id: NDkzNTUxOSA3

reference: 4935519

documentId: 4935519

connectionPointId: 7

lastModificationDate: 1548418692000

stillingsbetegnelse:
Postdoc in Brain Computer Interface for Neurorehabilitation of Stroke Patients

jobbeskrivelse:

DTU Health Tech is an interdisciplinary department which delivers technology that affects public health and well-being. 'Digital Health' is one of the key research groups at the department of Health Technology where we expertise in pervasive computing, bioinformatics, signal processing, precision and predictive medicine, personalized health, wearables, supercomputing solutions for big omicsdata, and genomics.

A 2-year postdoctoral research position is available with the Digital Health group at the Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) on 'Brain Computer Interface (BCI) Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) as a Complete Neurorehabilitation Tool for Post-Stroke Patients'. The main focus of the project will be to design and investigate the competency of BCI controlled FES as a neurofeedback mechanism in enhancing the rehabilitation process to regain optimal motor function of the fingers of stroke patients left with hand paresis/paralysis.

Responsibilities and tasks

In this project, a BCI controlled FES system is proposed as a complete neuro-rehabilitation tool for post-stroke patients to regain fine motor skills in the fingers so that the hand gripping function can be triggered. An inexpensive portable neuro-rehabilitating training system is envisioned which can potentially cause neural plasticity and improvement in the motor skills. The method will be based on controlling a FES device attached on the affected arm, using the EEGs of the patients.

The research program in this study is divided into four different phases and the responsibilities of the postdoc is to successfully accomplish these four phases:

• Phase 1: To design and develop a MI based BCI system and the FES setup on 3-4 healthy control subjects (pilot study). This utilizes the event-related desynchronizing (ERD) of the sensory-motor rhythms caused by the imaginary movements of the fingers for hand gripping function. The common patterns of activation are determined based on the specific brain activation which is characterized on the EEG as features. Once the features corresponding to the finger movements are obtained, it can be used for the development of the FES setup.
• Phase 2: Application of the developed BCI-FES system in 10 healthy controls: The normal motor control network and related features in EEG will be identified. fMRI analysis will be performed before and after the training sessions to understand how well the paradigm perform on them.
• Phase 3: Exploitation of the BCI-FES system in 10 stroke patients.
• Phase 4: Use of fMRI for validation of the improvement of the brain function following the application of BCI-FES system in healthy subjects and stroke patients.

In addition, the postdoc will be responsible for:

• Publication/presentation of research results in peer-reviewed conferences and Journals.
• Helping to write grant applications to further research.
• Co-supervision of Bachelor and Master Research projects in related research topics.

This postdoctoral position is a result of the strategic research framework agreement between DTU and Rigshospitalet, Glostrup which announced programmes to explore and initiate research collaboration between DTU and the stroke unit, department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark. It is funded by DTU Electrical Engineering, Rigshospitalet and CACHET (Copenhagen Center for Health Technology - a strategic research partnership between the Capital Region of Denmark, the city of Copenhagen, the Medical and Health faculty at the University of Copenhagen, and DTU) as well.

Main Supervisor: Asso. Prof. Sadasivan Puthusserypady, sapu (at) dtu.dk. Primary co-supervisor: Asso. Prof. Helle K Iversen, helle.klingenberg.iversen (at) regionh.dk. Co-supervisor: Prof. Henrik Larsson, henrik.larsson (at) regionh.dk.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a PhD degree or equivalent.

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in biomedical engineering with emphasis to signal processing, machine/deep learning with a strong research track record and experience in one or more of the following research areas:

• Brain computer interfacing
• Wearable health applications
• Signal processing
• Machine/deep learning

In addition, we expect that:

• You are driven by pushing boundaries
• You enjoy working with complex topics
• You are motivated by both individual and team accomplishments
• You thrive on collaboration and teamwork
• You are focused on the process as well as the outcome
• You understand that reflection and personal development is vital for innovation

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 terms of employment

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 2 years (full time) and would like to start from 15 April 2019 or as soon as possible.

Workplace: DTU Health Tech, Lyngby Campus and the stroke unit, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here. http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Sadasivan Puthusserypady, tel.: +45 4525 3652.

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at http://www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english. http://www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english

Application procedure

Please submit your online application no later than 15 February 2019 (local time). To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form. The following must be attached in English:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Diploma (MSc/PhD)
• List of publications
• Three significant publications

Applications and enclosures 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.

DTU Health Technology is an interdisciplinary department which delivers technology that affects public health and well-being. It consists of competences matching the technological trend of convergence between technological areas i.e. the fusion of technologies from classical topics such as biotech/pharma, medico technology and digital technologies. We offer courses at BEng, BSc, MSc and PhD levels. We work together with companies and hospitals to deliver innovation, new knowledge, and employees for industry and make it possible to build new export markets for high-tech health technologies and drugs for the benefit of humans in modern society.

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and scientific advice. Our staff of 6,000 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society, and our 11,200 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government and public agencies.


numberOfPosts: 1

jobCategoriesCodes_0: http://data.europa.eu/esco/isco/C2310

abstractJV_contact_0:
Send ansøgning på en af de angivne kommunikationskanaler

positionTypeCode: directhire

contractTypeCodes_0: fulltime

Arbejdsgiver Navn: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

source: DK-STAR