Post-doctoral fellow in Medical Radiation Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
At the Medical Radiation Physics, Lund, there is a research group working in the nuclear medicine physics field with the development of different types of methods for both diagnostics and therapy with radioactive isotopes. A Post-doc is  here sought to work in a specific project with the development of methods for mathematical simulations and evaluating of gamma camera systems, based on CZT (Cadmium Zink Tellurid). These CZT detectors are currently replacing traditional NaI(Tl) scintillators and are based on semiconductor technology. The project primarily includes work with preclinical models for therapies and with radiopharmaceuticals where there are no accurate methods for calculating the radiation dose to normal organs and to tumors. During therapy, the uptake and distribution of radioactivity must be estimated by a simple, fast and smooth method. The goal is to develop a dosimetry method based on a handheld CZT gamma camera for preclinical applications. High and low LET radionuclides with different emission spectra will be investigated in terms of acquisition time, energy and spatial resolution using measurement with different phantoms and theoretical calculations. Correlation to therapeutic outcomes at the individual level should be made.

The work also includes participating in preclinical studies with various radiopharmaceuticals. Here, biokinetics and dosimetry will be determined. This part of the project also include studies with PET and CT. A new application with MRI based diagnostics will be developed. International cooperation will be included, starting with research at UCLA.

Work duties
The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• To implement and develop methods, based on a hand-based CZT gamma camera, for use in experimental studies of various radiopharmaceuticals. This project includes measurement of the camera characteristic for current radionuclides and optimization studies with the aim of doing biokinetic studies with the camera.
• To develop mathematical models of the charge transport in the CZT detector and implement these models in an existing Monte Carlo program to enable simulation studies of CZT detector systems for clinical and preclinical applications. This project also includes a careful validation of the methods through comparisons with experimental measurements with different radionuclides in realistic mouse and patient phantoms.
• To develop methods for creating 3D-printed mouse phantoms for both planar imaging with the handheld camera and for tomography as well as to make comparative Monte Carlo simulations and validate these against experimental measurements.
• Study beta and alpha emitting radionuclides for therapy and their possibilities to be imaged with the CZT camera.
• Building a treatment planning program for preclinical radionuclide therapies
• Preclinical studies with radiolabelled targeting molecules for diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in animal models
• In vivo validation of radiolabelled targeting molecules with pre-clinical PET/SPECT
• Investigate the possibility of building a simple tomographic system based on handheld CZT camera with different collimators e.g. parallel holes and pinholes.
• A smaller teaching part of the medical physics program's image processing course

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Medical Physics education as the work is focused on optimization studies for both clinical camera systems and pre-clinical and where then a broad understanding of how these systems are used is necessary.
• Basic knowledge in 3D printing technology to create physical phantoms based on virtual image-based computer phantoms.
• Very good knowledge in programming. Main programming languages for our research group are IDL, Python and Fortran.
• Very good mathematical skills and the ability to translate these skills into applicable computer programs.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

• Documented good knowledge in nuclear medicine physics including detectors, image processing and image reconstruction
• Experience of experimental activities including the construction of relevant experimental phantoms.
• Experience of preclinical research

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

The position is planned to start April 1st,2023 

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.