PhD candidate at the Department of Radiotherapy, Maastricht University and the Hasselt University

Background
NuTeC and MAASTRO are combining their knowledge in this project. NuTeC (Nuclear Technological Centre), part of the Centre for Environmental Sciences, embedded within the Faculty of Engineering Technology at Hasselt University (www.uhasselt.be/nutec) brings the engineering point of view and its expertise and its network in medical dosimetry. The MAASTRO Physics Research Division (https://maastro.nl/research/physics-research/ )is embedded within the GROW research institute of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (www.grow-um.nl ) at Maastricht University (www.maastrichtuniversity.nl ) brings expertise in phantom design. MAASTRO performs research on dual energy CT imaging, PET/CT imaging, Brachytherapy verification, 4D ultrasound imaging for treatment verification, dose guided radiotherapy, small animal radiation research, and proton therapy. Both teams have also extensive intertest in materials research for 3D printing, and have fully equipped labs with a range of 3D printers, including a very recent multi-material printer.

Task description
In this position you will carry out research in the field of 3D printing for making phantoms for dosimetry. You will start by designing simple solid phantoms, followed by simple flexible phantoms and study their mechanical, imaging and dosimetric characteristics. You will develop 3D printed models for organs and tumors for male and female thorax phantoms. You will then develop a deformable model of a lung (3D printed) with embedded models for tumors and test their characteristics. Next you will embed small dosimeters in several positions in the phantom, and study their capability to measure dose in a moving phantom, both in static and in moving beams. Finally, an end-to-end test will be performed as if the phantom was a real patient undergoing the complete workflow (imaging, contouring, dose planning, dose delivery, dose measurement). You will also perform 4D dose calculations with a clinical treatment planning system. The end result will be a complete prototype that can be further developed commercially with an industrial partner.

The candidate will be supervised by senior scientists from Maastricht and UHasselt. You will operate in a multidisciplinary team of physicists and engineers from both universities who share great enthusiasm for phantom design and 3D printing.

• max. 38 hours per week
• Maastricht View on Google Maps

Maastricht University (UM)

Profile

• Good relational, communicative and reporting skills;
• Able to work both independently and in an interdisciplinary team;
• A strong interest in clinical radiotherapy, CT imaging, dosimetry;
• An engineering background in mechanics and electronics;
• Experience in software development (physicist/engineer);
• Very fluent in spoken and written English. Knowledge of the Dutch language is not necessary.

Diploma
We are looking for a radiotherapy-minded engineer with: Strong Masters’ degree (GPA at least 3.5/4) in engineering in (Bio)mechanics, (Bio)electromechanics, Biomedicine, or Biophysics. Final-year students are also encouraged to apply.

We offer a 1.0 fte contract for a period of 4 years, continuation after the first year is dependent upon a positive evaluation.

Employment will be either at the University Maastricht (Netherlands), or the University Hasselt (Belgium), depending on convenience. The work will be performed at both universities. Each year an evaluation will take place.

Conditions of Employment and salary are based on the University conditions. Your salary will be according to the Collective Labor Agreement (CAO) of the Universities.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl  > About UM > Working at UM .

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. 
For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl .

Further information may be obtained from:

Prof. Frank Verhaegen (frank.verhaegen@maastro.nl ),
Prof. Gabriel Fonseca (gabriel.paivafonseca@maastro.nl ) or
Prof. Brigitte Reniers (brigitte.reniers@uhasselt.be ).

To apply at this vacancy, press the button ‘apply now’ to see the application procedure.

Maastricht University distinguishes itself with its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education.

hrm-rw-vacatures@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Don't forget to mention AcademicTransfer and the job number: AT2022.514 in your letter.

You can apply for this position up to 16 December 2022.

You can respond to this vacancy by sending your motivation letter and CV (as pdf file), stating the vacancy number AT2022.514, by email to:
hrm-rw-vacatures@maastrichtuniversity.nl

You have to provide two letters of reference upon selection (so do not add to this vacancy yet!).

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Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.