PhD position pediatric brain tumor

Within the Pediatric Oncology Unit KU Leuven, we are looking for a motivated PhD student to join our research team. The team is led by Professor Sandra Jacobs, who is a neuro-oncologist with specific expertise in international pediatric neuro-oncology research. The PhD student will conduct a large-scale neuroimaging project to investigate radiotherapy-induced neurotoxicity in pediatric brain tumor patients. The project is a close collaboration between the departments of Oncology, Radiotherapy and Radiology.

Project

For pediatric brain tumor patients, cranial irradiation is known to result in neurotoxicity and long-term neurocognitive decline, which hugely affects their long-term quality of life. Previously, neuroimaging studies reported widespread brain alterations after conventional photon (X-ray) beam radiotherapy (XRT). However, it has not been investigated yet how XRT affects the neural connections in the brain, i.e. the so-called connectome, and what the potential impact on neurocognitive functioning is. In this respect, proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) holds great promise, targeting the tumor more precisely, resulting in decreased secondary (scatter) radiation. This allows better sparing of the healthy brain tissue as compared to XRT. So, PBT holds promise to improve treatment while reducing a negative impact on neurocognitive functioning. As from the end of 2019 onwards PBT is available in Belgium for pediatric brain tumor patients, early detection of neural damage will be critical in order to closely follow-up and optimize this promising innovative technology.

In this PhD project, we aim to detect the extent of neurotoxic impact of both XRT and PBT on the brain connectome and neurocognitive functioning in pediatric brain tumor patients. Susceptibility and functional importance of brain areas is investigated, by implementing a state-of-the art multimodal neuroimaging protocol combined with neurocognitive assessments. To this end, two studies are currently conducted: (1) one XRT-treated survivor study and (2) one longitudinal follow-up study of pediatric patients treated with PBT. The main objective of this monocentric study is to limit neurotoxicity of PBT and work towards optimization of the treatment in pediatric brain tumor patients.

The multi-modal MR neuroimaging information in combination with in-depth neurocognitive testing will allow to thoroughly investigate radiation-induced cognitive impairment in pediatric brain tumor patients. The acquired knowledge will consequently be applied to spare functionally important brain structures in the application of PBT in pediatric brain tumor patients. As such, this innovative interdisciplinary project will help to set-up future neuroimaging-guided, vulnerable brain region-sparing radiotherapy protocols, limiting neurotoxic sequelae.

Profile

• Has strong programming skills or is eager to be trained
• Communicative skills towards oncology patients, families, multidisciplinary colleagues and the international scientific community
• Has a strong interest in a clinical setting
• Has a strong interest in medical imaging, for which experience is an asset
• Dutch and French speaking, or willing to train such a language (for contact with patients and families)
• Sufficient level of English speaking and writing skills
• Highly motivated to communicate this research at international level (by scientific publications and oral presentations on conferences)
• Master’s degree in Engineering /Physics with a special interest in clinical work, or a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences/Psychology/Biology with an interest in the technical approach used in brain imaging.

The Pediatric Oncology Unit is looking for 1 PhD researcher, who is independent and willing to assist in expanding the team. The PhD researcher is expected to work fulltime on this specific project for 4years.

Offer

We offer a project which is highly innovative at international level, in close collaboration with the departments of radiotherapy and radiology. The PhD student will be embedded in the multidisciplinary research team and Focus Group of Cancer and Cognition (Leuven Cancer Institute). https://www.uzleuven-kuleuven.be/lki/nl/focus-group/cancer-cognition

The researcher will acquire skills in advanced MR neuroimaging (High-resolution anatomical T1-w imaging, Multi-shell diffusion imaging (DWI), Susceptibility-weighted MRI (SWI), Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL), and functional MRI (fMRI)), as well as in the clinical support of experiences of childhood brain tumor patients and survivors (by questionnaire acquisition and neurocognitive assessments).

The attractive project will constitute of a 1-year contract, which in case of positive evaluation is prolonged for the following 3 years. The researcher is enrolled in a PhD program whereby PhD tuition fee is paid by project. The researcher is supervised and guided by experts in this field.

Interested?

Only applications for which the following information has been uploaded will be considered:

-Cover Letter (describing your motivation to apply, your research career goals, skills and experience)

-CV

-Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)

-Full contact details of at least 2 reference persons

-Other information for consideration can be uploaded as well (e.g., a list of publications if applicable)

 Please use the university's job portal when applying for this position.

For more information please contact Prof. Dr. Sandra Jacobs (tel: 016/341753), email: sandra2.jacobs@uzleuven.be ).

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