Radboud university medical center is looking for a PhD candidate to develop Artificial Intelligence tools to automatically detect healthy organs and tumors in MR images (MRI-Radiotherapy).
In radiation therapy a device called the linear accelerator (linac) shoots beams of high-energy photons at a tumor, killing the malignant cells. Unfortunately, this can damage nearby healthy tissue as well. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain the highest level of accuracy in radiation dose delivery. This is difficult however when tumors are located in or near organs that move a lot (breathing, heartbeat, etc). But there is a solution: The Radboudumc is one of a few places in the world that houses an MR-Linac, an integrated system of a linac, and an MRI scanner. Using MRI we can rapidly make images of the moving tumor and its surroundings and adjust the photon beam accordingly. This is where the PhD candidate comes in.
At present AI-driven Tumor Detection in Combined MRI-Radiotherapy is done manually at the start of a treatment session. This takes such a long time that it prevents effective (real-time) beam adaptation.
Duration: 4 years
Tasks
The tasks for this position AI-driven Tumor Detection in Combined MRI-Radiotherapy include:
- to create deep-learning networks that can delineate the relevant structures in the image in a flash.
- Secondly, to create MRI protocols that allow faster scanning and with improved tissue/tumor contrasts to facilitate the aforementioned delineation and also treatment efficacy evaluation.
- Also, work closely together with a second PhD student on this project, who will develop tools that use the delineation results to steer the linac’s beams more efficiently and effectively.
Salary
- A gross monthly salary between min € 2570 – max of € 3271
- In addition to the monthly salary and an annual vacation allowance of 8%, they will receive an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
- They will receive an allowance for irregular hours.
- Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. While candidates pay the rest of the premium with their gross salary.
- Discount on health insurance as well: they can take advantage of two group health insurance plans. UMC Zorgverzekering and CZ collectief.
Job Requirements
The PhD position: AI-driven Tumor Detection in Combined MRI-Radiotherapy seeks candidates with well-developed communication and social skills directed toward working in a team.
Furthermore have:
- Completed an MSc in Biomedical Engineering, Computer science, A.I., Medical imaging, Physics, or similar.
- Experience in medical imaging, image processing, and AI methods.
- programming experience (Python is a plus).
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
- Ability to work effectively and pro-actively, both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Application Process
Interested applicants for the AI-driven Tumor Detection in Combined MRI-Radiotherapy can apply and ensure that they attach the following:
- curriculum vitae and
- cover letter
To apply for the PhD Position: ‘AI-driven Tumor Detection in Combined MRI-Radiotherapy’, click here.
Application Deadline: August 21, 2022.
For more information, visit the official site.
