PhD Position Experimental Physics - Advanced Detector Development for Spectral Photon-Counting CT

38 uur | Delft | €3059 - €3881

Develop an ultrafast X-ray photon-counting detector for “color” CT imaging in medical and industrial applications. Contribute to making the next-generation CT more precise, accessible, and affordable. Join our open minded, international and collaborative research team.

Job description

Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) represents the next leap in (medical) X-ray CT. It delivers images with astonishing contrast and resolution, while lowering the X-ray dose received by the patient. Moreover, the spectral capabilities of PCCT (also called "color" CT) enable quantitative imaging functions, such as measuring tissue composition or the concentration of contrast agents. Unfortunately, widespread use of PCCT is still limited by the high cost of current X-ray photon-counting detectors.

You will work within the EU-funded QuPIX project, which aims to unlock the full potential of color CT by developing and validating a novel X-ray photon-counting detector based on quantum-enhanced perovskite scintillators and silicon photomultipliers. As a PhD student within the section Medical Physics & Technology (MP&T) at TU Delft, you will design, build, test, and optimise detector prototypes and demonstrate proof-of-concept performance. Your project spans the full experimental chain: prototype design, instrumentation development, experimental characterization, data acquisition, digital signal processing, troubleshooting, and theoretical modelling. During these activities, you will work closely with our technical support staff, such as electrical and mechanical engineers. The focus is on hardware development (not medical image reconstruction or processing).

You will be part of the Medical Physics & Technology section in the Radiation Science & Technology department of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at TU Delft. We value quality in research and education as much as we value an open, safe, and inclusive working environment. Our mission is to develop better technologies for the personalized diagnosis and treatment of disease, focusing on radiation-based approaches in medical imaging, radiation oncology, and image-guided interventions.

We execute this project as the Coordinator of the EIC Pathfinder Open project QuPIX. As a PhD student and participant in the QuPIX consortium, you will get a unique opportunity to collaborate with academic and industrial partners across Europe and contribute to a detector technology with the potential to revolutionize CT imaging worldwide.

Job requirements

• You hold an MSc degree in Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• You demonstrate hands-on experimental experience across multiple stages, such as design, building, measurement, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
• You show creativity and enthusiasm to push the limits in imaging instrumentation.
• Your previous experience may be in a field different from CT imaging, but you have a clear affinity with topics such as experimental physics, instrumentation development, ionizing radiation physics, radiation detection, optics, electronics, data acquisition, and signal processing.
• You are motivated to publish scientific results, collaborate internationally, and complete a doctoral dissertation.
• You are specifically interested in developing imaging hardware and detector technology rather than image reconstruction or processing.
• You work proactively and independently, while contributing positively to an inclusive and collaborative research environment.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dennis Schaart via D.R.Schaart@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 22 March 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

1. Motivation letter (aim for one page). We value personally written, authentic letters and will not consider AI-generated or generic applications. Please motivate your interest in this specific project, how your skills and experience match the requirements of the position, how you see yourself contributing to the team, and how you connect with our mission.
2. Detailed CV, clearly highlighting your relevant skills and experience.
3. Your (expected) graduation date or MSc diploma, including academic transcripts and grades.
4. MSc thesis summary and scientific output, if available (e.g. publications, technical reports, or experimental achievements).

We highly value thoughtful motivation letters that demonstrate commitment and genuine interest in this specific position. Reference checks are part of the selection procedure; we will request contact details at the interview stage and handle this transparently.

You can address your application to Dennis Schaart.