PhD position Photon Counting CT scan to rule out malignancy in breast calcifica

19 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG)

Research Field

Medical sciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

15 Apr 2024 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

36.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

On mammography approximately 67% of tumors will be non-palpable and in these approximately 55%, radio-opaque breast calcifications are present, which can either be malignant or benign. Since the malignancy rate varies between 6 and 82% depending on the appearance on mammography, all women should undergo invasive stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy. However, because 70-80% of calcifications are histologically benign, most women will undergo unnecessary invasive diagnostic work-up, which is associated with psychological stress and reduced quality of life. Absence of contrast enhancement on a breast MRI can safely rule out malignancy in mammographically detected breast calcifications. However, breast MRI is relatively expensive, of limited availability, long scan time, not suitable (in case of metal implants or claustrophobia) and comfortable for all women. The recently developed dedicated breast CT is still under clinical investigation, and its potential use has not yet been established. A whole-body photon counting CT (PCCT) with high spatial resolution in combination with iodine contrast could be of added value in the assessment of malignant breast calcifications. Therefore, the purpose of this proposal is to investigate whether PCCT can safely rule out malignancy, avoid unnecessary invasive procedures, and psychological distress in women with calcifications on mammography. To achieve this goal the following work packages are proposed: i) development of a PCCT scan protocol for breast imaging: a phantom study, ii) optimization of PCCT scanprotocol and development of a PCCT reader assessment protocol for breast imaging: in-vitro study, iii) optimization of PCCT scanprotocol a reader assessment protocol for breast imaging: in-vivo study.

Job description
You will have the following main responsibilities and tasks:
- To develop a PCCT scan protocol for breast imaging based on literature;
- With the use of a breast phantom optimization of the PCCT protocol and development of new acquisition and reconstruction parameters for improvement of imaging quality and doses level;
- To analyze the PCCT scan protocol in breast specimens;
- To analyze calcifications in breast specimens on PCCT images and thereby developing a reader assessment protocol for breast calcifications on PCCT images;
- To identify and including patients for the analyzation of breast calcifications by using PCCT scan;
- To assess breast calcifications on PCCT images in comparison with mammography by using reader assessment protocol;
- To compare the outcome of PCCT images with the MRI images and to determine if PCCT can safely rule out malignancy;
- Cooperation with specialists on developing PCCT protocol and data analysis approaches of PCCT imaging;
- Writing of original research articles and reviews about the topic.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

- MSc degree in Medicine, Technical Medicine or Biomedical Engineering;
- Experience in clinical care or research;
- Hands-on mentality;
- Being able to work with excellent organisational skills in a multidisciplinary environment, have good communicative skills with co-workers and patients;
- Because the patients that will participate in this research are marely Dutch, it is required that you are able to speak/communicate near-native Dutch.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. If required for the position, the UMCG can provide the vaccination.
In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

Additional Information
Benefits

The successful candidate will be able to develop his or her research skills within highly experienced and internationally recognized research groups and in addition will receive education within institute research schools.
A four years fulltime (36 hours) PhD position with a salary of € 2.901,- gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 3.677,- gross per month in the last (fourth) year (scale PhD). The estimated startdate will be preferable 1st of June. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Selection process

Dr. Monique Dorrius, [email protected] , telefoonnummer: +31 6 256 49 700

Additional comments

Dr. Monique Dorrius
+31 6 256 49 700
[email protected]

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/339158/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)

Country

Netherlands

City

Groningen

Postal Code

9713 GZ

Street

Hanzeplein 1

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/339158/phd-position-photon-counting-ct-scan…

Contact

City

Groningen

Website

http://www.werken.umcg.nl/

Street

Hanzeplein 1

Postal Code

9713 GZ

STATUS: EXPIRED