Masterthesis: From Signals to Glucose. Modeling and Inversion in Mid-Infrared Optoacoustic Spectroscopy

19.08.2025, Abschlussarbeiten, Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten

Master Thesis on Physical System Modelling for non-invasive Glucose Measurements

As part of the EU-funded GLUMON project, we are developing a novel approach for non-invasive glucose monitoring based on optoacoustic mid-infrared spectroscopy. This method has the potential to enable continuous and pain-free blood glucose measurement — a significant step forward in diabetes care. While data-driven methods can be used to correlate spectra with glucose levels, a deeper understanding of the system physics and the inverse problem is essential for robust, interpretable, and transferable models. Developing biophysical models of light-tissue interaction and acoustic wave generation, and formulating inversion strategies, can improve the accuracy and reliability of non-invasive glucose monitoring.

Thesis Objectives

The goal of this thesis is to develop and characterize physical and/or hybrid models of the optoacoustic system, explore inversion techniques to reconstruct physiologically relevant information from measurement signals, and evaluate their potential for integration into glucose prediction frameworks.

Tasks

• Literature review of existing models for light absorption, optoacoustic signal generation, and ultrasound propagation in tissue
• Development of a system model (forward model) for optoacoustic mid-infrared spectroscopy
• Characterization and validation of the model with experimental data
• Implementation of inversion strategies 

Requirements

• Enrolled Master’s student (m/f/d) in Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Strong background in modeling and numerical methods
• Experience with Python, MATLAB or COMSOL
• Interest in inverse problems, signal processing, and system identification
• Knowledge of optics and acoustics for biomedical imaging

What We Offer

• Opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research topic with real-world impact
• Involvement in the EU GLUMON project
• Exposure to both academic research and practical applications through collaboration with a MedTech startup
• Flexible working conditions (on-site lab work and partial remote possible)

Interested?

Send an E-Mail including a Letter of Motivation and your latest Transcript of Records to: alexander.prebeck@tum.de

Alexander Prebeck (Chair of Biological Imaging, Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging)

TranslaTUM, Einsteinstraße 25, 81675 München

Kontakt: alexander.prebeck@tum.de