Overview 

The Sector Furore (Physics of the Urinary tract) of the department of Urology, Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is a partner in the European Marie Curie International Training Network TRUST. Furore has a vacancy for a four year PhD student applied physics or comparable. This position is open for students who are not a national of the Netherlands, and who are in the first four years of their research career.

The research program of the sector Furore concentrates on modeling of the urinary tract and clinical applications. Based on measurements of nerve signals in anesthetised rats, the PhD will develop a model of the nervous control system of the urinary bladder and urethra. The aims of the project are to use nerve stimulators to suppress involuntary contractions of the bladder (which may cause incontinence) and to evoke a natural bladder emptying in paraplegic patients.

Program Description

The sector Furore (Physics of the Urinary tract) of the department of Urology, Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is a partner in the European Marie Curie International Training Network (http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/mariecurieactions/itn_en.html) TRUST (Training for urology scientists to develop new treatments). TRUST is an interdisciplinary research network of 8 European university institutes and 3 enterprises, with a wide variety of expertise in urology and physics.


Furore has a vacancy for a PhD student applied physics or comparable

The research program of the sector Furore concentrates on modeling of the urinary tract and clinical applications. Models are developed on the basis of physical and (electro)physiological measurements in single smooth muscle cells, muscle bundles and complete organ systems in vitro and in vivo. The models are clinically applied in new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. (Dys)function of the urinary tract is diagnosed quantitatively and new treatment modalities are evaluated. Automated analysis of clinical data and non invasive diagnostic methods are important issues.

Based on measurements of nerve signals in anesthetised rats, a model is developed of the nervous control system of the urinary bladder and urethra. The aims of the project are to use nerve stimulators to suppress involuntary contractions of the bladder (which may cause incontinence) and to evoke a natural bladder emptying in paraplegic patients. Previous results are presented in :
http://vlin1.ubib.eur.nl/search/?query=feber%

The PhD student will record the nerve signals in the animals (Labview®), analyze these signals and develop a model of the control system (Matlab®). Results will be published in international journals and presented at international meetings.

Research Field

Physics - Other

Benefits

TRUST provides financial support for three years. Your place of work is at the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, but you will also take part in courses and training events at the other universities. You will initially be appointed for one year, which will be extended with two more years if results of the first year are satisfactory. If after three years a PhD seems possible, Erasmus MC will finance a fourth year. Approximate salary after taxes will be €1484/month in the first year and €1676, €1739, €1807 in the subsequent years

Additional information can be found at the website of the sector Furore :
http://www.erasmusmc.nl/urologie/research/Furore/

Additional Requirements

You have a Masters Degree in Applied Physics or comparable, a good knowledge of signal processing and computer programming and a keen interest in applying physics in medicine and biology. You are pragmatic and do not object to working with experimental animals.

You are in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of your research career. This is measured from the date when you obtained the degree which would formally entitle you to embark on a doctorate.

You are not a national of the Netherlands and you have not resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.

Application Deadline
01/09/2010

Contact

Erasmus MC
Department Urology sector Furore
Academic
's Gravendijkwal 230
3015CE - Rotterdam
NETHERLANDS
phone +31 10 7044058
phone +31 10 7044057
fax +31 10 7044726
email [email protected]
email [email protected]
http://www.erasmusmc.nl/urologie/research/Furore/