PhD Student: AI-Powered Point-Of-Care Ultrasound for Early Detection of Breast Cancer

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a strong background in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision to join the Image-Guided Surgery research group at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI-IGS). The PhD position is embedded within a multidisciplinary environment combining medical technology development, AI research, and clinical translation, in close collaboration with the MedTech and AI team and the Center for Early Cancer Detection (NKI-CECD).

This project focuses on the development of AI-powered point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) technology for early breast cancer detection. The aim is to enable accurate, operator-independent ultrasound-based assessment at the first point of contact by integrating advanced computer vision, deep learning, and explainable AI with low-cost handheld ultrasound devices.

The PhD candidate will primarily contribute to the AI and medical image analysis components of the project, working closely with engineers, data scientists, and clinicians to translate methodological advances into clinically robust solutions.

Key responsibilities include:

The PhD candidate will focus on AI development and computer vision research, including:

• Developing deep learning models for ultrasound image enhancement, lesion detection, segmentation, and classification

• Designing computer vision pipelines for ultrasound sweep analysis, including quality control and temporal modeling

• Applying CNNs, transformer-based architectures, and self-/semi-supervised learning to breast ultrasound data

• Integrating explainable AI (XAI) methods to improve interpretability and clinical trust

• Working closely with clinicians and engineers to align AI development with clinical needs

• Contributing to retrospective and prospective validation studies

• Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at international conferences

About the NKI-IGS

The position is hosted within the Image-Guided Surgery group at NKI, which has a strong track record in medical image analysis, tissue sensing, AI-assisted diagnostics and treatment, and translational MedTech research. The research group is a large multidisciplinary team (~30 members), including medical imaging scientists, biophotonics researchers, AI researchers, physicians, technical physicians, surgeons, radiologists, software developers, and biomedical engineers. Clinical validation and data collection are carried out in collaboration with clinicians at NKI, providing a unique setting for clinically driven AI research with direct patient impact.

• A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Engineering, Data Science, Technical medicine, or a related field

• Strong interest in computer vision and medical image analysis

• Experience with machine learning and deep learning methods

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary research environment involving clinical collaborators

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills both in Dutch and English

Required Skills

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and C++

• Familiarity with AI frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)

• Solid foundation in computer vision and image processing

• Strong analytical and data interpretation abilities

• Experience with model evaluation, validation, and data analysis

• Familiarity with medical imaging (ultrasound experience is a strong plus)

• Publications or conference presentations in related fields (desired)

Your development opportunities and employment conditions              

The basis for your employment conditions is in accordance with the CLA Hospitals. You will receive from us:

• A contract for a period of four years, for 36 hours per week;

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.738,- and € 4.539-, based on a 36-hour working week, in line with the OIO scale and depending on your experience (in accordance with the CLA of February 2026);

• 144 holiday hours and 57 hours of Personal Life Budget, with full-time employment;

• Annual holiday pay of 8.33% and a fixed end-of-year bonus of 8.33%;

• A travel allowance of €0.23 per km;

• Free parking at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. And with our bicycle plan and discount on public transport we also make it attractive for you to leave the car at home;

• An active PhD council;

• Opportunity to exercise during working hours at our Fit Boutiqs.

This position also offers unique opportunities for your professional development:

• You will work in a cutting-edge research environment;

• You will join a dynamic international research group;

• You will collaborate with scientists and clinicians with expertise in different disciplines; 

• You will have the opportunity to follow high-quality courses offered by the NKI PhD program; 

• You will be employed for a period of at least four years, with a possibility for extension;

• You will have access to state-of-the-art lab equipment and computational resources;

Interested?

Apply now by using the apply/solliciteer button at the top of the page. Applications sent directly by e-mail will not be processed. Please attach your motivation letter, CV and contact details of two references to the application form. Make sure to include your reference information together with your application documents, as there is no option to submit them separately.

This vacancy is open for applications until 31st of January 2026.

For further information about the position please contact Dr. Behdad Dasht Bozorg (b.dasht.bozorg@nki.nl) or Prof. Dr. Theo Ruers (t.ruers@nki.nl).