BHPA
Article
21.10.2014

PhD position at UHasselt

Karen Feyen

Background
The Hasselt University has recently created a new faculty of Engineering Technology. The research group Nuclear Technological Centre (NuTeC) is part of the Centre for Environmental Sciences attached to that new faculty. One of its specialties is the applications of radiological measurements methods to varied sectors including the medical sector and in particular to radiotherapy.

The research group Nuclear Technological Centre (NuTeC) of Hasselt University is looking for a

PhD student (m/f) in the topic 'development of EMR dosimetry for advanced radiotherapy'.

Task description
Your project within the group will be integrated in the BELdART 2 national audit program for complex radiotherapy applications. It will focus on the development of new procedures for the audits in view of extending the program to other techniques such as deformable organs (for example: lungs), brachytherapy or proton therapy. You will learn to make use of Electron Magnetic resonance (EMR) dosimetry and Gafchromic® film dosimetry. The project can also include the use of new materials for EMR spectroscopy (such as lithium formate) as part of the development of the new procedures. The project will require the use of treatment planning software and /or Monte Carlo software (PRIMO, EGSnrc, …) for the dose calculation.  Collaboration with other institutes (AZ-VUB in Brussels, Maastro Clinic in the Netherlands, …) are possible.

Profile

  • Good relational, communicative and reporting skills
  • Can work well in team
  • A strong interest in medical radiation physics. A previous knowledge/expertise in the field is anadvantage.
  • A positively minded scientific motivation to learn new approaches and ready to work hard to build a scientific career.
  • A knowledge of Dutch and/or French would also greatly help the communication during those visits. If the candidate is not fluent in Dutch, it will be required that he/she takes Dutch classes
  • The program used for the analysis of the EMR spectra is written in MATLAB, so a basic understandingof that software would be a great help. Some knowledge in Monte Carlo calculations is also a plus.
  • The BELdART audit project includes visits to multiple centres in Belgium to perform measurements, so the candidate should have a driving licence

Diploma
Licentiate or master in Physics. Licentiate or master in engineering sciences or equal. Specialisation in biomedical technology is a plus. Master in industrial engineering sciences in nuclear technology (or equal). Specialization in option medical nuclear techniques within industrial engineering sciences in nuclear technology is a plus. (or equivalent).

Employment
Scholarship for a period of 2 x 2 years (with evaluation after 2 years). The candidate is required to attempt to acquire alternative financing via IWT or other channels of financing.

Further information
Content job responsibilities:

Content terms of employment and selection procedure:
http://www.uhasselt.be/jobs

Application
You can only apply online up to and including 24 November 2014.
Selection procedure
Preselection on the basis of CV. Interview with the selected candidates.