PhD Research Fellow in Signal processing for medical ultrasound
About the position
Position as PhD research fellow working on Shear wave elastography imaging in medical ultrasound available in the Digital Signal Processing and Image Analysis group (DSB), Section for Machine Learning, Department of Informatics at the University of Oslo.
The DSB research group has six full-time and four adjunct positions. We perform research over a wide range of applications in image analysis and deep learning, as well as in digital signal processing and acoustic imaging. There are about 20 Postdocs and PhD students in the group with financing from a variety of national and international funding agencies, as well as from industry.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than October 1, 2024.
The fellowship period is three (3) years.
A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.
Knowledge development in a changing world – Science and technology towards 2030.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Job description
The main objective is to research signal processing algorithms and experimental methods for time harmonic shear wave elastography in medical ultrasound. Tissue stiffness is measured by estimating the speed of shear waves created by an external vibrator at a certain frequency or combination of frequencies. Pulses from a separate ultrasound transducer are utilized to track the shear wave propagation.
Elastic (stiffness) properties are biomarkers of tissue pathology and are linked to various diseases or the staging of diseases. Thereby, this method reveals clinically important information that conventional pulse-echo ultrasound imaging cannot measure.
A long-term goal of the project is to tackle myocardial elastography (heart muscle stiffness estimation). Initially, our novel algorithms will be assessed on data from in vitro elastography phantoms and stationary organs such as liver and thyroid in vivo. Ultimately, the results will be compared to other ultrasound elastography approaches and Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) methods.
The PhD is part of an ongoing research project on ultrasound shear wave elastography: https://www.mn.uio.no/ifi/english/research/projects/ultrasound-elastography/index.html. We use our own programmable research ultrasound scanner and also commercial high-end equipment. Besides technical skills, we are looking for a curious, ambitious candidate who is highly motivated to do research and contribute to the work done in our group.
Qualification requirements
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
Required qualifications:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in ultrasound imaging, signal processing, acoustics, electrical engineering, physics, wave propagation, applied mathematics, computational science or data science. A foreign completed degree (Msc-level) must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
- Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python, Matlab, Julia, R).
- Strong skills in signal processing
- Strong writing skills
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
Desired qualifications:
- Experience in acoustic and/or array-based imaging modalities (sonar, ultrasound, seismics, radar, array seismology, etc.).
- Experience with adaptive signal processing, adaptive beamforming, wave propagation modelling, filter design, numerical methods, mathematical modelling, linear algebra, statistics, and/or high-performance computing.
- Teaching experience, preferably in a Scandinavian language.
- Experience in working with acoustic image reconstruction from real data.
- Acoustical theory knowledge.
- Experience in the analysis of experimental and real-world data.
Candidates without a master’s degree have until 30 June, 2024 to complete the final exam.
Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:
- The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
- The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educa-tional system
- English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.
The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position.
For more information see:
http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/
Personal skills
We look for an enthusiastic self-motivated candidate who can work efficiently both in group and individually. We expect :
- A passion for signal processing, scientific programming, problem solving, data science, and visualization.
- Ability to carry out and complete major tasks.
- Collaborative skills and willingness to share knowledge, information and to support others in the pursuit of team goals.
- Willingness to be part of a team and to share knowledge and skills.
- Ability to communicate science.
We offer
- Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400 per year depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
- Vibrant international academic environment
- Career development programmes
- Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
How to apply
The application must include the following enumerated attachments in PDF format:
- Cover letter – statement of motivation and research interests, including a description of the relevance of your MSc in relation to this project as well as the required and desired position qualifications.
- CV (summarizing education, positions, and academic work – scientific publications).
- Copies of the original Bachelor’s and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records.
- Documentation of English proficiency, if applicable.
- List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee. This shall include a web link to each work, or the work shall be uploaded separately with the application in PDF format.
- Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number).
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). Applications submitted through other channels, such as direct e-mail, will not be evaluated. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.
Formal regulations
Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.
According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.
Contact information
For further information please contact Professor Andreas Austeng, phone: +47 22852741, e-mail: andreas.austeng@ifi.uio.no or Associate Professor Sven Peter Näsholm, phone: e-mail: svenpn@ifi.uio.no, phone +47 22840068 or mobile: +47 938 34 349.
For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Therese Ringvold, e-mail: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.
The Department of Informatics (IFI) is one of nine departments belonging to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. IFI is Norway’s largest university department for general education and research in Computer Science and related topics.
The Department has more than 1800 students on bachelor level, 600 master students, and over 240 PhDs and postdocs. The overall staff of the Department is close to 370 employees, about 280 of these in full time positions. The full time tenured academic staff is 75, mostly Full/Associate Professors.
Deadline: 2024-02-29 at 23:59
Unit: Engineering/it
Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.