PhD position 1 in Ophthalmology, Medical Imaging Analysis

Description of the workplace
The PhD project will be conducted within the field of Experimental Medical Diagnostics at the Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund.
The interdisciplinary research group, led by Professor Malin Malmsjö and Associate Professor Aboma Merdasa, includes clinicians, physicists, and engineers developing optical and acoustic imaging technologies for medical diagnostics.

The group is part of the Lund University Clinical Center for Spectroscopic and Acoustic Imaging and is based at the Department of Ophthalmology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund.

Description of PhD Project

The PhD project “Developing instrumentation for clinical spectral and acoustic imaging” aims to design and validate new hyperspectral (HSI) and photoacoustic (PAI) imaging systems for clinical use.
By combining spectral and acoustic information, the project enables non-invasive tissue characterization with potential applications in oncology, infectious disease, and vascular inflammation.

The Department of Clinical Sciences Lund is now announcing a vacancy for a PhD position and employment as a doctoral student within the research area Medical Science, specifically Ophthalmology. The position is linked to the Ph.D. project entitled “Developing instrumentation for clinical spectral and acoustic imaging”.

The main task of the doctoral student will be to conduct an independent research project under supervision. The project includes the construction and validation of a hyperspectral microscopy platform, the development of spectral libraries for human tissue, and clinical studies involving patients with, for example, temporal arteritis and skin tumors. The overall goal is to develop robust methods that enhance diagnostic precision and enable early disease detection.

The position is full-time for 48 months. The proposed starting date is January 1, 2026, or upon agreement.

We offer
Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: Work at Lund University

Work description
The PhD student will:

• develop and optimize optical and acoustic imaging systems
• conduct experimental and clinical imaging studies on biological samples and patients
• analyze spectral data and develop classification models
• compare imaging findings with histopathology
• write scientific publications and present results at conferences
• participate in doctoral courses and interdisciplinary research seminars

Qualifications
Necessary qualifications for the job:

• Master’s degree (equivalent to 240 ECTS, 60 at advanced level) in Physics, Biophotonics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline
• Documented experience with optical imaging techniques (e.g., HSI, OCT, spectroscopy)
• Experience in programming (Python or MATLAB)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent command of spoken and written English
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment

Meritorious are:

• Experience in image analysis, optical measurement methods, or instrument development
• Experience in clinical research settings
• Previous authorship or contribution to scientific publications

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad. The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

How to apply
Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!

The Department of Clinical Sciences Lund is one of six departments at the Faculty of Medicine. Clinical Sciences Lund cooperates closely with Skåne University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine in order to optimize the conditions for preclinical and clinical translational research, research strategies and development, as well as education on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.