Doctoral student in Medical Radiation Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The department of Medical Radiation Physics is engaged in research and education in ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and its use mainly in medical applications. The major areas are radiotherapy physics, magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray physics, and nuclear medicine physics.

We have now an opening for a doctoral student in Medical Radiation Physics with a focus on radiotherapy physics.

Subject description
Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in cancer therapy today. Radiation resistant tumors are still challenging due to the limited tolerance for adverse effects in the surrounding healthy tissue. Pre-clinical research has suggested that radiation delivered at an ultra-high dose rate during a fraction of a second, so called FLASH radiotherapy, may help to reduce the risk of adverse effects on healthy tissues, while maintaining an adequate anti-tumor effect. This project aims at the translation of these promising findings from pre-clinical radiobiological experiments to clinical trials by developing, implementing and evaluating new dosimetric methods for planning and delivering FLASH radiotherapy in a safe way in the clinic.

Work duties
The main task is to purse doctoral studies, including participation in research projects as well as doctoral courses. The research task will mainly be focused on the development of dosimetric methods for clinical implementation of FLASH radiotherapy. The work includes experimental radiobiology and pre-clinical radiotherapy, as well as development of mathematical models to describe results from radiobiological experiments. The successful applicant will work in close collaboration with other researchers and research groups who use advanced radiation sources in different radiobiological research projects. The position may also include teaching on the Medical Physics progam and other institutional duties (at maximum 20%).

The focus of the project is in the sub-field of Radiotherapy physics in the department of Medical Radiation Physics.

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprimising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

Additionally, to be accepted for third-cycle studies in Medical Radiation Physics the applicant must have

• a MSc degree in Medical Physics (or an equivalent foreign degree), or
• completed an alternative university education to achieve basic eligibility equivalent to 240 credits, of which courses of at least 60 credits are directly relevant for the doctoral studies announced here, and has completed a research project thesis (MSc thesis, or equivalent) corresponding to at least 30 credits.

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:  

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.  
• An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.  
• Written and oral communication skills 
• Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience. 

Other assessment criteria:

• Good knowledge of dosimetry, radiotherapy and treatment planning

Meritorious:

• Basic knowledge of radiobiology
• Completed degree project in medical physics with relevance for radiotherapy
• Medical physicist certification, as the project will take place in a clinical environment, partly using clinical equipment
• Documented experience of clinical radiotherapy physics
• Ability to communicate well in spoken and written English

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme. 

Terms of employment
Admission to third level (doctoral) studies is based primarily on the evaluated ability of the student to pursue and benefit from such studies.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statutes 1998:80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Instructions on how to apply
The application is to be made online. An incomplete application will not be processed. The application must contain CV, a copy of the 30 credit master's degree project thesis (or equivalent), and copies of certificates and documents that the applicant wishes to claim.