PhD Candidate Position (Ped-DTC STRATIFY Study)

Exciting PhD Opportunity in Pediatric Endocrinology!

Are you passionate about advancing the field of pediatric thyroid disease? The Department of Pediatric Endocrinology at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital (WKZ), part of the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), invites you to apply for an exciting PhD opportunity in our innovative research project: "Predicting Outcome in Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Development of a Novel Data-Driven Risk Stratification Tool (Ped-DTC STRATIFY study)." Join us in this collaborative European initiative to transform the understanding and treatment of pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer (ped-DTC).

About the Project:
Pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma (ped-DTC) is a rare disease with an excellent prognosis in terms of disease-specific survival. However, many patients suffer from adverse effects of given treatment. Emerging data suggests that a more individualized approach to staging and treatment may decrease unnecessary exposure to extensive surgery or radioiodine treatment, potentially reducing short- and long-term complications and toxicity.

The first step towards personalized treatment protocols will be the development of accurate pre-and post-surgical prognostic stratification. Therefore this study aims to develop a novel risk stratification tool for ped-DTC patients. You will be part of a unique European collaboration working on a prospective observational cohort study that could significantly improve treatment personalization and reduce overtreatment in ped -DTC patients. By analyzing the data collected and performing genetic analysis, we aim to identify factors that predict disease recurrence, allowing clinicians to effectively tailor treatment strategies.

Key responsibilities:

• Central Coordinator: Be the 'spider in the web', managing communication and collaboration between participating centres across Europe.
• Data Collection: Lead the coordination of data collection from multiple European centres, ensuring high standards of quality and consistency.
• Model development: Use your analytical skills to perform statistical analyses, and play a key role in the development and validation of a predictive model to guide treatment strategies.
• Effective communication: Present your findings at (inter)national conferences and prepare high-impact manuscripts for publication.
• Travel opportunities: Collaborate with international partners by travelling to participating European centres and expanding your professional network.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Medical Sciences, or a related field.
• Good English language skills (written and spoken).
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with all the participating centers and interdisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel across Europe for collaborative activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in statistical analysis and data management.

Are you enthusiastic about this position and do you meet the requirements? We would like to receive your CV and motivation. You can address your letter to Sarah Clement.

The maximum salary for this position (32 - 36 hours) is € 3.824,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

The WKZ is an integral pediatric clinic of the UMC Utrecht and provides the full range of pediatric care. The child endocrinology department of the WKZ also provides child endocrinological care at the PMC. Our sub-department consists of four staff members, two fellows, one specialist in pediatric endocrinology and two diabetes specialists. Areas of concern are disorders of the hypothalamus, pituitary tumors, endocrine complications of oncological treatment, MEN syndromes and other tumour predisposition syndromes, cystic fibrosis, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus and skeletal dysplasia. For children with diabetes, we work together with the Regional Children's Diabetes Centre Diabetes Centraal. Our academic care for children with diabetes covers children with CF-associated diabetes and steroid-associated diabetes.

The research group of the department pediatric endocrinology is led by professor HM van Santen, pediatric endocrinologist and clinical scientist. Her research program, bridging the three hospitals on the Science park (the UMC Utrecht, the Wilhelmina Childrens’ Hospital and the Princess Maxima Center), focusses on prevention, early detection and developing innovative treatments to diminish the the endocrine consequences of cancer treatment in children. Within the program, the group focusses on pediatric thyroid cancer, craniopharyngioma and hypothalamic dysfunction. The research group consists of 12 PhD students and one post-doc.