Doctoral Position in Physics, Medical Physics, Engineering or Mathematics for Simulation of MRI Magnets
Kennziffer: 2024-0248
- Heidelberg
- Full-time
- Medical Physics in Radiology
„Forschen für ein Leben ohne Krebs“ – das ist unsere Aufgabe am Deutschen Krebsforschungszentrum. Wir erforschen, wie Krebs entsteht, erfassen Krebsrisikofaktoren und suchen nach neuen Strategien, die verhindern, dass Menschen an Krebs erkranken. Wir entwickeln neue Methoden, mit denen Tumore präziser diagnostiziert und Krebspatient:innen erfolgreicher behandelt werden können. Jeder Beitrag zählt – ob in der Forschung, in der Administration oder der Infrastruktur. Das macht unsere tägliche Arbeit so bedeutungsvoll und spannend.
Within a project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) we are investigating the integration of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and radiation therapy with ions.
The irradiation with ions offers the possibility to deposit high doses of radiation specifically in a tumor. For this purpose, the tissue must be modeled very precisely in the context of radiation planning. Here, MR imaging offers a more detailed insight into the distribution of soft tissue in comparison to computed tomography (CT), which is conventionally used in radiotherapy planning. As MR imaging is a non-invasive imaging method, it also offers the possibility to assess the patient anatomy prior to or during therapy, from which the therapy can be adjusted. The combination and integration of both technologies is a highly innovative field of research.
As part of this project we offer a PhD position for a physicist, medical physicist, engineer, or mathematician. The aim of the project is to develop and investigate novel magnet geometries optimized for MR-guided ion therapy based on superconducting magnets constructed with high-temperature superconductors (HTS). The project will use magnetostatic simulations with FEM tools (CST, Opera) to design homogenous magnetic fields, investigate coil design, perform magnetic force calculations, calculate power consumption, design magnetic shielding arrangements, and evaluate safety and compliance. Although the project is primarily based on numerical simulations, there will be significant opportunities to interact with a commercial magnet vendor to incorporate practical design parameters.
The first year of the doctoral contract will be with Heidelberg University Hospital, the second and third years with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).
Ihre Aufgaben:
- Active participation in a significant multidisciplinary research project
- Close cooperation with scientific partners at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg and at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT)
- Interaction with a commercial magnet vendor
- Simulation of magnets that are optimized for MR-guided radiation therapy with protons and heavier ions (e.g. carbon ions), exploiting the material parameters of HTS to realize more open or single-sided geometries
- Derivation of specific requirements for the magnet design as well as for materials and material distributions of the coil windings and housing by means of numerical simulations under consideration of material constraints
- Collaboration within a larger team examining optimizations of other MRI subsystems like gradients and radiofrequency hardware
- Publication in high-ranked journals; presentation at scientific conferences
Ihr Profil:
- Completed studies with diploma or master's degree in physics, medical physics, engineering, mathematics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline
- Experience in the following areas is an advantage: MR physics, scientific programming (MATLAB, C/C++, etc.), electromagnetic simulations
- Target-oriented working methods and communication skills in a multidisciplinary work environment
- Reliability, self-initiative, motivation, and ability to work in a team
- Very good knowledge of English, both written and spoken; German beneficial
Unser Angebot:
- Hervorragende Rahmenbedingungen: modernste state-of-the-art Infrastruktur und Möglichkeit zum internationalen Austausch auf Spitzenniveau
- Zugang zu internationalen Forschungs-Netzwerken
- Doktorandengehalt mit den üblichen Sozialleistungen
- 30 Tage Urlaub
- Flexible Arbeitszeiten
- Möglichkeit zur mobilen Arbeit und Teilzeitarbeit
- Familienfreundliches Arbeitsumfeld
- Nachhaltig zur Arbeit: Vergünstigtes Deutschland-Jobticket
- Entfalten Sie Ihr volles Potenzial: gezieltes Training und Mentoring durch das DKFZ International PhD Program und den DKFZ Career Service
- Unser betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement bietet ein ganzheitliches Angebot für Ihr Wohlbefinden
Sie sind interessiert?
Prof. Dr. Mark Ladd
Telefon: +49 (0)6221/42-2550
