PhD Position Optical Coherence Tomography for Skin Diagnostics

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. This will be done 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. This will be achieved by applying superresolution and 3D Fourier OCT signal processing techniques.

Third, the OCT system must be compact, robust, and cost effective so that it can be used 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 candidate 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 embedded 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.

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 than 1 March 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

1. A letter of application,
2. a detailed CV,
3. your grades,
4. your summary of your MSc/PhD thesis and list of publications (if any).

When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number 2967. 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.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by e-mail 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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

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