IMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important diagnostic tool with excellent soft tissue contrast. Among the huge variety of contrasts MRI can address, diffusion is probably the most important one, because it allows to probe the tissue microstructure beyond the actual image resolution. This helps to characterize tumor in type, state and grade non-invasively. In combination with proton therapy, a new emerging option for tumor treatment, MRI is a key tool for diagnosis and follow up monitoring.

The key MRI data sampling scheme you will use is EPI (Echo Planar Imaging), one of the fasted sampling schemes known in MRI. You will further understand the basics of proton therapy and its main clinical application, which is often the targeting of human anatomies that are also challenging for the MRI in terms of image quality. The main goal of this thesis is to improve diffusion weighed MRI. This is currently still compromised by many forms of motion, low signal-to-noise ratio, the presence of fat and strong main field inhomogeneities. Improvements in image quality are a prerequisite for excellent proton therapy planning and follow up control. This more methodological / technical work should also be validated finally in patients, making aspects of system integration, preferably into a 3T MRI system, and protocol and study development necessary.  

Summary of the required skills

·        You have a master’s degree in engineering, physics or mathematics

·        You have a strong interest in medical imaging and the possibilities for enhancing image quality

·        You will work both methodologically and technically

·        Your main goal is to improve diffusion weighed MRI

You have an engineering, physics or mathematics background and should have interests to challenge the frontiers of current medical imaging. Knowledge in some numerical methods including programming skills and knowledge of computer languages is required or will be acquired in the initial phase of the project. Some experience about basic concepts of artificial intelligence are advantageous, but are no prerequisite. You are flexible, open and eager to learn. You like to address open and new challenges, can work in an interdisciplinary team, and deal with methodological, hardware and clinical questions. You are fluent in English. Knowledge of Dutch would be helpful but is not required.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

You will be employed on the basis of a 36-hour week. Appointment should lead to a PhD thesis and is for a maximum duration of four years. Your salary  is € 2,422 gross per month in the first year, progressing to € 3,103 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full time position (scale Pro of the Collective Labor Agreement for University Hospitals).

LUMC

At the Leiden University Medical Center, we continuously work on improving patient care. We invest in groundbreaking, international research and work with the latest equipment. Together with our team of doctors, medical specialists, teachers, academic researchers and supporting staff, we aim for the best quality in health care, education and international research. And we need you to realize our goals!

C.J. Gorter Center for high field MRI

The project will mainly be conducted in the ‘C.J. Gorter Center for high field MRI’ in the Radiology department, in close collaboration with the Philips Research Laboratory in Hamburg (Germany). There is the opportunity to spend some time working in Hamburg. We also collaborate with the proton therapy department of the Holland Proton Therapy Center in Delft, 20 km from Leiden. The Gorter Center, which will act as your primary base, houses approximately 50 MRI researchers involved in MRI software and hardware development, as well as in the application of the latest MRI technology in medical research and patient care. The center is internationally oriented and has a good balance between internationally recognized, top-end research and an excellent social working environment. The supervision of this project will be provided by the Gorter center by Prof. Dr. Peter Börnert (also Philips Hamburg) and Prof. Dr. Ir. Thijs van Osch, two MRI physicists who have long experience in numerous methodological developments for MRI and their application.