Postdoc in Multimodal Imaging for Detection of Pancreatic Cancer - DTU Health Tech

If you want to develop your scientific career in biophotonics while working towards real-world impact in healthcare, this opportunity is for you. 

DTU Health Tech invites applications for a Postdoc investigating how tissue optics can improve both the imaging depth of optical coherence tomography and the sensitivity of this method for detecting pancreatic cancer. The position will be part of the Biophotonic Imaging Group in the Optical Imaging and Sensing (OASIS) section. You will be joining a dynamic, collaborative and interdisciplinary team where you will get all the necessary support to turn your ideas into great results. Additionally, you will be part of a vibrant international collaboration with opportunities to expand your knowledge through external research visits. 

In the Biophotonic Imaging Group, our aim is to drive cutting-edge research in multimodal, functional optical bio-imaging, and to establish a biophotonic imaging resource for translational research at DTU Health Tech. We develop and innovate new optical imaging concepts and technologies that enable novel insights into tissue function and disease biomarkers, and new clinical achievements that improve healthcare.

Pancreatic cancer is the 12^th most common cancer, but one of the deadliest, with a 5-year survival rate around 13%. This poor prognosis is due to the lack of screening technologies that can detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage – diagnosis at stage Ia would increase the 5-year survival rate 10-fold. This is your opportunity to contribute to the development of an exciting new theragnostic platform for screening, early diagnosis, and in situ treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We are looking for a candidate with experience in experimental optics to explore how multimodal imaging can enable early detection of pancreatic cancer in situ. In particular, you will work with two enabling technologies: NIR-II fluorescence imaging and spatial offset optical coherence tomography. Fluorophores that emit light in the second biological window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm), experience less optical scattering and therefore can be detected deeper in tissue. SO-OCT is a new technology pioneered at DTU that leverages multiply scattered light to extend the imaging depth of OCT, potentially beyond 5 mm and thereby revolutionize non-invasive diagnostics. Your role will be to investigate how these methodologies can be combined to enable highly sensitive and specific detection of pancreatic cancer over a large depth range in tissue.

Our ultimate aim is to combine these two methods into an imaging catheter that can be deployed in the pancreatic duct. Your work will be applied through experimental investigations on human and animal pancreas tissue.   

Your overall focus will be to explore the benefits of multimodal imaging with cancer-specific NIR-II fluorophores and SO-OCT for detection of pancreatic cancer through the duct wall. A major outcome of your work will be progress towards the development of an imaging catheter leveraging these technologies. 

Your primary responsibilities will be to: 

• Identify biomarkers for cancer detection based on SO-OCT and NIR-II fluorescence, taking advantage of AI 
• Develop systems for multimodal imaging with SO-OCT and NIR-II fluorescence 
• Investigate system architectures for fiber optic implementations of the multimodal imaging system 
• Collaborate with a tightly linked international team
• Publish and disseminate research findings and innovation – scientifically and in the public domain  
• Co-supervision of BSc and MSc students 
• Contribute to attracting funding

Your primary qualifications will be: 

• A PhD in biomedical optics, electrical engineering, photonics, or similar 
• Expertise in optical imaging technology, image processing, and modelling
• Experience with experimental work in a photonics laboratory 
• Experience working with fiber optics or imaging catheters would be a strength 
• Willingness to work in a shared environment including collaboration with other engineers and clinicians 
• Good communication and presentation skills 

 As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. 

Salary and terms of employment 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 1 year. The planned starting date is 1 September 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Peter E. Andersen (peta@dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk.   

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 June 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU HealthTech
With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.