Institution | Faculty of Physics |
Remuneration group | TV-L E13 |
Full-time / Part-time | Part-time |
Start date | As soon as possible |
Application deadline | 2025-02-28 |
The research group of Prof. Marco Riboldi at the Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Physics of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), offers 2 PhD positions to investigate the feasibility of adaptive proton therapy based on proton radiographies. The positions are funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The research stems from the outcomes of a previous related project, where a framework for 2D-3D image registration has been developed to adapt the 3D treatment planning CT based on in-room acquired 2D proton images [1, 2].
We are looking for you:
in Garching
The activities planned in this DFG-funded renewal project are meant to complement the ongoing research efforts toward the development of clinical proton imaging acquisition systems [3]. Alongside the implementation of clinical imaging devices, the existing gaps can be summarized as follows: (1) the absence of integrated methods to concurrently account for anatomical changes uncertainties in the proton range in a daily adaptive plan scenario, (2) the need for a simulation environment where inaccuracies in adaptation are linked to variations in dosimetric outcomes and (3) the lack of accurate anthropomorphic phantoms for experimental validation and quality assurance of adaptive protocols. The proposal aims at the exploitation of the 2D-3D registration framework and the experimental phantom development skills developed throughout the previous DFG project. The PhD positions will develop original contributions to address the previously mentioned research gaps.
The specific tasks for each position can be summarized as follows.
Position A
In this PhD project, we aim to achieve the integration between the available 2D-3D registration framework and online refinement of the calibration between Hounsfield units (HU) and relative stopping power (RSP), as developed in the DFG project HIGH-ART [4]. Once available, the integrated tool will be exploited in simulation to quantify the dosimetric impact of adaptation based on proton radiographies, with a focus on lung cancer cases to account for inter and intra-fractional adaptation. The project entails the following work packages:
1. Integration of 2D-3D registration and calibration refinement
2. Analyze the impact of proton-radiography based adaptation in dose delivery
Position B
In this second PhD project, we will develop a 3D printed multimodal anthropomorphic phantom to test plan adaptation in future studies. The phantom will be designed to meet the specific requirements in proton imaging, and will serve for a possible experimental benchmark of adaptive proton therapy. The project is structured in the following work packages:
1. Development of a 4D multimodal anthropomorphic phantom
2. Test of combined 2D-3D registration and calibration refinement on phantom images
3. Preparation of phantom construction design for research use (open-source) to be shared with other groups.
The research project will offer a broad spectrum of tasks for both positions, including the further development of the simulation infrastructure and the realization of physical phantoms. Coordination in the activities for the two advertised positions is envisioned under the guidance of the project PI (Prof. Marco Riboldi). Collaboration with the LMU University Hospital in Großhadern will ensure access to the most advanced imaging technologies and first-class expertise in treatment planning, as required for the project. The salary for both positions will be 75% TV-L E13 , TV-L salary scale, for a duration of 36 months. The working place will be at the Forschungszentrum Garching, which is well connected with public transportation to the city of Munich, including direct connection to the LMU University Hospital. The successful candidate will work in a highly motivated and well established team within a multidisciplinary and international network embedded in a stimulating scientific environment, with a long tradition of collaboration and excellence in biomedical research, with outstanding research and clinical infrastructures. Disabled candidates are preferentially considered in case of equal qualification. Applications from women are highly encouraged. The candidate will be under the academic guidance of Professor Marco Riboldi.
Further benefits at the LMU:
People with disabilities who are equally as qualified as other applicants will receive preferential treatment.
Please send your complete application (curriculum vitae, motivational letter, transcript of records and contact information or letters from two references) by e-mail (single pdf file not exceeding 10MB) until 28/02/2025 to the following contacts:
Prof. Dr. Marco Riboldi, marco.riboldi@physik.uni-muenchen.de
Dr. Prasannakumar Palaniappan, p.palaniappan@physik.uni-muenchen.de
at the latest by February 28th, 2025. Please indicate in the electronic application to which position (position A or position B) you intend to apply.
References
[1] Palaniappan Prasannakumar et al. “X-ray CT adaptation based on a 2D–3D deformable image registration framework using simulated in-room proton radiographies”. In: Physics in Medicine and Biology 67.4 (2022), p. 045003.
[2] Palaniappan Prasannakumar et al. “Multi-stage image registration based on list-mode proton radiographies for small animal proton irradiation: A simulation study”. In: Zeitschrift fur medizinische Physik 34.4 (2024), pp. 521–532.
[3] Robert P Johnson. “Meeting the detector challenges for pre-clinical proton and ion computed tomography”. In: Physics in Medicine and Biology 69.11 (2024), 11TR02.
[4] Gianoli Chiara et al. “Patient-specific CT calibration based on ion radiography for different detector configurations in 1H, 4He and 12C ion pencil beam scanning”. In: Physics in Medicine and Biology 65.24 (2020), p. 245014
LMU researchers work at the highest level on the great questions affecting people, society, culture, the environment and technology — supported by experts in administration, IT and tech. Become part of LMU Munich!