PhD student MR-Linac maskless one-stop-shop for brain metastases (Milestone)

Key Responsibilities:

1. MR imaging: Characterize and integrate a dedicated head receive array coil that is flexible, radiolucent, and transparent to ensure optimal image quality on the MR-Linac.
2. Auto-contouring: Develop and implement a deep learning-based auto-contouring system for the rapid delineation of brain metastases and surrounding organs at risk.
3. Radiotherapy dose planning: Develop a dose planning process without the conventional pretreatment planning.
4. Motion management: Tailor the active motion management capabilities of the MR-Linac specifically for brain radiation treatments to account for potential patient movements during therapy due to omission of patient immobilization. Test and validate the effectiveness of these motion management features in a clinical setting.

Collaboration:

1. Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including computer scientists, radiation technologists, and medical physicists, to enhance workflow efficiency and treatment accuracy.
2. Engage in regular meetings and collaborations to troubleshoot issues and promote innovation.

Outcomes:

• Demonstrated feasibility of a mask-free radiotherapy workflow for brain metastases patients on the MR-Linac
• Peer-reviewed publications documenting research findings and technological advancements.

This project promises to contribute significantly to the field of radiotherapy and improve the quality of life for patients undergoing treatment for brain metastases. We invite applications from motivated candidates eager to make an impact in this innovative research area.

The PhD program is hosted by the radiotherapy department of the Imaging and Oncology Division of the UMC Utrecht with close to 200 researchers within the Graduate School Life Sciences. UMC Utrecht runs a strategic Program Cancer where Image Science & Image Guided Interventions is one of the research themes.

The experimental clinical physics group of the radiotherapy department is developing, exploring and clinically evaluating new adaptive workflows for MRI and X-ray guided radiotherapy, e.g. for the hybrid 1.5T MRI linac which has been developed in UMC Utrecht and is currently on the market via Elekta as the Unity system.

• You have obtained a Master’s degree in Technical Medicine or Biomedical Engineering or a related discipline.
• You have the ability to work comfortably in an interdisciplinary medical research environment.
• Preferably you have experience with MR imaging.
• You have affinity with medical image processing
• Basic knowledge of radiotherapy and neuro-oncology is a plus.
• Proficiency in English in both speech and writing.

• A salary between € 3017 and € 3824 gross per month (salary scale OIO), based on full-time employment (36 hours). 
• Salary increase of 3% from July 2025, according to the collective labor agreement (cao). 
• An employment contract is for a period of four years, starting on September 1, 2025.
• Year-end bonus of 8.3% and holiday allowance of 8%. 
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 70% of the monthly contribution. 
• 100% public transport reimbursement. Are you coming on foot, by bike or by car? You will then receive a reimbursement of € 0.18 per km (by car up to a max. of 40 km one way). 
• Possibilities to develop yourself personally and professionally. 
• The option to select additional employment benefits in exchange for gross salary, such as purchasing a bicycle and memberships.