The InViLab research group at UAntwerpen is offering a PhD position for a candidate interested in advancing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for biomedical imaging. This project focuses on developing AI-driven solutions to improve perforator mapping through dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) in breast reconstruction surgeries.
The core of the project is the integration of AI techniques with advanced infrared imaging to enhance the detection and evaluation of perforators—critical blood vessels used in Deep Inferior Epigastric artery Perforator (DIEP) flap surgeries. By improving the precision of perforator selection, the project aims to minimize risks of tissue necrosis and optimize surgical outcomes. You will work on the development of machine learning algorithms that analyze thermal data and predict vascular performance, significantly contributing to the automation of medical imaging processes.
As a PhD student, your main tasks will include:
- Designing and implementing AI algorithms to process and analyze infrared thermography data, improving the accuracy of perforator detection.
- Building a comprehensive AI model to correlate real-time thermographic data with clinical outcomes, helping to identify optimal blood flow patterns during reconstructive surgeries.
- Developing novel image processing techniques that fuse infrared imaging with traditional medical imaging (e.g., CT angiography), to create advanced visualizations for surgical planning.
- Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to validate your AI solutions with real clinical data, while focusing primarily on the computational and algorithmic side of the project.
We are accepting applications for this PhD position, starting 1st January 2025 for a period of four years. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Gunther Steenackers for more information.
