Summary
University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht is offering a fully funded 4-year PhD position within the AERO study. This research project integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI), innovative non-invasive functional imaging, and advanced data analytics to predict regional changes in lung function post-radiotherapy, enabling personalized treatment plans that spare healthy lung tissue and improve the quality of life for lung cancer patients.
PhD Position: AI and Functional Imaging for Personalized Lung Radiotherapy (AERO Study)
Designation
- PhD Candidate / Promovendus (OIO)
Key Information Table
| Parameter | Details |
| Position / Title | PhD Candidate in AI and Functional Imaging for Personalized Lung Radiotherapy (AERO Study) |
| Host Institution | University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht) |
| Departments | Center for Image Science & Department of Radiotherapy |
| Location | Utrecht, Netherlands |
| Position Type | Temporary / Full-time (36 hours/week) |
| Duration | 4 years (starting November 1, 2026) |
| Gross Monthly Salary | €3,217 – €4,077 per month (Scale OIO / Cao UMC) |
| Additional Benefits | 8% Holiday allowance, 8.3% Year-end bonus, 70% ABP Pension contribution, full public transport reimbursement |
| Application Deadline | September 15, 2026 |
Research Area
- Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning & Deep Learning) in Healthcare
- Medical Imaging & Image Processing
- Radiation Oncology / Radiotherapy Planning
- Biomedical Engineering & Data Science
Location
- UMC Utrecht (Center for Image Science & Department of Radiotherapy), Utrecht, Netherlands.
Eligibility / Qualification
- Education: Master’s degree (MSc) in Biomedical Engineering, (Bio)medical Imaging, Biomedical Technology, Medical Informatics, Technical Medicine, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
- Technical Skills: Experience or strong demonstrable interest in programming, machine learning, or deep learning.
- Domain Interest: Genuine affinity for AI applications in healthcare, medical imaging, and radiotherapy.
- Soft Skills: Proactive attitude, strong analytical mindset, capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
- Language Proficiency: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (and Dutch proficiency is advantageous).
Scholarship / Project Description
As a PhD candidate on the AERO Study (funded by the UMC Utrecht & Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Hanarth Foundation), you will work in an interdisciplinary environment alongside computer scientists, data scientists, clinical physicists, and radiation oncologists.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collect and curate clinical and medical imaging datasets.
- Generate anatomical, functional, and dosimetric maps of the lungs using novel non-invasive imaging methods.
- Develop, validate, and refine AI-driven predictive models for regional lung function alterations post-irradiation.
- Analyze spatial patterns of radiation-induced toxicity.
- Assess the technical feasibility of integrating these AI models into clinical radiotherapy planning workflows.
- Publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences.
How to Apply
- Online Submission: Submit your application (CV and cover letter explaining your motivation and qualifications) directly via the official UMC Utrecht Vacancy Application Portal.
- Interviews: Candidate interviews are scheduled during weeks 39 and 40.
- Contact for Inquiries: For questions regarding the position, contact Hilâl Tekatli at
+31 (0)88 75 530 39or via the inquiry link on the portal.
Last Date for Apply
- September 15, 2026
