PhD position High-Resolution Molecular Tumour Imaging

Job description

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) can discover tumours and characterise cell properties using specific radio-labeled molecules (‘tracers’). In a new project, our group will realise a novel SPECT scanner for imaging breast tumours with unprecedented spatial resolution. Such a scanner can image tumours in much more detail than is currently possible and may therefore improve diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The new scanner is expected to reach very high resolutions because it will be based on novel focusing multi-pinhole collimators and advanced reconstruction scanning modes. The candidate is expected to develop models, simulators and reconstruction methods to predict the performance of different system geometries. He/she will also deal with sampling problems that may occur in these new geometries and will participate in experimentally testing systems that result from this project.

Requirements

The applicant should have a master’s degree in physics, mathematics or engineering. An affinity for computer simulations and modelling is highly preferred. The candidate will work in a highly multi-disciplinary team. Good communication skills and an excellent command of English, both written and spoken, are important.

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home (with a contract of two years or longer), and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Delft University of Technology strives to increase the number of women in higher academic positions; women are therefore especially encouraged to apply.


For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Marlies Goorden, phone: +31 (0)15-2786007, e-mail: m.c.goorden@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV along with a letter of application by 10 December 2012 to Thea Miedema, T.Miedema@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number TNWRRR12-052.

Contract type: Temporary, 4 years

Organisation

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Department

Applied Sciences

Radiation is the unifying research theme of the Department of Radiation, Radionuclides and Reactors (www.rrr.tudelft.nl). The focus of our research is on energy and health. However varied our interests, whether they be materials, sensors and instrumentation, energy and sustainable production or health, all our research is related in some way to radiation.      
The Radiation, Detection and Medical Imaging (RD&M) section conducts research on:
• Biomedical Imaging Systems (e.g. PET, SPECT, CT and hybrid imaging systems).
• Tomographic image reconstruction, modelling and simulation of imaging systems.
• Gamma-ray detectors for biomedical imaging.
• Image-guided radiation therapy.

Additional information

Marlies Goorden
+31 (0)15-2786007
m.c.goorden@tudelft.nl

Technische Universiteit Delft

PhD Position - Visualization for Digital Radiation Therapy

Job description

Research group

The 'DR THERAPAT' project comprises multiple and diverse scientific and technical challenges. Therefore, the project will be developed by a multidisciplinary team from leading academic and research institutions worldwide. The PhD student will be embedded in this team formed by Philips Research (Hamburg) and Healthcare (The Netherlands), Stichting Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis (The Netherlands), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), Aarhus Universitet (Denmark), The Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (Greece) and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e - The Netherlands) where the PhD student will be located.

The PhD student will also be embedded in the Multivalued Image Analysis & Visualization group (bmia.bmt.tue.nl/research/MVIAV/) led by dr. Anna Vilanova.  This group is part of the recently TU/e established Imaging Science and Technology Eindhoven (IST/e, cf. www.iste.nl) High Potential Research Program which has the ambition to become a leading research institute on the crossroads of image acquisition, mathematical modeling, algorithmic, visualization and biomedical applications on the basis of advanced imaging techniques. This ambitious goal is feasible through synergy of perfectly complementary research groups within TU/e and their collaborative partners, such as Philips Healthcare, and regional and academic medical centers.

Project description

This PhD position is part of the FP7 EU-STREP project 'DR THERAPAT'- Digital Radiation Therapy Patient'. This project is based on the past decade advances in radiation therapy technology, offering exceptional flexibility in dose delivery. Image guidance during treatment ensures a reliable targeting of the dose to the tumor. This has created the possibility to irradiate the tumor with a high dose with minimal exposure of surrounding tissue. Thus an improvement in tumor control is no longer invariably associated with an increase in radiation-induced toxicity. Now, the capacity exists to create treatment plans that are tailored to the specific characteristics of the patient. However, an individualized representational model that informs on radiation therapy planning and outcome prediction is still lacking. There are several modeling approaches available that have the potential to fill this gap, among them empirical, but established radiobiological models and more sophisticated multi-scale models.

DR THERAPAT aim is to create the Digital Radiation Therapy Patient, integrating the available knowledge on tumor imaging, image analysis and interpretation, radiobiological models and radiation therapy planning into a reusable, multi-scale digital representation.

The PhD appointed to this position will work in the visualization of the multimodal and multi-value data that plays a role throughout the complete model-based radiotherapy planning pipeline. Prior to the radiotherapy modeling, different imaging modalities will be combined by means of image registration, relevant anatomical structures will be segmented, multiple parameters will be quantified and different tissues will be classified. The resulting multitude of information is the input for the patient-specific radiotherapy modeling. We aim at methods for the visualization and exploration of all relevant information in the radiotherapy planning pipeline; we especially focus on methods that incorporate the uncertainty that is introduced in each step in the pipeline.

The goal is to achieve an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand visualization and exploration of the multimodal, multi-value data involved in cancer radiotherapy planning - including the uncertainty in these data - in each step of the radiotherapy planning pipeline and in the final planning outcome.

Tasks 

Study of data visualization and exploration methods currently used in radiotherapy

Study and modeling using probability theory of the uncertainty (e.g. noise) in the image data acquired with the multimodal imaging modalities involved in radiotherapy planning.

Study and modeling of the propagation and accumulation of uncertainty in the multimodal image registration, segmentation & quantification steps.

Analysis and implementation of methodology for the comprehensive visualization and interactive exploration of the multimodal, multi-value information and its uncertainty: data mining, visual analysis and real-time user interaction will be combined to optimally facilitate the visual representation and exploration of this multidimensional information and its uncertainty.

Analysis, development and implementation of methods for the visualization of the effect of uncertainty in the tissue modeling and therapy planning results.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the developed visualization and exploration methods.

 

Requirements

Requirements

We are looking for a candidate who meets the following requirements: 

You are a talented and enthusiastic researcher.

You have experience with or a strong background in visualization, computer graphics, mathematics, and image processing. Preferably you finished a master in Computer Science, (Applied) Mathematics, (Applied) Physics or Electrical Engineering.

You have excellent programming skills and experience.

You have good communicative skills, and the attitude to partake successfully in the work of a multidisciplinary      research team.

You are creative, ambitious, hard working and persistent.

You have good command of the English language (knowledge of Dutch is not required).

 

Conditions of employment

Appointment and Salary

We offer:

A challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious University and in an enthusiastic team

An appointment for four years

Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU), increasing from € 2042 per month initially, to € 2612 in the fourth year.

An attractive package of fringe benefits, including excellent work facilities, end of the year allowance and sport facilities.

TU/e offers opportunities for personal development by developing your social and communication skills. We do this by offering every PhD student a series of courses that are part of the PROOF program as an excellent addition to your scientific education.

Additional information

Information and application

More information on the vacancy and project can be obtained from Dr. Anna Vilanova (a.vilanova@tue.nl) or Prof. Marcel Breeuwer (M.Breeuwer@tue.nl)

For terms of employment please take a look at our website www.tue.nl or contact HR Services