Vacancies

PhD candidate - Early diagnosis of glaucoma using eye movements and Bayesian statistical modeling

Project Description:

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world, and early detection is crucial for effective management. This interdisciplinary project aims to develop a novel approach for the early diagnosis of glaucoma by integrating eye-movement analysis and Bayesian statistical modeling. As the successful candidate, you will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to explore innovative methods for identifying early signs of glaucoma through the analysis of eye movements.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct literature reviews and stay abreast of recent advancements in oculomotor research, eye-movement analysis and Bayesian statistical modeling.
• Design and implement experiments to collect eye-movement data from healthy individuals and individuals at risk of developing glaucoma.
• Develop and apply Bayesian statistical models for early glaucoma detection using the collected data.
• Collaborate with clinicians to validate findings and translate research outcomes into clinical practice.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at relevant conferences.

Qualifications and skills:

• Master's degree in a relevant field, e.g., Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Statistics.
• Strong background in statistical modeling, preferably with experience in Bayesian methods.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Matlab, Python, R) and data analysis.
• Experience with or interest in (video) eye-tracking techniques.
• A collaborative mindset, i.e., willingness to actively engage with team members to share ideas, provide support, and contribute to the collective success of the team.

About us:

The research will be conducted within the Vestibular and Oculomotor Research Group, which is part of the Department of Neuroscience at the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam. The department has an international character with a good balance between worldwide recognized research and an excellent social working environment. Your project will benefit from active collaborations with our local partners from the Department of Ophthalmology as well as our Indian partners at the Medical Research Foundation and the Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Chennai.

The supervision for this project will be provided by Dr. Peter Bremen, Assistant Professor (co-promotor) and Dr.ir. Johan Pel, Associate Professor (promotor). You will collaborate with a team of experienced researchers with backgrounds in neuroscience, (biomedical) engineering, ophthalmology, and psychology.