The Erasmus MC Cancer Institute is searching for a PhD student in physics, applied mathematics, technical medicine, or related field. The selected candidate will work in a multi-disciplinary team of physicists, medical physicists, and radiation oncologists at a world leading university medical center and in close collaboration with Holland Proton Therapy Center (HollandPTC) and TU Delft in order to improve cancer treatment with proton therapy.

When using radiotherapy to treat cancer, there is unavoidable damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. Proton Therapy (PT) is a new type of radiotherapy, holding the promise of better preserving healthy tissues surrounding the tumor, due to the finite range of protons. This can substantially reduce severe treatment side effects, and could potentially allow to deliver higher doses to tumors to enhance cure rates. However, this advantage also comes at the cost of increased sensitivity to uncertainties in patient alignment and changes in patient anatomy, e.g. caused by day-to-day variations in bladder filling or tumor shrinkage. To provide a solution, the IMAGINATION project aims to develop and clinically implement for the first time worldwide fully automated online adaptive proton therapy for patients with head and neck cancer. This will enable PT treatments to be adjusted to the exact anatomy of the patient on each day without any interaction from the physicians and the treatment planners, thus making use of the full tissue sparing potential offered by PT.

This is a collaborative project between TU Delft, Erasmus MC and HollandPTC, in which 2 PhDs will work closely together with the 3 institutes and their staff. During the project numerical methods and algorithms will be developed that enable automated progressive daily adaptation of the treatment plans during the course of the treatment; fast online refinement of treatments before each treatment session; automated quality assurance of adapted and refined plans; and online patient specific quality assurance based on the actually delivered treatment.

You are a highly motivated candidate with a master degree in (Applied) Physics, Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline. Excellent technical skills as well as academic writing and presentation skills in English are required. You are enthusiastic about solving problems by programming (Matlab, Python, and C/C++), and interested in modelling. As you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team, good communication skills are essential. You are ambitious, result-driven and an excellent team player.

Being able to present a certificate of good conduct, a valid proof of identity, diploma's and/ or relevant registration such as BIG/ RGS are conditions for the appointment.

You will receive a temporary position for 4 years. The gross monthly salary amounts € 2.422,- in the 1st year till € 3.103,- in the 4th year (scale OIO) based on a full-time working week of 36 hours. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Medical Centers (CAO UMC).

Erasmus MC

Erasmus MC stands for a healthy population and excellence in healthcare. By conducting groundbreaking work, we aim to push boundaries through leading the way in research, education and healthcare. We have access to the latest equipment and techniques in a state-of-the-art environment.

Erasmus MC Cancer Institute encompasses one of the largest radiation oncology departments in Europe treating over 5500 patients per year. The department has a wide-ranged and internationally renowned research program, varying from fundamental and translational radiobiology, to biological image-guided, interventional and adaptive radiotherapy, and to clinical trials.

In 2018 the department moved to a new ultramodern building at the central location of Erasmus MC. All research is focused on improving clinical practice and has led to world-first implementations of e.g. fully automated treatment planning for the majority of curative patients and plan-of-the-day treatment strategies to reduce side effects. As a PhD student you will have access to the courses of the Erasmus MC postgraduate school of Molecular Medicine and to the PhD educational program on medical physics, and you will participate in the departmental journal clubs, and R&D meetings. The department is strongly involved in the HollandPTC, which aim is to provide beyond state-of-the-art proton therapy. You will be embedded in the HollandPTC R&D program.