This work focuses on the imaging features of the changes in genetics that occur in primary brain tumour: glioma. The project is part of the international Glioma Longitudinal AnalySiS (GLASS) effort. Glioma is the most frequent and devastating of primary brain tumours. Overall survival in these patients varies widely, from less than 2 years to over 14 years. It has recently become clear that prognosis is strongly associated with the tumour's molecular profile. However, even the slow-growing tumours with relatively good prognosis eventually become highly aggressive and no longer treatable. In this multicentre project we aim to link quantitative MR imaging characteristics extracted with advanced image analysis techniques to tumour molecular profiles using a novel approach called radiogenomics. This is a challenging and multidisciplinary project, with the aim to translate and combine findings from fundamental research in tumour genetics, imaging techniques and image analysis, into clinically applicable and highly relevant diagnostic tools.

The PhD student will work as a member of the nation-wide consortium of all neuro-oncological centres in the Netherlands (GLASS-NL) and in collaboration with the international GLASS-consortium, which includes a wide variety of countries and disciplines, such as Pathology, Molecular Biology, Neuro-oncology, Neurosurgery and Radiology.

You should be an independent and highly motivated researcher with an MSc or MEng degree in a technical domain (e.g., Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Informatics, Clinical/Biomedical Technology). Affinity for or experience with MR brain imaging and working knowledge of image processing and/or programming is highly valued. You should be able to communicate and work with clinicians as well as researchers from various fields (Neurology, Biology, Medical Informatics).

Being able to present a certificate of good conduct is a condition for the appointment.

The position is available March 1, 2018. You will receive a temporary position for 4 years. The gross monthly salary is € 2.279,- in the 1st year and increases to € 2.919,- in the 4th year (scale OIO). The appointment will be full-time (36 hours a week). The terms of employment are according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Dutch University Medical Centers (CAO UMC).

Erasmus MC

The project is locally embedded in the Brain Tumour Centre at Erasmus MC as a close collaboration between the departments of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (Dr. M. Smits), Neuro-oncology (Prof. M. van den Bent) and the Biomedical Imaging Group Rotterdam (Prof. W.J. Niessen, Dr. S. Klein). The department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine has an internationally leading position in radiological research, of which advanced and physiological MR neuroimaging is an important aspect. The Neuro-Oncology unit at the Erasmus MC Cancer Centre is focused on the treatment of primary brain tumours, and on neurological complications of cancer and its treatment and has an international leading role in multicentre trials on glioma. The Biomedical Imaging Group Rotterdam (BIGR) is at the international forefront in the quantitative image analysis field and one of the largest medical image analysis groups in Europe. Radiogenomics in a variety of diseases is one of the BIGR's current main interests.