The department Bio-Mechanical Engineering of the faculty
of Mechanical, Maritime & Materials Engineering at TU Delft has an opening
for a Ph.D. position on the development of a Human-Machine Interface for
enhanced sensory feedback during the surgical phase of oral implantology of
artificial teeth. The Ph.D. project is part of a larger research project that is
carried out in close-cooperation with the department of Micro-Electronics and
Computer Engineering of the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and
Computer Science. The research project focuses on the development of optical
sensors to be placed in dental drills to measure spatial distances within the
bone to delicate anatomic structures such as nerves and blood vessels. A novel
human-machine interface has to be developed to communicate the optical
information to the dental implantologist. The project is financed by the
Dutch Technology Foundation (STW) and carried out in close co-operation with a
number of academic hospitals and dental companies. The research is part of the
Delft Centre for Mechatronics and Microsystems. The project covers one clinical
researcher and two Ph.D. students, the first one focusing on the design of the
optical sensor, and the second one on the development of the human-machine
interface. The first Ph.D. position is already occupied. The second Ph.D.
position is still vacant.
Requirements
University Graduate •M.Sc. degree in one of the
technical sciences, preferably in mechanical engineering and/or medical
technology. •Broad interest in mechanical design and medical technology,
preferably with experience in haptics and/or human-machine interface design.
•Broad interest in theoretical and experimental scientific research and
education. •Good theoretical background in mechanical engineering. •Good
practical background in programming and construction of test
facilities. •Sharp observation and enthusiastic approach. •Perseverance,
flexibility, a goal oriented approach and quality awareness; properties that are
essential for functioning in our competitive research group.
Additional information about the job: Goal of the Ph.D.
project is to develop and evaluate a novel human-machine interface that displays
the 3D optic information in a safe, efficient and intuitive way to the
implantologist during the drilling in the bone. This includes force signals
indicating actions that are dangerous to the patient (virtual fixtures),
modification of force signals for recognition of the tool position in the bone
(tissue identification), and modification of available forces from the vibration
of the drill that can be made accessible to the surgeon (active sensing).
Developments in the fields of haptics and teleoperation should improve the
accuracy and reliability of dental drilling. Tasks: •Individually and in a
team working on the project, together with the clinical researcher and the other
Ph.D. student. •Coaching of B.Sc. and M.Sc. students. •Analysing human
factors needed for human-machine interface design. •Developing and evaluating
human-machine interfaces and test facilities. •Applying for patents, and
publishing and presenting scientific results, both locally and
(inter)nationally. •Maintain (inter)national contacts with the hospitals and
the companies.
Organization
Faculty of 3mE BioMechanical Engineering
Delft University of Technology is a multifaceted
institution offering education and carrying out research within the technical
sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and designs
are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for
future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At
TU Delft we work in an environment where technical sciences and society
converge. TU Delft comprises 8 faculties, unique laboratories, research
institutes and schools. Faculty of 3mE
BioMechanical Engineering is a Research Department at the
Delft University of Technology, located in the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime
and Materials Engineering (3ME). The Department of BioMechanical Engineering
coordinates the Education and Research activities in the field of Mechanical
Engineering techniques, like modeling and design, to analyze the interaction
between biological and technical systems.
Conditions
of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 1500 -
2000 Salaryscale 08. Employment basis: Temporary for specified
period Duration of the contract: 4 years Maximum hours per week:
40
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained
from:
Dr. ir. Paul Breedveld Telephone number: Phone:
+31-15-278523 E-mail address:
Or additional information can be obtained through one
of the following links.
