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Raman spectroscopy and signal analysis are part of the research profile of the group in Experimental Mechanics at the division of Fluid and Experimental Mechanics, Luleå University of Technology (LTU).
We are looking for a dedicated PhD student in biomedical applications of Raman spectroscopy for cancer detection. The aim of the PhD project is to use Raman spectroscopy in neurosurgery to assist surgeons in decision making of tumor boarders and tumor grade and further to isolate and analyze circulating tumor cells (CTC) from whole blood using smart microfluidic systems.
The PhD student will work cross disciplinary with physicists, biomedical engineers, medical doctors, neurosurgeons, and neuropathologists under the project “Multimodal Guidance in Neurosurgery”, that has its base at Neuro engineering, Linköping University and under the new strategic future area PRECISE at LTU.
Subject description
The research at Experimental Mechanics is of both fundamental and applied character. The fundamental issues concern questions about the fingerprints left by photon matter interactions on the information content in optical signals, how the information can be acquired and processed efficiently, as well as methodologies to use these fingerprints experimentally. Some of the applied questions concern biomedical applications.
Project description
The project will tackle two important problems in cancer research. The detection of low-grade tumors during brain surgery as well as the early detection of spreading cancer through blood sample analysis. Raman spectroscopy has proven to be a good tool for in-situ examinations of biopsies from brain tumors and it has been shown that different degrees of cancer as well as circulating tumor cells can be correctly classified by the method. The project is divided into two areas; in the first application, Raman spectroscopy is used during neurosurgery to identify tumor boundaries. In the second application, a microfluidics system is developed to separate circulating cancer cells from blood, which are subsequently analyzed with Raman spectroscopy.
In the project we are looking for a dedicated versatile PhD student capable of uniting experimental skills with signal analysis to create a digital interface that can be used in cancer research. The aims are to
Duties
Raman signal analysis and software development are performed in the division of Fluid and experimental mechanics at Luleå University of Technology (LTU), while experimental research will be carried out in close collaboration with Neuro engineering at Linköping University and Linköping University Hospital and with Sunderby Hospital, Luleå. The development of the microfluidic chip will be in collaboration with the MicroTech lab at the Mechanical Engineering Department, Technical University of Catalonia-Barcelona (UPC) in Spain. The duration of the PhD-student position is four years.
A PhD-student position includes both theoretical and practical work. A PhD-student position also includes training in scientific work involving writing scientific publications, presenting at scientific conferences and participation in mandatory and recommended PhD-courses. In addition, participation in undergraduate teaching in Swedish will be part of the position.
Qualifications
You are qualified for this position if you have a MSc degree in Engineering with a specialization in optics, physics, electronics, microfluidics, signal analysis or scientific computing. Since this position involves a significant amount of practical work it is advantageous for the applicant to have a solid interest in experimental work and an experience in the analysis of experimental results.
For further information about a specific subject;
General curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology
Additional information about research activities at the division is found at:
https://www.ltu.se/research/subjects/Experimentell-mekanik
https://www.ltu.se/research/subjects/Stromningslara
Further Information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: According to agreement.
For further information about the position, please contact:
Professor Kerstin Ramser for questions regarding the position: kerstin.ramser@ltu.se
Union representatives:
SACO-S Christer Gardelli, (+46) 920-49 1809 christer.gardelli@ltu.se
OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46) 920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se
In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.
Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish. Mark your application with the reference number below.
Final day to apply: 2023-06-02
Reference number: 1388-2023