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Jan D'hooge

Top university

6 months ago

PhD in Automated Analysis of High-Frame-Rate Echocardiography KU Leuven in Belgium

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Full funding available

Deadline

Expired

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Country

Belgium

University

KU Leuven

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Keywords

Computer Science
Machine Learning
Biomedical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Cardiology
Artificial Intelligence
Python Programming
Automation
Medical Science
Cardiac Imaging
Clinical Decision Support
Echocardiography
Cardiotoxicity

About this position

This PhD position at KU Leuven is based in the Cardiovascular Imaging & Dynamics laboratory within the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, located at the Medical Image Research Center (MIRC) at university hospital Gasthuisberg, Belgium. The project is embedded in the COMPASS consortium, which brings together 67 partners to advance cardio-oncology care through biomarker extraction, AI-powered risk stratification, and sustainable patient-centered pathways.

The main focus of the PhD is to automate the analysis pipeline for high-frame-rate echocardiography, particularly shear wave elastography. This technique is crucial for early detection of cardiac disease, as myocardial stiffness changes precede functional and morphological alterations and clinical symptoms. KU Leuven’s lab has developed a tool for non-invasive assessment of myocardial stiffness by measuring the speed of naturally generated shear waves in the myocardial wall. While promising in clinical studies, the current post-processing pipeline requires user input at several stages, affecting variability, specificity, sensitivity, and workflow speed. The project aims to fully automate this pipeline, preparing it for validation in large patient cohorts and integration into clinical workflows.

The student will also contribute to developing an AI-based clinical decision support system, collaborating with the Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging at NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim) and GE Healthcare (Oslo, Norway). The research environment is multidisciplinary, involving engineers, physicists, clinicians, and medical scientists, and offers access to state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Applicants should have a MSc degree in engineering or data science, familiarity with machine learning, and strong programming skills in Matlab and Python. English proficiency at B2 level is required. The position is for four years, with market conform wages and immediate availability. The start date is flexible but must be before summer 2026. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, and offers support for accessibility and other needs.

To apply, submit a motivation letter, CV, transcripts of BSc and MSc diplomas, and (optional) recommendation letters. For more information, contact Prof. Jan D'hooge or Mrs. Annette Caenen by email. The application deadline is February 27, 2026.

Funding details

Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.

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