelling background

  • Deadline: 6 November 2026 (vacancy remains open until filled; final selection after this date)

  • Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

  • Start: 2027 (exact date negotiable)

Why this PhD matters

Prostate cancer diagnosis currently relies heavily on biopsies, which are:

  • Invasive and often painful

  • Associated with infection risk and patient anxiety

  • Limited in spatial sampling, potentially missing clinically significant tumours

MOMENTUM is an NWO‑funded project that aims to replace or reduce the need for painful prostate biopsies by developing nanobubble‑enhanced ultrasound imaging as a quantitative diagnostic tool.

Key idea:

  • Inject nanobubble contrast agents that circulate in the microvasculature

  • Use contrast ultrasound imaging to track how nanobubbles move through and beyond tumour microvessels

  • Translate these dynamics into pharmacokinetic and spatiotemporal models

  • Extract quantitative biomarkers of tumour angiogenesis and vascular abnormality

This work sits at the intersection of:

  • Medical ultrasound and contrast imaging

  • Microbubble/nanobubble physics

  • Pharmacokinetic and kinetic modelling

  • Signal processing and machine learning for diagnostics

  • Microfluidics and preclinical vascular models

As the PhD candidate, you will help turn nanobubble ultrasound imaging from a qualitative tool into a quantitative, clinically actionable diagnostic modality.

What you will work on

You will develop the modelling and signal analysis methods that convert nanobubble ultrasound data into diagnostic biomarkers.

Typical tasks include:

  • Working with ultrasound imaging data acquired from:

    • Lab‑grown vascular models (microfluidic chips)

    • Possibly ex vivo or in vivo preclinical models (depending on project evolution)

  • Analysing how nanobubbles:

    • Perfuse through microvascular networks

    • Accumulate, extravasate, or bind in tumour‑like regions

    • Change over time as a function of vascular structure and permeability

  • Developing pharmacokinetic models and spatiotemporal models that describe:

    • Nanobubble transport

    • Exchange between compartments (vascular, interstitial, etc.)

    • Relationship between model parameters and underlying biology (angiogenesis, leakiness, etc.)

  • Designing signal processing pipelines to:

    • Extract time‑intensity curves and other features from ultrasound images

    • Fit kinetic models and estimate parameters robustly

    • Handle noise, motion, and artefacts typical of contrast ultrasound

  • Validating models against:

    • Known ground truth in microfluidic systems

    • Histology or other reference measures where available

  • Collaborating with:

    • Microfluidics and bubble‑physics experts in MOMENTUM

    • Clinicians and industrial partners interested in prostate cancer diagnostics

The end goal is a set of candidate imaging biomarkers that can discriminate between benign and malignant tissue, and potentially guide biopsy or active‑surveillance decisions.

Who should apply

Required background:

  • A Master's degree (or equivalent university degree) in:

    • Electrical Engineering

    • Biomedical Engineering

    • Applied Physics

    • Or a closely related field

  • Strong background in:

    • Signal processing (time‑series, imaging, or biomedical signals)

    • Statistical or kinetic modelling (e.g., compartmental models, parameter estimation)

    • Quantitative data analysis

  • Proficiency in programming languages such as:

    • MATLAB and/or Python (data analysis, modelling, simulation)

  • A research‑oriented attitude with:

    • Analytical thinking

    • Problem‑solving skills

    • Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team

Additional advantages:

  • Interest in:

    • Medical ultrasound imaging

    • Cancer diagnostics and translational research

    • Microfluidics and lab‑on‑chip systems

  • Experience with:

    • Biomedical image analysis

    • Pharmacokinetic modelling (e.g., DCE‑MRI/CT style models)

    • Working with experimental data from imaging or microfluidic setups

  • Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level or equivalent)

If your background is more on the physics/engineering side but you have strong maths/coding skills and interest in biomedical applications, you are still encouraged to apply.

The MOMENTUM project & supervision

Project: MOMENTUM – NWO Open Technology Programme
Focus: Combining microfluidics, bubble physics, and ultrasound signal processing to bring nanobubble imaging closer to clinical use.

Host group:

  • Biomedical Diagnostics (BM/d) lab

  • Signal Processing Systems group

  • Department of Electrical Engineering

  • Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Daily supervision:

  • Dr Simona Turco (Associate Professor, s.turco@tue.nl)

  • Prof Massimo Mischi (group leader)

You will work closely with:

  • Microfluidics and bubble‑physics researchers within MOMENTUM

  • Clinical partners (urology/radiology) interested in prostate cancer diagnostics

  • Possibly industrial partners developing contrast agents or ultrasound systems

Funding & employment conditions

This is a fully funded 4‑year PhD position under Dutch university conditions.

Key terms:

  • Full‑time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months

  • Up to 10–15% of your time may be allocated to teaching tasks (tutorials, lab supervision, course development)

  • Salary according to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU), scale P:

    • €3,204 – €4,051 gross per month (full‑time), increasing over the four years

  • Additional benefits:

    • 8% holiday allowance

    • 8.3% year‑end bonus

    • Pension scheme

    • Paid pregnancy and maternity leave

    • Partially paid parental leave

    • Access to training, courses, and TU/e support services

Exact start date and some conditions can be discussed with the supervisors and HR.

How to apply

  1. Read the full vacancy description on the TU/e / Indeed / AcademicTransfer page to confirm details and ensure you meet the key requirements.

  2. Prepare your application materials, including:

    • Cover letter (1–2 pages) describing:

      • Your motivation for this specific PhD topic (nanobubble ultrasound, cancer diagnostics, MOMENTUM)

      • How your background (courses, projects, thesis, techniques, coding) aligns with the role

      • Any relevant experience with signal processing, modelling, imaging, or biomedical data

    • Curriculum Vitae (CV), including:

      • Education (degrees, institutions, graduation dates)

      • Research experience (projects, internships, thesis topics)

      • Publications, conference presentations, or preprints (if any)

      • Technical skills (programming languages, software, lab techniques)

      • Contact information for three references (preferably academic)

    • Transcripts of grades from your Bachelor's and Master's degrees

    • Optional but helpful:

      • Copy of your Master's thesis or a representative publication

      • Short description of key projects (especially those involving modelling, signal processing, or imaging)

  3. Submit your application online via the TU/e application portal (use the "Apply" button on the vacancy page). Email or postal applications are not accepted.

  4. Ensure your application is complete before submission; incomplete applications may not be considered.

  5. The vacancy will remain open until 6 November 2026; final evaluation and selection will be made after that date.

If you have questions before applying, you can contact:

Recruitment timeline

  • Vacancy published: September 2026

  • Application window: Open now until 6 November 2026 (or until filled)

  • Final evaluation & selection: After 6 November 2026

  • Expected start: 2027 (exact date negotiable)

How we can help

If you're considering this TU/e PhD:

  • We can help you assess fit between your background (signal processing, modelling, imaging, coding) and the MOMENTUM project requirements.

  • Your mentor can help you craft a targeted cover letter that:

    • Clearly explains your interest in nanobubble ultrasound and cancer diagnostics

    • Highlights relevant projects (thesis, coursework, internships)

    • Connects your skills (MATLAB/Python, kinetic modelling, data analysis) to the project goals

  • We can review your CV and research statement to emphasise:

    • Quantitative and modelling experience

    • Any biomedical, imaging, or microfluidics exposure

    • Interdisciplinary collaboration and communication skills

Interested? Share a draft CV and any notes on relevant projects (especially signal processing, modelling, imaging, or biomedical work), and we'll help you turn this into a strong, submission‑ready application before the 6 November deadline.

For more personalized tips or templates contact our team.

www.applywithmentors.com