Typically, radiotherapy patients are positioned supine, with a gantry rotating around them to deliver treatment from various angles. However, the UPLIFT approach focuses on treating patients in an upright position (upRT), allowing them to rotate in front of a fixed beam. This technique may yield clinical benefits while optimizing space and reducing costs—both critical in expanding access to advanced treatments like particle therapy, which demands high operational costs and substantial equipment. Upright positioning could improve patient comfort and provide anatomical and physiological advantages, such as minimizing respiratory motion. 

The primary goal is to develop an optimized clinical workflow for upright Proton Therapy using CNAO’s fixed beamline. This role involves exploring the integration of a new upright positioning system within the workflow at a carbon ion center also, with access to a new PT chair system set to be installed at CNAO in 2025. This setup provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into the commissioning steps for implementing such a system in Proton Therapy.      

Tasks: 

• Investigate clinical indications and patient selection criteria for upright PT; 

• Investigate range accuracy for upright patients and special needs for immobilization in PT;  

• Optimize clinical workflow for upright PT; 

• Clinical workflow guidelines for upright PT; 

• 3 months secondment @ HZDR for inclusion of upright MR image guidance in workflow guidelines; 

• 4 weeks of research visiting @SHU for the training on and inclusion of human aspects into the clinical routine of upPT ; 

• 4 weeks of research visiting  @CLB for experience exchange with upright photon therapy; 

• Presentation of research in the form of peer-reviewed publications, reports and oral 

• Presentations in workshops, symposiums and conferences 

• Participation in Consortium training activities and secondment projects 

Please note that, the PhD degree for CNAO candidates is awarded by the University of Heidelberg (UHEI: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg). As part of the PhD program, candidates will also spend additional time at both the University and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg. 

Your profile 

We expect you to have: 

• A medical degree 

• Proficiency in English 

• Strong problem-solving abilities 

• Excellent writing and communication skills 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team 

• Willingness to take initiative and embrace new challenges 

Application process 

If you find this position interesting and would like to work in an exceptional, international, strongly innovative environment, please send your full application documents, including the filled application form, motivation letter, short CV, list of most important publications with explanation of your own contribution, and information of your earliest possible starting date. If you are applying for more than one UPLIFT PhD position, you may indicate your top 1-3 preferences in the application form by using the DC numbers associated with the projects. Please submit your application to [email protected] until January 15, 2025. 

We anticipate video conference interviews with candidates starting in the third week of February,
for start dates from March 2025. Applications submitted without any of the required documents will not be considered.  

Candidates can be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. Applicants should be within the first four years of their research careers and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree. Submitted applications will be evaluated in accordance with the European Code of Conduct for Recruitment.