Clinical and Technical Advancements in Deep Hyperthermia for Cancer Treatment

Job description

Heating tumors to mild temperatures (≈39–45 °C) enhances the effectiveness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy without increasing toxicity to healthy tissues. However, maintaining the desired temperature distribution is challenging due to physiological thermoregulation, anatomical variations, and RF field effects. Accurate, real-time 3D temperature mapping is therefore essential to optimize treatment delivery and assess therapeutic efficacy.

At Erasmus MC, we have integrated magnetic resonance (MR) technology with deep hyperthermia therapy using a state-of-the-art MR-compatible system that enables temperature monitoring during treatment. Building on our extensive research in cervical cancer, we are now launching a clinical trial focused on rectal cancer.

This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to both clinical application and technological innovation.

You will work on enhancing deep hyperthermia by:

• Developing and implementing robust clinical workflows for therapy delivery
• Advancing MR imaging techniques to improve treatment monitoring
• Investigating temperature-sensitive MR biomarkers for treatment prediction

This position is ideal for candidates passionate about applying advanced imaging and therapeutic technologies to real-world clinical challenges.

The research combines clinical implementation with technical development, contributing to personalized, image-guided thermal therapies. You will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary team of radiation oncologists, physicists, RF engineers, and MRI scientists within the Erasmus MC Hyperthermia Research Group.

Work environment

Erasmus Medical Center stands for excellence in healthcare through research and education. The project will be carried out at the Hyperthermia group of the Department of Radiation Oncology of Erasmus Medical Center, in strong cooperation with the MR physics group of the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine department. We are a hands-on driven group with a high level of expertise, working hard to renew the healthcare of today and public health of tomorrow. Our institute is at the forefront of Image Guided Therapy and offers a dynamic, challenging, multi-disciplinary and cooperative research environment.

Qualifications and skills

You are a highly motivated candidate with a MSc degree in Medical Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical engineering or Physics.

Experience with MRI environment, programing and hands-on experiments are an advantage, but not a precondition.

You are able to work in a multi-disciplinary team and be highly motivated for innovative research on experimental work and clinical implementation.

You also have a practical, result-driven working attitude and you are an excellent team player and communicator. Good academic writing and presentation skills in English are required as well.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• You will receive a temporary position.
• The gross monthly salary ranges from €2.901,- to a maximum of €3.677,- (scale OIO) based on a full-time workweek of 36 hours
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and an individual travel expense package.
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for your arrival and stay.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as an incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work. .
• An international office which aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay

More information

Make this job your next career move! Apply now using the application button.

For more information about this position, please contact Marja van Hoorn, secretaresse, on behalf of dr. Sergio Curto, via phone +31(0)10 7041741.

No agencies please.