PhD scholarship in Deep-Tissue Cancer-Specific Fluorescence Imaging for Detection of Pancreatic Cancer DTU Health Tech

If you want to start your scientific career in biophotonics while working towards real-world impact in healthcare this opportunity is for you.

DTU Health Tech invites applications for a PhD researcher investigating how tissue optics can improve both the imaging depth of optical coherence tomography and the sensitivity of this method for detecting pancreatic cancer. Funded by the ERC Synergy Grant Zee-Zoom-Zap the position will be part of the Biophotonic Imaging Group in the Optical Imaging and Sensing (OASIS) section. You will be joining a dynamic collaborative and interdisciplinary team where you will get all the necessary support to turn your ideas into great results. Additionally you will be part of a vibrant international collaboration with opportunities to expand your knowledge through external research visits.

In the Biophotonic Imaging Group our aim is to drive cutting-edge research in multimodal functional optical bio-imaging and to establish a biophotonic imaging resource for translational research at DTU Health Tech. We develop and innovate new optical imaging concepts and technologies that enable novel insights into tissue function and disease biomarkers and new clinical achievements that improve healthcare.

Pancreatic cancer is the 12^th most common cancer but one of the deadliest with a 5-year survival rate around 13%. This poor prognosis is due to the lack of screening technologies that can detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage diagnosis at stage Ia would increase the 5-year survival rate 10-fold. This is your opportunity to contribute to the development of an exciting new theragnostic platform for screening early diagnosis and in situ treatment of pancreatic cancer.

We are looking for a candidate with experience in experimental optics to explore how novel fluorophores can enhance the imaging depth achievable with cancer-specific fluorescence imaging. Fluorophores that emit light in the second biological window (NIR-II 1000-1700 nm) experience less optical scattering and therefore can be detected deeper in tissue. Your role will be to investigate the imaging depth that can be achieved with the candidate probes and to explore the optimal collection protocols to ensure optimal imaging depth. This work will be undertaken in close collaboration with the team developing the novel fluorophores. Additionally you will investigate how the combination of fluorescence imaging confocal reflectance imaging and optical coherence tomography can aid in the detection of pancreatic cancer. Your work will be applied through experimental investigations on human and animal pancreas tissue.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to investigate the limits of imaging depth with NIR-II fluorophores. You will contribute to the development and characterization of novel fluorophores and design an imaging system for optimal signal collection. You will contribute to the development of imaging processing protocols for localizing the fluorescence signal in depth. Your work will be experimentally validated in tissue phantoms and ex vivo pancreas tissue with the aim of developing novel cancer biomarkers and protocols for tumour margin detection.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Investigate links between tissue optical properties fluorophore properties and the maximum imaging depth that can be achieved with NIR-II fluorophores
• Develop protocols to characterize the performance and properties of novel NIR-II fluorophores
• Develop an optimized fluorescence detection system for collecting signals withing the pancreatic duct
• Develop image processing protocols for localization of the fluorescence signal deep in tissue taking advantage of AI modelling
• Collaborate with a tightly linked international team
• Co-supervise BSc and MSc students
• Disseminate your work through journal publications and participation in scientific conferences

You must have a two-year masters degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year masters degree. Your background should preferably be in applied physics biophotonics biochemistry or photonics engineering i.e. a solid background in optics photonics and optical imaging. Knowledge of fluorescence microscopy/spectroscopy biochemistry and data processing is an asset. We expect the candidate to have strong laboratory skills in the above areas. Good communication skills in written and spoken English is a must.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme please seeDTUs rules for the PhD education.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research education innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 September (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Peter E. Andersen ().

You can read more aboutDTU Health Tech at If you are applying from abroad you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU atDTU Moving to you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar PhDrelocation to Denmark and startup Zoom seminar for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than15 June (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply please open the link Apply now fill out the online application form and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to obtaining your masters degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age gender disability race religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology which is subject to special rules for security and export control open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Health Tech
With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology DTU Health Tech engages in research education and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrows health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Techs expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging Digital Health Personalised Therapy Precision Diagnostics and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons 140 PhD Students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

DTU For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europes leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europes global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13800 students 1600 PhD students and 6500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive stimulating and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.