CWI (the Dutch national research center for mathematics and computer science),
AMC (Academic Medical Center), both located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands,
and Elekta brachytherapy located in Veenendaal, The Netherlands, have a joint
project for which currently there exist 2 PhD student vacancies: one at CWI,
and one at AMC. The project involves the fundamental development of evolutionary
algorithms, but additionally has a clear, real-world application in radiation
oncology.
PhD position 1:
http://www.cwi.nl/jobs/phd-student-parallel-evolutionary-and-dose-calculations-improve-radiotherapy-cancer-treatment/
PhD position 2:
https://werkenbijamc.nl/vacatures/phd-robust-evolutionary-algorithms-and-3d-printing-in-radiotherapy/
Description
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Brachytherapy (BT) is an important type of radiotherapy whereby radiation
sources are placed in or near tumors, using devices such as applicators or
interstitial needle implants. Based on 3D medical imaging data (e.g., CT and MRI
scans) a radiation dose distribution is optimized in such way that tumor cells
are killed and healthy tissue is spared as much as possible. Finding a plan that
satisfies both these criteria makes brachytherapy planning challenging,
requiring medical experts to carefully interact with treatment planning
software. The optimal plan quality is constrained by the position and shape of
the implanted needles and applicators. Additionally, the actual execution of the
plan comes with a number of uncertainties, including anatomical changes,
dosimetric uncertainties and limited device capabilities.
The PhD positions are part of a larger project titled “ICT-based Innovations in
the Battle against Cancer – Next generation Patient-Tailored Brachytherapy
Cancer Treatment Planning”, funded by NWO and Elekta, that focuses on the design
of novel algorithms for the automated design of BT treatment plans while taking
into account as many real-world aspects as possible, including multiple
objectives, uncertainties, and realistic model-based dose calculations to
accurately compute the amount of dose absorbed by different tissue types.
This project is a collaboration between the Life Sciences research group of CWI,
the department of Radiation Oncology of the Academic Medical Center (AMC), and
Elekta Brachytherapy. The research groups and company partner involved in this
project at these Amsterdam-based institutes represent a core of excellence in
image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT), brachytherapy, and evolutionary
algorithms (EAs). The appointment of the PhD students will be at CWI or at AMC
and he/she will be at the other institute one day a week. The research team
includes in total 3 PhD students and a postdoc; the team is coached by senior
researchers from CWI, AMC, and Elekta Brachytherapy.
Requirements
------------
Candidates are required to have an M.Sc. degree in computer science, artificial
intelligence, mathematics, physics, or similar areas. Candidates finalizing
their study before January 1, 2017 are also invited to respond. Candidates are
moreover required to have substantial programming skills, including excellent
knowledge of at least one of the following programming languages: C, C++, Java
(C/C++ highly desired). Candidates should have a clear interest in working both
on fundamental research as well as on applying this research, in collaboration
with academic partners (i.e., the Academic Medical Center (AMC)) and company
partners (i.e., Elekta Brachytherapy). Candidates should be willing to cooperate
with experts across different disciplines (including computer science, physics,
and radiotherapy). Candidates are expected to have an excellent command of
English.
Terms and conditions
--------------------
For more details, please see the links above.
Application & Information:
--------------------------
Applications can be sent before 1 June 2016. To apply,
please visit the links above.
Applications MUST include
1) a motivation letter,
2) a detailed resume, and
3) a list of B.Sc. and M.Sc. grades.
For residents outside the EER-area, a Toefl English language
test might be required.
For more information about the vacancy, please contact
dr. Peter A.N. Bosman (CWI), email [log in to unmask]
or
dr. Arjan Bel (AMC), email [log in to unmask]
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Dr. Peter A.N. Bosman
Senior Researcher
Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI)
(Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science)
P.O. Box 94079
1090 GB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
[log in to unmask]
http://homepages.cwi.nl/~bosman
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