Empa

PhD position in 3D X-ray histopathology for recurring thyroid carcinomas

Dübendorf, Switzerland

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Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Our Centre for X-ray Analytics developsX-ray analytical and imaging methods for understanding materials structure in material, life- and medical sciences.

PhD position in 3D X-ray histopathology for recurring thyroid carcinomas

Your tasks
The PhD research will be entailing an international recurrence case study and focuses on applying and optimizing 3D X-ray virtual histology methods by micro-CT for recurring thyroid tumors. The acquired and already existing database will be used to further develop ML models for the automated detection of clinically relevant markers. The goal is to develop the technique towards potential clinical use to enable precision medicine diagnostics for the patient and couple it with high-field MRI imaging to extend towards in-vivo applications. The project is interdisciplinary and the PhD student will work in close collaboration researchers and clinical experts from the University of Bern.

Your contribution:

Application and further development of 3D virtual histopathology by X-ray phase contrast micro-CT for recurring thyroid carcinoma cases using FFPE blocks
Further development of ML tools and models for the automated detection of clinically relevant morphological features for the diagnostics of such tumors
Establishment of a unique 3D micro-CT histology data base for recurrent thyroid carcinomas
Data management, data treatment
Extension and coupling with high-field MRI technology towards in-vivo diagnostics

Your profile
You would like to make a major impact on personalized medicine of thyroid carcinomas, 3D cancer diagnostic and revolutionize digital pathology, you are highly motivated, communicative and passionate working in an interdisciplinary field and fulfill the following criteria:

Completed Master's degree in biomedical engineering, physics or similar
Have strong hands-on lab skills
Have some experience with X-ray methods and imaging
Have preferably some additional experience in the biomedical domain and/or in image processing
Have preferably some experience using ML models and tools (e.g. radiomics) in image processing and in programming (Python, C, Matlab etc.)
Fluent in English, German is beneficial

Our offer
We offer an international, highly stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure and broad interdisciplinary surroundings with plenty of possibilities for personal and professional development. The project duration is three years with the potential extension by one more year. Desired starting date is as soon as reasonably possible or upon mutual agreement.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.