General objectives of the DECODE project

DECODE focuses on the training of young scientists on the use of drug-eluting devices to combat the burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD). DECODE will provide young researchers with excellent scientific, technological and complementary skills through a multidisciplinary training programme having as an outmost scientific aim the development, optimization, and assessment of a drug eluting balloon system for the improved treatment of PAD. The aim of DECODE is twofold: a) to enhance the competitiveness and research careers of young researchers at European level as after the completion of the programme they will be able to face current and future challenges on the domain of biomedical engineering, b) to convert knowledge, ideas and expertise from both the academic and non-academic sectors into a novel product which will improve the monitoring and treatment of patients suffering from PAD and their quality of life, providing thus a significant economic and social benefit.

For more information: (https://www.decodeitn.eu/)

Specific Information for the 2 positions at the University of Ioannina

Two positions for PhD candidates are open at the University of Ioannina (UOI) in Greece in the laboratory of Prof. Dimitrios I. Fotiadis, the Unit of Medical Technology and Intelligent Information Systems (MedLab). MedLab is a highly innovative research unit that resides at the Dept. of Material Science and Engineering of the University of Ioannina. The unit is internationally acknowledged in the fields of Biomedical Engineering and development of Intelligent Information systems in health/healthcare and has a profound expertise in multiscale modeling of human tissues and organs, intelligent wearable/implantable devices for automated diagnosis, processing of big medical data, machine learning, sensor informatics, image informatics, and bioinformatics. The unit is co-ordinated by Prof. Dimitrios I. Fotiadis, who is Professor of “Biomedical Engineering” at the Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering of the University of Ioannina, and affiliated researcher in the Dept. of Biomedical Research, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH, and staffed with qualified scientists, researchers and other IT personnel.

The two positions for ESRs are related with the following research topics:

• ESR 1 - "A 3d-enabled Visual Representation Tool as a Progressive Web Application (PWA) based on the WebAssembly specification".
• ESR 2 - "An Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) system allowing seamless interaction with 3d-enabled model geometries with realistic and validated measures".

Below, details about the two positions are reported.

Position 1: ESR 1 - "A 3d-enabled Visual Representation Tool as a Progressive Web Application (PWA) based on the WebAssembly specification"

The ESR will gain expertise in software engineering in biomedical applications, biomedical engineering, risk analysis, clinical skills on the domain of drug-eluting devices. The outmost aim of this position is to contribute to the development of a drug-coated balloon simulation and optimization system for the improved treatment of peripheral artery disease. The ESR will be trained on the development of a 3d-enabled Visual Representation Tool by applying state-of-the-art Web technologies including Progressive Web Application (PWA), Javascript, and even the WebAssembly development pattern. The orchestration of these technologies will provide the processing and manipulation of 3d models through any modern web application framework; the technological aspects of security, interoperability, cross-platform support and multi-threaded operation will be also considered. Several secondments to other partner institutes are planned, to increase the training efficacy.

Position 2: ESR 2 - "An Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) system allowing seamless interaction with 3d-enabled model geometries with realistic and validated measures"

The ESR will gain expertise in software engineering in biomedical applications, biomedical engineering, risk analysis, clinical skills on the domain of drug-eluting devices. The outmost aim of this position is to contribute to the development of a drug-coated balloon simulation and optimization system for the improved treatment of peripheral artery disease. The ESR will be trained on the development of an Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) system allowing seamless interaction with 3d-enabled model geometries with realistic and validated measures. Through experimental testing and 3d-datasets’ collection the system will be developed as a modern Web Application based on the appropriate Javascript and computational technologies. The challenge aims to support a vast number of models and multi-tier user experience. Several secondments to other partner institutes are planned, to increase the training efficacy.

Additional Information

According to the EU rules for the ITN projects, the recruited researchers must comply with the following conditions:

• are, at the date of recruitment, early-stage researchers (i.e. NOT have a doctoral degree AND be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career).
• are recruited under an employment contract/equivalent direct contract (i.e. other contract with equivalent benefits and social security coverage), including: sickness, parental, unemployment and invalidity benefits - pension rights and - benefits for accidents at work and occupational diseases.
• be employed for at least 3 months and up to 36 months.
• be employed full-time.
• work exclusively on the research training activities.
• must comply with the following mobility rule: not have resided in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date (and not have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in that country) — unless as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention. For beneficiaries that are international European interest organisations or international organisations: not have spent with the beneficiary more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

Requirements

• You have a background in engineering or biology or medicine or informatics.
• You are verbally and written fluent in English and have the ability to work effectively and collaboratively.
• You are an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual, who is willing to take part in personal skills training, international travel and public outreach activities.
• You have demonstrated commitment to high-quality research.

Application

Applications must contain the following documents:

• a personal (motivation) letter and curriculum vitae,
• a copy of degree certificates and associated certificates,
• a copy of degree projects and any previous publications,
• a proof of English language skills,
• two recommendation letters (or the names and email addresses of two references).

The documents should be sent by email to fotiadis@uoi.gr.