PhD in Optimizing patient transition indications through multiparametric sensing

Introduction

The Catharina Hospital, Philips, and the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) work closely together within the Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC). This ecosystem focuses on developing advanced technological innovations to ensure excellent patient care in the future. Within e/MTIC, dozens of PhD candidates conduct groundbreaking research in collaboration with clinics, Philips, and TU/e. For the program “Medical Innovation and Research Advancing Clinical Learning and Excellence” (MIRACLE), there is now a vacancy for a clinical PhD candidate (full-time, 38 hours).

Job Description

In this PhD project, you will work on “Optimizing patient transition indications through multiparametric sensing.” The goal of this research is to develop and evaluate an automated multiparameter monitoring system for ambulatory patients. This system aims to support medical professionals in decisions regarding patient transitions between care levels, while optimizing staff workflow by replacing sample-based measurements with continuous, actionable insights.

The challenges of rising healthcare costs and staff shortages require more efficient use of resources. Crucial to this is the timely transfer of patients to the appropriate level of care: to lower care when recovering and to higher care when deteriorating. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) provides opportunities to automate measurements and predictions regarding patient health. AI can process data from multiple sources, detect changes in patient condition more quickly, and reduce clinical staff workload. However, practical application of AI in clinical practice remains limited. Key challenges include providing clinical evidence for AI model benefits and integrating these models into existing workflows.

As a clinical PhD candidate, you will collect data, analyze bottlenecks in current patient transitions, and assess the applicability of AI models in practice. You will work closely with a technical PhD candidate responsible for developing the multiparameter data collection system and the algorithms that monitor patient health changes. This system will serve as the basis for decisions regarding patient transitions. Additionally, the technical PhD candidate will, based on your findings, explore options to reduce false alarms and improve data quality.

During your research, you will collaborate with leading institutions such as Philips Research, TU Eindhoven, and Catharina Hospital Eindhoven.

Job Requirements

• You have a completed academic degree in Medicine, Technical Medicine, or Biomedical Engineering.
• Experience in clinical research and working in multidisciplinary teams is a strong advantage.
• You have experience setting up research databases and performing data analysis.
• You are motivated and have a demonstrable interest in monitoring and decision support technologies.
• In this research, you will work closely with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders, so excellent social and communication skills are essential. You can easily switch between different levels and maintain a broad network.
• Organizational skills are crucial: you can monitor the progress of research, meet deadlines, and take responsibility for your part of the project.
• You are proficient in both Dutch and English.
  
  

Conditions of Employment

You will be appointed for 3 years with the aim of obtaining a PhD at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). You will combine your research activities with clinical work at the preoperative outpatient clinic of the Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, and Pain Medicine departments. Depending on your clinical experience, you may conduct preoperative consultations independently under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

For your PhD research, you will be supervised by Prof. Dr. R.A. Bouwman and a multidisciplinary team of experts. You will be employed by Catharina Hospital (0.5 FTE) and by TU/e (0.5 FTE) to facilitate collaboration with the university.

Employment conditions at the hospital are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Hospitals (CAO ziekenhuizen). Salary grading (FWG 50–55, max €4,391) will be based on experience. In addition, we offer a Flexible Benefits System, which allows you to tailor your employment package, for example by adding extra leave or tax advantages.

About us

About the Institutions

Catharina Hospital
Working at Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven means being part of an open, welcoming, and highly professional environment in a top clinical teaching hospital with ambitious goals. Both patients and staff are central. At Catharina, you will experience the enthusiasm and dedication of over 3,000 colleagues daily.

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
In addition to Catharina Hospital, you will be embedded in the Signal Processing Systems (SPS) group of the Electrical Engineering faculty at TU/e. The SPS group conducts research on signal, data, and image analysis for medical applications. The group works closely with industrial and clinical partners as well as international research institutes.

Philips
Royal Philips N.V. is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and achieving better care outcomes across the health continuum, from healthy living and prevention to diagnostics, treatment, and home care.

Philips leverages advanced technologies and deep insight into clinical applications and consumer needs to develop integrated solutions. The company is a market leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapies, medical IT, patient monitoring, home care systems, and consumer health applications.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Igor Paulussen, i.w.f.paulussen@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Prof.Dr. R. Arthur Bouwman (Anesthesioloog), Arthur.bouwman@catharinaziekenhuis.nl, 040-239 8500. 

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.