PhD postion in Medical Physics on Efficient Adaptive Proton Therapy

Job description

This project aims to support the future development and translation of efficient treatment adaptation workflows in proton therapy by providing model-based guidance for their optimal implementation and use. Within this framework, several candidate strategies will be investigated in the model-based clinic, including dose-guided positioning, dose restoration, and offline and online dose adaptation.

These strategies may be applied individually or in combination for each patient, using a decision tree to determine the most appropriate approach. By quantifying and benchmarking the clinical benefits of different strategies across various clinical cases, the project aims to provide comprehensive guidance on their use.
Ultimately, the goal is to maximize clinical benefits for patients while making rational use of clinical resources, ensuring that all patients who require adaptive proton therapy can access it.

Organization

As one of the largest university hospitals, the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) hosts the Radiation Oncology Department, the first academic center in the Netherlands to feature state-of-the-art photon and proton radiation therapy technologies, benefiting more than 4,500 patients annually.

Within the Department, the Division of Medical Physics and Instrumentation is responsible not only for quality control of treatment (planning) methods and technologies, but also for innovation. The broad team leverages the expertise of (computational) medical physicists and residents, medical physics assistants, IT engineers, LINAC engineers, and gathers more than 30 PhD students and post-doctoral fellows. Research efforts into emerging radiotherapy solutions are implemented and brought to patients through collaborations with key industry manufacturers, including Ion Beam Applications SA (IBA), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, the leading developer and supplier of innovative proton therapy technologies.

Context
Advancements in radiotherapy are crucial given the global rise in cancer incidence, which poses significant societal and economic burdens. Effective radiotherapy can vastly improve patient outcomes, reducing mortality and enhancing quality of life. Adaptive proton therapy is both a promise and a challenge. It is impactful and complex, and therefore has to be streamlined and efficiently deployed. Innovation in this field, particularly through clinical data modeling, physics, and AI, is poised to ensure consistently high-quality treatments, minimize toxicities, and increase the efficiency and accessibility of advanced cancer care, ultimately benefiting patients and making healthcare costs sustainable.

What do we need

We are seeking a passionate and driven PhD student:

• with a master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, and/or Computer Science.
• with a strong background in – and interest for – Medical Physics and Artificial Intelligence.
• with solid scripting skills, ideally including Python and C/C++.
• with excellent communication skills (including in English).

What do we offer

A temporary position as a PhD student (1.0 FTE) for four years. Your salary ranges from a minimum of € 3.217 gross per month in the first year to a maximum of € 4.077 gross per month (PRO scale) in the final (fourth) year, based on a full-time appointment. In addition, the UMCG offers an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% year-end bonus.The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Link
Protonentherapiecentrum

For questions about the position

Any questions? Do contact us.

How to apply

Please use the the digital application form at the bottom of this page - only these will be processed.
You can apply until 1 juli 2026.
Within half an hour after sending the digital application form you will receive an email- confirmation with further information.
 

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