Job description
The Department of Anesthesiology at the RUNMC has funding available for a PhD student position in the context of a project focused on advanced EEG analysis for measuring depth of anesthesia and preventing intraoperative awareness. Being awake and experiencing pain is one of the greatest fears of patients undergoing general anetshesia for an operation. Recall of these events may cause a posttraumatic stress syndrome with devastating effects on the individual. Existing monitoring methods do not fully prevent intraoperative awareness. Patients cannot seek attention by moving because they are paralyzed by neuromuscular blockinfg agents. Common intraoperative processing of the frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) has been questioned. This technique does not give insight in brain structures involved in consciousness and memory formation. Because we know that all patients -who reported their terrifying experiences- tried to move, the main question is: can we detect attempts to move in the EEG of patients paralyzed during general anesthesia?
- You will replace passive processing of EEG with active searching for the crucial signs of a patiënt trying to move
- You will refer to the progress made in brain computer interfacing where intended movements of motor disabled persons are translated into electrical signals controlling electrical devices
Requirements
Candidates for the PhD position should have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in al field related to cognitive neuroscience or signal processing (e.g. experimental/cognitive psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, electrical engineering). Excellent candidates from other scientific backgrounds will also be considered
- Good programming skills (matlab) are highly desirable
- Proficiency in oral and written English is essential
- You are expected to work as part of a team, sharing technical know-how and ideas
Conditions of employment
- Temporary 4 years
- 32,4-36 hrs per week
- Salary level 10A: maximal € 2,673 gross per month
- Maximum all-in yearly salary on full time basis is € 37,700 gross
Additional information
Prof. dr. J. Bruhn, anesthesioloog, J.Bruhn@anes.umcn.nl, +31 24 3615332