Postdoctoral position (F/M)

Job description

Proton minibeam radiotherapy (pMBRT) is an innovative therapeutic approach which uses a strong spatial modulation of the dose to create alternating regions of high and low dose. pMBRT combines the advantages of proton therapy and the spatial fractionation of the dose for normal tissue sparing. Institut Curie has already demonstrated that this distinct dose delivery method increases the tolerance of normal (brain, skin, lung) tissue while providing equivalent or superior tumour control in preclinical models, resulting in an outstanding increase of the therapeutic index. Thus, pMBRT may benefit the treatment of large or resistant tumours, for which the requested dose is compromised by the surrounding normal tissue toxicities.

This project aims at developing the medical physics tools needed to bring pMBRT to patients as well as to unravelling the distinct radiobiological mechanisms in pMBRT. To this end, a series of radiobiological (in vivo experiments), simulations and dosimetric studies will be performed during the project.

Within the radiation oncology department based at the Institut Curie- Hospital Orsay (91), the medical physics' team is therefore recruiting a postdoctoral fellow, with a strong interest in translational research on cancer treatment. As part of the activities of this project, the applicant would be expected to work in the following areas:

• Developments of computational methods for pMBRT-PT: strategies to obtain the best spatial resolution in healthy tissues and coverage of large volumes need to be evaluated for the current machine settings and new algorithms, in particular for hypofractionated realistic treatment plans. With that aim, the applicant will parameterise a MC based (eg TOPAS+ clinical or research TPS) dose-calculation engine to be tested for the simulation of realistic clinical treatments, with conformal multi-fields and/or transmission/shoot through plans.
• Optimisation of dosimetric methods for pMBRT-PT: accurate dose determination is paramount for the treatment success as well as for the interpretation of radiobiological experiments. Our group is working on addressing the challenges of small beams dosimetry for radiobiology/clinical investigations. Radiation therapy dosimetry (protons), robustness and uncertainties, inter-comparisons and high spatial resolution detectors (scintillators, films, chambers, diamonds, alanine etc) will be made as several experimental characterisation campaigns are underway with minibeams, and the researcher will participate in these measurements.

Candidate Profile

Training and experience required

• PhD in radiation physics, medical physics or detection physics
• Radiation¬ matter interactions / radiation therapy / dosimetry
• Preferred expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas: programming skills (MATLAB, Python, C++) – Monte Carlo simulations (ex: Geant4/TOPAS) – Measurements – Treatment planning.

Skills required

• Strong will to interact with scientists from different disciplines
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work independently and creative thinking.

All our opportunities are open to people with disabilities.

Contract information

• Type of contract: Fixed-term contract
• Starting date:  September 2023
• Duration: 24 months
• Working time: Full time - 39 hours per week
• Remuneration: According to the current grids
• Benefits: Collective catering, reimbursement of transportation fees up to 70%, supplementary health insurance
• Location of the position: Orsay proton therapy centre
• Reference: 2023-07-RADIO-POSTDOCT01                                     

Contact

Please send your CV, letter of motivation and references, to ludovic.demarzi@curie.fr.

Publication date: July 6^th, 2023

Deadline for application: October 31^st, 2023

Institut Curie is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer

and is dedicated to the highest standards of research integrity.