The project focuses on developing and defining quality assurance protocols for the innovative upright radiotherapy treatment. As upright radiotherapy (upRT) is a relatively new approach, it presents unique challenges and opportunities. This project aims to establish comprehensive quality assurance procedures tailored specifically for upright positioning, ensuring the treatment is effective and safe. By addressing the distinct requirements of upright treatment, we aim to enhance patient outcomes and streamline clinical workflows. 

Goal:  

As a PhD student, you will work on developing and building effective and safe clinical workflow and quality assurance strategies for upRT and applying them to real-world applications. 

Tasks:  

• Design a concept for upright patient-specific QA workflow 

• Develop a robust control software for the LCC patient positioning system capable of acting on image guidance information and propagating uncertainties 

• Test developed software on the chair prototype installed at CLB 

• Investigate and develop vendor-agnostic machine parameter QA procedures for upright chair positioning control software. 

• 4 months secondment at CLB (Centre Léon Bérard) in Lyon, France, for integration of control software on the LCC upright positioning system 

• 3 weeks of research visiting CNAO (Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica) in Pavia, Italy, to evaluate developed QA procedures for upright positioning control software 

• 4 weeks secondment at CVUT (České vysoké učení technické) in Prague, Czech Republic, for integrating dosimetry protocols and automated workflows into the control software 

• Participation in Consortium training activities and secondment projects 

• Visiting topical workshops 

• Closely working with the other PhD students and Cosylab employees, having access to mentorship, training, and networking opportunities 

• Opportunity to contribute to a project with a significant impact on patient care and clinical workflows 

 Your profile 

• Higher education in Mathematics, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field 

• Good spoken and written English language skills 

• Great communication skills 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team 

• Interest in radiotherapy and quality assurance processes 

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.