PRR Project

Summary

IBEB intends to hire a researcher in the area of Biomedical Engineering, with specific expertise in Medical Physics, and Biomedical Signal and Image Processing. This researcher should be an expert on the use of advanced signal and image processing for improved cancer diagnosis, fitting the research done towards IBEB’s newly proposed research line 2: Cancer diagnosis and therapy.IBEB has been leading disruptive research in the area of medical imaging processing, particularly in the area of breast cancer. IBEB has been at the forefront of developing: solutions to improve resolution and quality of medical images (several advancements in the following imaging modalities: Positron Emission Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Tommosynthesis), software to improve the visualisation of medical images – namely the rendering 2D images of the breast as 3D volume to improve detection of breast tumours, and also the development of the world first microwave imaging prototype to image the breast and axillary region for improved staging of breast cancer. IBEB has made a significant investment in lab equipment and infrastructure to lead their research in breast cancer imaging and diagnosis. Namely IBEB has high-end computers well-suited for realistic simulations of different imaging modalities, machine learning and deep learning training, accelerated with Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), as well as licences for suitable MATLAB toolboxes. IBEB also has a long and prolific collaboration with Hospital da Luz – Lisboa (HLL) with radiologists and radiology technicians dedicated to breast cancer imaging and diagnosis, with ongoing funded projects, and joint studies approved by the Ethics Committee of the HLL. Also, in the specific area of medical Microwave Imaging, IBEB has a unique laboratory with a prototype to image the breast and the axillary region, with an ongoing study approved by the Ethics Committee of Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, to test volunteers and assess the imaging capability of the system and comfort of the patient during exam.IBEB seeks out a researcher with expertise in medical imaging and signal processing, as well as artificial intelligence. It is evident from recent research in this area that the combination of advanced image and signal processing and artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of research in this area. Namely, advanced signal and image processing, multimodal imaging, radiomics, alternative imaging modalities, as they are key to a more personalised detection of pathologies and diagnosis of cancer.IBEB needs to hire a researcher that is active in these areas of research to lead and make a significant contribution to the group and work in collaboration with current PhD researchers at the IBEB to build up knowledge of crosslinking biological, structural and functional imaging, and consolidate IBEB’s partnerships with clinics and hospitals in the area of breast cancer.Faculdade de Ciências – Universidade de Lisboa has had to continuously hire invited professors to teach several courses for the Masters programme of Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics, and this area has been understaffed – most noticeably in the past 2 years, 2 full-time invited professors were hired in 2022/23 and 1 full-time and 1 part-time (30%) professors were hired in 2023/24. Courses that have been understaffed in the recent past include: “Laboratório Avançado de Processamento de Sinal e Imagem (Advanced Laboratory in Signal and Image Processing)” and “Laboratório de Engenharia Biomédica e Física Médica (Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics Laboratory)”. Additionally, there is a new Masters programme in Medical Physics starting in 2024/25 (a joint venture by Faculdade de Ciências, Faculdade de Medicina and Instituto Superior Técnico, all from Universidade de Lisboa) which will benefit from this new contract.This area of research has attracted many Masters and PhD students, and the new Masters programme will increase the demand in this area, and the addition of a researcher is also required to supervise Master’s dissertations and PhD students, and ensure that activities within IBEB have greater research and societal impact.This position will be opened, in 2024, and is aligned with the plan of contracts 2024-2029 of the Department of Physics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa.