5D model-based treatment personalization for right-time adaptive proton therapy

KU LEUVEN, Belgium

Updated: 11 days ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 09 Feb 2026

17 Jan 2026
Job Information
Organisation/Company

KU LEUVEN
Research Field

Computer science » Programming
Physics » Computational physics
Engineering » Biomedical engineering
Engineering » Systems engineering
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Application Deadline

9 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)
Country

Belgium
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Offer Starting Date

1 Jul 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon 2020
Reference Number

BAP-2025-741
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Applications should be exclusively submitted through the consortium webpage https://raptor-consortium.com/recruitment/
RAPTORplus aims at adapting proton therapy treatment with multi-modality image information acquired at various time scales. Daily anatomical changes would be characterized by on-board X-ray based imaging systems (or eventually MRI), while longer term biological modifications would be detected with offline functional imaging (PET or MRI). The optimal timing of image acquisition and subsequent adaptations depend on the potential gains in outcome which must be balanced against practical considerations. For instance, it might be more productive to develop very fast treatment workflows without online adaptation to maximize patient throughput on an expensive proton therapy machine, instead of performing systematic online adaptation with minor gains in clinical outcome and a reduction in machine capacity due to the time required for the adaptation. The opensource treatment planning system (OpenTPS) will be extended to optimize and/or evaluate a treatment using multi-modality image information (3 first dimensions), timing considerations (4th dimension), and biological modeling (5th dimension). Variability in treatment outcome will be expressed using normal tissue complication and tumor control probabilities. Treatments with X-rays and protons will be both simulated.
We provide here a more detailed description of the workpackages (WP) associated to this project
WP1 – Development of a flexible clinical workflow simulator in OpenTPS: OpenTPS features an advanced robustness evaluation tool for proton therapy treatments (MCsquare), including LET computation. OpenTPS will also soon feature photon dose calculation. By introducing multi-modality imaging, treatment adaptations on various timescales, and, when necessary, biological functions (TCP and NTCP), it would be possible to provide a comprehensive and quantitative assessment of the treatment outcome for many adaptation, fractionation, and treatment prescription schemes.
WP2 – Optimization of the treatment workflow using various optimization techniques: We will first envisage optimization techniques that are not based on neural networks. We will first optimize the workflow against physical parameters (dose distribution related metrics) before integrating biological functions.
WP3 – Training of an AI-agent with reinforcement learning: In this case, an AI-agent, whose task will be to “discover” the best treatment strategy, will be trained with reinforcement learning. The reward can be formulated as the product of the TCP x (1 – NCTP). The AI-agent will then play with the meta-parameters in order to maximize that product.
The Doctoral candidate will work at the Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy in the Department of Oncology under the supervision of Prof. Edmond Sterpin.  The candidate should:

  • Be interested in an intensive research experience of several years
  • Have a strong scientific background: master in physics, master in medical physics and many masters engineering are eligible (physics, computing, signal processing,…)
  • Strong skills in scientific programming: knowledge of Python and C/C++
  • Strong oral and written communication skills in English
  • Be open to travel, as secondments are foreseen
  • A PhD research project in a highly relevant and timely topic that will ultimately lead to publications with high impact. 
  • An enthusiastic multidisciplinary environment in the Protontherapy center in UZ Leuven- Gasthuisberg campus
  • A close collaboration with the IBA company, leader in proton therapy equipment.
  • A close collaboration with RaySearch, a treatment planning software provider
  • Collaborations with our international partners.
  • The PhD project fully funded for 3 full years in the context of an European funded consortium. PhD duration is typically 4 years in KU Leuven. Complementary funding will be actively sought.


    • Applications should be submitted EXCLUSIVELY through the consortium webpage https://raptor-consortium.com/recruitment/
    For more information please contact Prof. dr. Edmond Sterpin,mail: edmond.sterpin@kuleuven.be .


    Where to apply
    Website
    https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60596125?hl=en

    Requirements
    Research Field
    Computer science
    Education Level
    Master Degree or equivalent

    Research Field
    Engineering
    Education Level
    Master Degree or equivalent

    Research Field
    Physics
    Education Level
    Master Degree or equivalent

    Languages
    ENGLISH
    Level
    Excellent

    Research Field
    Computer science » Programming
    Years of Research Experience
    None

    Additional Information
    Benefits
  • A PhD research project in a highly relevant and timely topic that will ultimately lead to publications with high impact. 
  • An enthusiastic multidisciplinary environment in the Protontherapy center in UZ Leuven- Gasthuisberg campus
  • A close collaboration with the IBA company, leader in proton therapy equipment.
  • A close collaboration with RaySearch, a treatment planning software provider
  • Collaborations with our international partners.
  • The PhD project fully funded for 3 full years in the context of an European funded consortium. PhD duration is typically 4 years in KU Leuven. Complementary funding will be actively sought.



    • Eligibility criteria

    The candidate should:

    • Be interested in an intensive research experience of several years
    • Have a strong scientific background: master in physics, master in medical physics and many masters engineering are eligible (physics, computing, signal processing,…)
    • Strong skills in scientific programming: knowledge of Python and C/C++
    • Strong oral and written communication skills in English
    • Be open to travel, as secondments are foreseen

    Selection process

    Applications should be submitted EXCLUSIVELY through the consortium webpage https://raptor-consortium.com/recruitment/
    For more information please contact Prof. dr. Edmond Sterpin,mail: edmond.sterpin@kuleuven.be .


    Website for additional job details

    https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60596125?hl=en

    Work Location(s)
    Number of offers available
    1
    Company/Institute
    KU LEUVEN
    Country
    Belgium
    City
    Leuven
    Geofield


    Contact
    City

    Leuven

    STATUS: EXPIRED

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