Universität Bern · Education
Postdoc Position in Medical Robotics and Image-Guided Tumour Targeting
UniBE is ambitious.
With us, you deliver top performance and test your skills against the best. We are developing a robot-assisted, image-guided ultrasound platform for the minimally invasive and localized treatment of bladder tumours. The project combines medical robotics, real-time imaging, therapeutic ultrasound, and closed-loop control to achieve precise and reproducible targeting. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the University Clinic for Urology at Bern University Hospital. This collaboration provides direct access to clinical expertise, clinically relevant workflows, human tissue specimens, and preclinical validation facilities. The postdoctoral researcher will lead the development and integration of the robotic treatment platform. The work will include robotic positioning of ultrasound transducers, multimodal image guidance, system calibration, image-to-robot registration, treatment planning, trajectory generation, and closed-loop control. The platform will initially be validated using tissue-mimicking phantoms and ex vivo tissue, followed by evaluation in clinically relevant preclinical models. The researcher will work closely with engineers, ultrasound researchers, biomedical scientists, and clinical urologists. We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, and collaborative researcher with a strong background in robotics, control, automation, mechatronics, or a closely related field.
The candidate will have experience in several of the following areas:
Experience in the following areas would be beneficial but is not required:
Requirements
The preferred starting date is asap, or by agreement. The position will be based at the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, with close collaboration with the University Clinic for Urology at Inselspital, Bern University Hospital. Strong research infrastructure and international network
With us, you deliver top performance and test your skills against the best. We are developing a robot-assisted, image-guided ultrasound platform for the minimally invasive and localized treatment of bladder tumours. The project combines medical robotics, real-time imaging, therapeutic ultrasound, and closed-loop control to achieve precise and reproducible targeting. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the University Clinic for Urology at Bern University Hospital. This collaboration provides direct access to clinical expertise, clinically relevant workflows, human tissue specimens, and preclinical validation facilities. The postdoctoral researcher will lead the development and integration of the robotic treatment platform. The work will include robotic positioning of ultrasound transducers, multimodal image guidance, system calibration, image-to-robot registration, treatment planning, trajectory generation, and closed-loop control. The platform will initially be validated using tissue-mimicking phantoms and ex vivo tissue, followed by evaluation in clinically relevant preclinical models. The researcher will work closely with engineers, ultrasound researchers, biomedical scientists, and clinical urologists. We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, and collaborative researcher with a strong background in robotics, control, automation, mechatronics, or a closely related field.
The candidate will have experience in several of the following areas:
- robotic-arm programming and experimental system integration;
- robot kinematics, calibration, and coordinate transformations;
- image-guided control, visual servoing, or autonomous robotic scanning;
- trajectory generation, motion planning, and closed-loop control;
- ROS or ROS 2;
- programming in Python, C++, or MATLAB/Simulink;
- computer vision, image registration, segmentation, or target tracking;
- integration of cameras, imaging systems, sensors, and actuators;
- rapid prototyping, CAD, 3D printing, fixtures, and instrumentation;
- experimental validation of robotic or medical systems.
Experience in the following areas would be beneficial but is not required:
- medical robotics or image-guided interventions;
- robot-assisted ultrasound imaging;
- therapeutic ultrasound or HIFU;
- endoscopic imaging;
- medical-device development;
- experiments involving biological tissue or animal models;
- machine learning for image segmentation or robotic control.
Requirements
- PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics, Control Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field;
- strong hands-on experience in developing and operating robotic experimental systems;
- excellent programming and analytical skills;
- ability to independently develop and troubleshoot integrated hardware–software platforms;
- strong interest in medical robotics and translational technology development;
- excellent written and spoken English;
- motivation to work within an interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and clinicians.
The preferred starting date is asap, or by agreement. The position will be based at the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, with close collaboration with the University Clinic for Urology at Inselspital, Bern University Hospital. Strong research infrastructure and international network