The research performed in this project concerns a strong collaboration between TU Delft,  Holland PTC, Leiden UMC, and Erasmus MC.

A key treatment modality of brain tumours is radiotherapy. However, conventional radiotherapy can have a detrimental effect on the surrounding healthy tissue. Proton therapy is a promising new form of therapy that improves the preservation of the healthy tissue.

Advanced MRI techniques can quantify changes in brain tissue already very early after radiotherapy. The recruited PhD will develop new markers of radiation toxicity from MR perfusion and diffusion imaging. In particular, the research will focus on creating new MRI acquisition schemes and novel techniques to process the data (e.g. machine learning approaches). Enhanced information will be obtained from knowledge of the physical principles underlying MR image acquistion and the brain's vasculature.

The research especially targets brain tumor patients undergoing photon and proton radiotherapy.

The PhD candidate will be based at TU Delft. Simultaneously, we foresee that an important part of the research will take place in our partnering medical institutes.

The project is funded by Holland PTC. HollandPTC’s mission is to provide patients with the best proton therapy presently available, in a safe and welcoming environment, where they are treated with care and diligence. You will be part of the HollandPTC R&D program. Its mission is to prove the added value of proton therapy, which we do in cooperation with the national and international radiotherapy and oncology community. 

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic PhD candidate with an MSc degree in (applied) physics, mathematics, electrical engineering or a related subject. He/she must have an excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, and a top 20% ranking during his/her BSc and MSc. Experience with MRI and image processing is helpful. Good programming skills in MATLAB and C are a necessity. 

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,800 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

The position is in the Department of Imaging Physics (www.imphys.tudelft.nl). This department performs cutting-edge research spanning the range from understanding the basic principles underlying imaging technology to automated image analysis.    

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/faculty-of-applied-sciences