Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) is one of Europe’s leading research universities. The Eindhoven area, in the southern part of the Netherlands, is one of Europe’s top ‘innovation ecosystems’, with many high-tech companies and institutes. TU/e is closely intertwined with many of these companies and institutes, and research at TU/e is characterized by a combination of academic excellence and industrial relevance. Culturally, the Netherlands is a very interesting part of Europe. Historic cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague, Maastricht, Brussels, and Antwerp are all within easy reach from Eindhoven.

Kempenhaeghe is an internationally leading expertise centre for epilepsy and sleep-wake disorders. Kempenhaeghe is involved in nearly all major domains of epilepsy research, and offers a multidisciplinary semi-academic clinical research environment in the Eindhoven area. One of the innovation programmes in the area of diagnosis focuses on the detection of epileptic events, called seizures.

Project description

The goal of the ‘seizure detection programme’ is to achieve increased safety for the patient and a better quality of life for them and their loved ones by offering reliable, unobtrusive detection of epileptic seizures. Epilepsy has many different types of seizures, ranging from minor very short to major life-threatening seizures; every type has its own characteristics. The golden standard for detection of epileptic seizures uses combined EEG and video monitoring. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and only applicable to hospitalized patients. In order to overcome these problems and widen the reach of seizure detection to extramural patients, dependable unobtrusive approaches are critically needed. In past collaborative research, Kempenhaeghe and TU/e have gained important experience in detecting seizures based on analysis of heart activity and based on accelerometers attached to various parts of the body. Building on this experience, this PostDoc project seeks to develop and validate an unobtrusive system for detection of major epileptic seizures, and to iteratively refine it to approach the dependability of the aforementioned golden standard.

The main scientific focus will be on the development of dynamic models that characterize epileptic heart activity, epileptic movements, and the key sensor characteristics and (e.g. movement) artifacts, along with sophisticated multimodal model-based signal-processing and interpretation algorithms to extract reliable seizure information in ambulatory settings. The project will take a clinically driven approach, i.e. working in close collaboration with neurologists and medical technicians and taking their experience and knowledge as starting point. Algorithm development and validation will be based on real clinical data from patients. To obtain adequate clinical immersion, the candidate is expected to spend a significant fraction of his/her time at Kempenhaeghe, while TU/e will be the home base for algorithm development.

Requirements

Candidates for this position should have a Ph.D. degree in signal processing or control, physics, or biomedical engineering, and an extensive publication record in leading journals. A strong mathematical basis and a background in signal processing (statistical and adaptive signal processing, pattern recognition and machine earning, efficient real-time implementation of signal processing algorithms) is required. Hands-on experience with physiological monitoring and ambulatory sensor systems is desired, as are good programming skills in Matlab and C++. Candidates should be pro-active and entrepreneurial, have a ‘hands-on’ attitude, and excellent social and team working skills.

What we offer

A challenging job with a combined appointment at a multidisciplinary clinical expertise centre and a dynamic and ambitious University. A temporary appointment for the period of 3 years. Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement (CAO) and are at least € 2988 per month (FWG 60) and at most € 4705 per month (scale 12). Salary is based on knowledge and experience. An attractive package of fringe benefits (including excellent work facilities, child care, and excellent sports facilities).

Application Deadline 29-08-2010.
Read more: http://scholarship-positions.com/postdoctoral-position-ambulatory-real-time-detection-of-major-epileptic-seizures-netherlands/2010/08/04/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ScholarshipPositions+%28International+Scholarships+and+Financial+Aid+Positions%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail#ixzz0xQvofvqm