Are you building the next generation optical coherence tomography system?
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and its incidence is expected to rise rapidly in the near future. Hence, there is an urgent need for new low cost and high performance screening and diagnostics devices to meet the expected clinical demand. Are you inspired by this challenge and excited to work on the boundary between biomedicine and technology?
In this project you will develop advanced optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems based on novel near infrared supercontinuum (SC) light sources and detectors. The scientific challenge is threefold. First, the OCT system must be optimized in terms of noise and detection efficiency. You will do this based on experiments and physical modeling of SC, detector, and system performance. Second, the OCT system must obtain high-resolution deep-tissue images from clinically relevant samples. You will realize this by applying superresolution and 3D Fourier OCT signal processing techniques. Third, the OCT system must be compact, robust, and cost effective for it to be used it in a clinically relevant setting. In this PhD you work towards making an impact in skin cancer imaging in a collaboration between The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Erasmus Medical Center. As a PhD you are expected to contribute to the team and work closely together with applied physicists, clinicians, and technicians.
Job requirements
You are an enthusiastic candidates with a ‘drive’ for applied physics and building high performance imaging systems. She or he has a demonstrable interest in optics, imaging system design, and signal processing. The candidate should have an MSc degree in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or the equivalent. The PhD position is firmly imbedded in a physics environment, but the candidate strongly interacts with partners in applied physics, high-tech industry, and biomedicine. Good communication skills in English are a prerequisite.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our corevalues and we activelyengage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.
Clickhere to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. J. Kalkman, via e-mail: j.kalkman@tudelft.nl .
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than1 June2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- A letter of application,
- a summary of your MSc/PhD thesis and list of publications (if any).
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number 3254. You can address your application to Dr. J. Kalkman.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest.You can find more information about this assessment on our website aboutknowledge security.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
FTE: 1,0
Submission is possible until: 1 Jun 2026
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