Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship
In this PhD project, we will develop a technique to measure the dynamic oxygen level in tissue. The technique will be used to investigate how radiotherapy with ultra-high dose rates (so-called FLASH radiotherapy) impacts the oxygen level on a millisecond time scale. This will be done by measuring the oxygen level in mice during irradiation with various dose rates.
FLASH is a novel form of cancer radiotherapy where the treatment is delivered with ultra-high dose rates that are hundreds of times higher than conventionally used. FLASH has received massive attention since pre-clinical (animal) studies show that the ultra-high dose rates reduce side effects substantially while the tumor killing effect is the same as for conventional dose rates. Hence, FLASH has the potential to treat cancer with fewer side effects. However, the radiobiological mechanism behind the FLASH tissue sparing is still unknown and should be better understood before clinical application for patients. The oxygen level in tissue is known to play a role for the FLASH tissue sparing, but the exact role is unknown. This project will investigate the role of oxygen by measuring oxygen level changes during irradiation and link it to the radiobiological effects.
Since 2020 we have conducted a series of FLASH experiments with proton and electron beams at Aarhus University Hospital. We have experimentally determined the degree of FLASH tissue sparing in mouse irradiations with a wide range of dose rates and time structures. The PhD project will extend these experiments with dynamic oxygen measurements for better understanding of the FLASH mechanism.
The PhD project will start with the development of an optical technique to determine oxygen levels in tissue from the phosphorescent decay time of a molecular probe injected in mice. Next, the technique will be used to measure dynamic oxygen level changes in mice during FLASH irradiation. Finally, the relationship between initial oxygen level, radiation-induced oxygen changes, and FLASH tissue sparing will be investigated for both normal tissue and tumors. The project takes place in a multidisciplinary team with physicists, biologists, and radiation oncologists. The successful candidate must have a MSc degree in a relevant field such as physics, biotechnology, or bioengineering, good programming and analytical skills, and good flair for experimental physics.
A MSc degree in a relevant field such as physics, biotechnology, or bioengineering, good programming and analytical skills, and a flair for experimental physics.
Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 16 October 2024 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 January 2025.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please contact Professor Per Rugaard Poulsen, per.poulsen@rm.dk, for more information.
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
