Are you interested in engineering, health and building new technology? Then we are looking for you! We are seeking an amazing Engineering Doctorate (EngD) candidate to help us unravel what we can measure in breath and understand physiology.
Every breath you exhale carries information about the health of your body and its systems. Trace gases can signal the presence of chronic or acute disorders, or give insight into respiratory or metabolic status. Imagine if you could breathe into a small device a few times a day, and it would tell you this information? A smart breath sensing device like that could be highly valuable, for instance to consumers and patients wanting to monitor and optimize their health in a home setting, or to workers operating outside the reach of regular medical care and diagnostic equipment.
As an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) candidate in this project, you will design a system and develop a first feasibility prototype for such a device, based on photonic sensing technology and advanced data analysis techniques.
Your responsibilities include:
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scoping the most promising application areas for this breath sensing device and do an in-depth user journey mapping for one or multiple selected applications;
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design and develop a system architecture based on established design principles and stakeholder requirements;
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scoping out the most promising gases to target, from both a technological and (health) application perspective;
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planning and conducting benchtop spectroscopy experiments;
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data analysis, quantifying sensitivity and performance of the technology, and formulating algorithms for automated data interpretation and reporting;
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completing relevant courses (60 ECTS).
You will work here
This EngD position is jointly embedded within OnePlanet Research Center (see below) and Wageningen University. At OnePlanet, you will work within the Domain AI team, which houses expertise in advanced data analysis techniques, merging the power and flexibility of machine learning and AI with the rigor and explainability of domain knowledge. Members of OnePlanet’s gas sensing team will provide additional technical guidance and assistance with spectroscopy experiments.
Your primary supervisor will be Dr. Ruben van Bergen (Senior Data Scientist in the Domain AI group), with co-supervision from Dr. Ruud van Stiphout (Principal Data Scientist and Team Lead in Domain AI).Your employment contract and academic embedding will be at Wageningen University, within the research group of Dr. Guido Camps, who completes the supervision team. Dr. Camps contributes expertise in physiological modelling, AI-based signal interpretation and translational research.
On successfully completing the EngD program, you will receive an Engineering Doctorate diploma - see here for more information.
OnePlanet Research Center
You will be an EngD at OnePlanet Research Center, which is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Radboud University, Radboud UMC and nano-technology world-player imec. OnePlanet Research Center develops digital and sensor technologies that enable personalized health and sustainable food systems, translating imec's expertise in nanoelectronics, sensing and AI into real-world impact. Working at OnePlanet means you will:
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have access to a diverse team of experts with the necessary technical and domain expertise to supervise and support you;
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be working on a relevant, real-world problem where you have freedom to come up with creative ideas to solve the various technical challenges;
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be able to exchange views and knowledge with the OnePlanet and imec community of experts and scientists, widening your professional network.
At OnePlanet we embrace diversity and thus give equal opportunities to candidates with diverse backgrounds.
You have:
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successfully completed an MSc degree in electrical, systems or biomedical engineering, (applied) physics or a closely related field;
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experience conducting experiments in a physics or electronics lab;
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received education in fundamentals of optics;
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at least basic programming skills (e.g. in Python or Matlab);
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experience with data analysis and affinity with machine learning and statistics;
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the ability to work across disciplinary boundaries;
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an interest in software-hardware integration, and developing new technology for medical applications.
For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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partially paid parental leave;
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
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excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 3.204,- per month rising to € 4.051,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.
We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
For more information about the position, please contact Guido Camps by email: [email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Evelien Janssen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: [email protected].
Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ):
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Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
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Motivation letter (max. 1 page).
The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.
Please apply at your earliest convenience, we will start interviews on a rolling basis as soon as applications are submitted, and hire the first fitting candidate. This is because we need a candidate to start before 15th of October in order to start with the EngD program. So don’t delay: better submit early!
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
