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Funded PhD Position at the University of Zurich – Medical Physics and Radiation Research
We are seeking a doctoral student to develop a nanodosimter for the determination of quality factors for radiation protection and to investigate Monte Carlo based uncertainty analysis of cancer induction for low- to high-dose cancer risk
Keywords: nanodosimter, Monte Carlo simulation, epidemiological studies
Evaluation and monitoring of the cancer risk from different radiation qualities is a crucial requirement for radiation protection, long-term space missions and medicine. One important task in the risk calculation is to properly weigh the various components of radiation dose according to their assumed contribution to the cancer risk relative to the risk associated with radiation of low ionization density. Currently, quality factors of radiation both on the ground and in space are defined by national and international commissions based on existing radiobiological data and presumed knowledge of the ionization density distribution of the radiation field at a given point of interest. This approach makes the determination of the average quality factor of a given radiation field a rather complex task. As a consequence, the estimation of radiation-induced cancer risks at low to high dose is still a challenging issue for risk assessment.
This PhD-project, a collaboration between the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI), was initiated with the goal to investigate the possibility to define quality factors of radiation exposure based on nanodosimetric data. The experimental approach of nanodosimetry comprises the development of a small nanodosimeter which can be used to measure cluster size distributions and/or track structures of different radiations. During the development of the nanodosimeter, accompanying Monte Carlo simulations of the cluster size distributions should be performed. In a second step a relation between nanodosimeteric data and the biological effect should be established by the development of new cell survival models completely based on nanodosimetric quantities. The second part of the PhD project should investigate methods to simulate in detail an epidemiological study. A matched case-control study on second cancer after radiotherapy including dose stratification should be selected. This study is then Monte-Carlo simulated and the simulated predicted second cancer risk is compared to the epidemiological obtained risk.
We are particularly looking for candidates with a MSc in physics. Ideally, the candidates will also have a basic understanding of experimental dosimetry and Monte Carlo simulations of radiation. Oral and written English language skills are mandatory. German language skills are not required, but of advantage.
Start date: 01.06.2019 until 01.09.2019
Evaluation and monitoring of the cancer risk from different radiation qualities is a crucial requirement for radiation protection, long-term space missions and medicine. One important task in the risk calculation is to properly weigh the various components of radiation dose according to their assumed contribution to the cancer risk relative to the risk associated with radiation of low ionization density. Currently, quality factors of radiation both on the ground and in space are defined by national and international commissions based on existing radiobiological data and presumed knowledge of the ionization density distribution of the radiation field at a given point of interest. This approach makes the determination of the average quality factor of a given radiation field a rather complex task. As a consequence, the estimation of radiation-induced cancer risks at low to high dose is still a challenging issue for risk assessment. This PhD-project, a collaboration between the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI), was initiated with the goal to investigate the possibility to define quality factors of radiation exposure based on nanodosimetric data. The experimental approach of nanodosimetry comprises the development of a small nanodosimeter which can be used to measure cluster size distributions and/or track structures of different radiations. During the development of the nanodosimeter, accompanying Monte Carlo simulations of the cluster size distributions should be performed. In a second step a relation between nanodosimeteric data and the biological effect should be established by the development of new cell survival models completely based on nanodosimetric quantities. The second part of the PhD project should investigate methods to simulate in detail an epidemiological study. A matched case-control study on second cancer after radiotherapy including dose stratification should be selected. This study is then Monte-Carlo simulated and the simulated predicted second cancer risk is compared to the epidemiological obtained risk. We are particularly looking for candidates with a MSc in physics. Ideally, the candidates will also have a basic understanding of experimental dosimetry and Monte Carlo simulations of radiation. Oral and written English language skills are mandatory. German language skills are not required, but of advantage. Start date: 01.06.2019 until 01.09.2019
Please send your complete application electronically to Prof. Uwe Schneider. We request a letter of motivation, and your CV plus transcripts of BSc and MSc grades or equivalent.
Please send your complete application electronically to Prof. Uwe Schneider. We request a letter of motivation, and your CV plus transcripts of BSc and MSc grades or equivalent.
Prof. Dr. Uwe Schneider, University of Zurich, Institute of Physics, Medical Physics and Radiation research Group, uwe.schneider@uzh.ch.
Prof. Dr. Uwe Schneider, University of Zurich, Institute of Physics, Medical Physics and Radiation research Group, uwe.schneider@uzh.ch.