Two PhD Students-Doctoral Candidates (2 positions) MSCA Doctoral Network RAPTORplus – Right-time Adaptive Proton Therapy Focus areas: paediatric benefit of OAPT & health-economic optimisation of OAPT
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people.
PSI is a pioneer in the field of proton therapy. It conducts technological and clinical research in order to optimize spot scanning proton beam therapy and to extend the spectrum of indications for proton radiotherapy. Besides research activities, PSI provides a clinical program for patients presenting with indications that are accepted by the Swiss Health Care System for proton beam therapy. The Center for Proton Therapy collaborates closely with Departments for Radiotherapy at Universities and Swiss Cantonal Hospitals.
For the Center of Proton Therapy we are looking for
Your tasks
* Conduct independent and collaborative research within the RAPTORplus framework
* Interact closely with radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiotherapy technologists and industry partners
* Present your work at RAPTORplus training events, international conferences and in peer‑reviewed journals
* Participate in network‑wide training camps, online courses and secondments
* Perform retrospective dose‑reconstruction and NTCP analyses for paediatric patients treated with proton therapy and/or OAPT at PSI and partner centres
* Simulate and compare different adaptation and imaging schedules (e.g. daily CT, weekly OAPT, triggered adaptation) for various paediatric tumour sites
* Quantify the benefit–risk balance of OAPT in terms of target coverage, OAR sparing, late toxicity and secondary cancer risk
* Develop and validate a model‑based selection tool using AI‑assisted tools to support clinical decisions on when to use OAPT in paediatric patients
Background: RAPTORplus
RAPTORplus (Right‑time Adaptive Particle Therapy) is a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA‑DN) that will train 18 doctoral candidates across Europe to bring online adaptive proton therapy (OAPT) into routine clinical use. The network brings together leading proton therapy centres, universities and industry partners to:
* make OAPT workflows efficient, robust and affordable
* advance key imaging and verification technologies, and
* integrate biomarkers and health‑economic considerations for right‑time adaptation and personalised care
Within RAPTORplus, PSI hosts two Doctoral Candidates (DC3 and DC6), both funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and fully embedded in the RAPTORplus training and secondment programme.
Position 2 – DC6 (PSI/ETHZ) - The benefit of online adaptive proton therapy for paediatric patients
This PhD will quantify how much daily / right‑time adaptation can improve outcomes for paediatric patients while keeping imaging dose and secondary cancer risk as low as reasonably achievable.
Key research goals (DC6)
* Evaluate the trade‑off between imaging dose and therapeutic dose for paediatric patients treated (or hypothetically treated) with OAPT
* Quantify how integral dose (including daily imaging) relates to the risk of secondary cancers and late effects in children
* Develop and validate a model‑based patient selection strategy to identify paediatric patients who benefit most from OAPT compared to non‑adaptive or robustly optimised treatments
* Support the extension of OAPT to paediatric indications at PSI and partner centres, including the integration of advanced imaging (e.g. CBCT, CT–MRI strategies) into the adaptive workflow
Planned methods include retrospective dose accumulation studies, Monte Carlo simulations, NTCP‑based modelling of late effects, scenario simulations of different imaging/adaptation schedules (daily vs weekly vs triggered), and collaboration with international paediatric PT cohorts.
You will carry out your research at PSI and ETH Zurich, with secondments to leading European PT centres to analyse complementary paediatric cohorts and align selection models and cost/benefit assessments.
Your profile
* MSc degree in physics, biomedical engineer, software engineer or related studies
* Less than 4 years of full‑time research experience (after obtaining the Master’s degree) at the time of recruitment
* Fulfil the European MSCA mobility rule: you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date
* Fluency in English (oral and written, C1 level)
* Strong quantitative and analytical skills and the ability to work independently
* High motivation to pursue research excellence in proton therapy and adaptive radiotherapy
* Good communication skills and enjoyment of interdisciplinary, international teamwork
* Programming skills and interest (e.g. Python, MATLAB, C++) and experience with scientific computing or data analysis
* Background in medical physics / biomedical engineering or closely related field
* Interest in paediatric oncology, NTCP modelling and risk/benefit analyses
* Experience with radiotherapy treatment planning, image processing or dose calculation is an advantage
* Experience or interest in applying AI / machine learning to healthcare workflows, prediction models or decision‑support tools
We offer
* A fully funded PhD position in a leading proton therapy centre with access to state‑of‑the‑art clinical and research infrastructure
* Integration into the RAPTORplus Doctoral Network, including network‑wide training camps, online courses, secondments to academic, clinical and industrial partners and opportunities for collaboration and co‑authorship across Europe
* Employment at PSI and PhD enrolment at ETH Zurich
* An inspiring, interdisciplinary working environment with a strong culture of mentoring and collaboration
* Attractive employment conditions and modern on‑site infrastructure, with support for combining work and family life
Application and contact
Please submit your application online via the RAPTORplus recruitment portal, indicating clearly whether you are applying for:
* DC6 – Paediatric OAPT
* DC3 – Workflow & Health Economics
* or both positions
Your application should include:
* a cover letter specifying your motivation and preferred position(s)
* a CV (with list of publications, if any)
* degree certificates and transcripts (Bachelor and Master)
* contact details of two referees (or reference letters, if already available)
Priority will be given to applications received by 15 January 2026.
For further information, please contact:
Dr Francesca Albertini
Senior Medical Physicist & PI of the Adaptive Therapy Program
Center for Proton Therapy, Paul Scherrer Institute
Phone: +41 56 310 52 39
E‑mail: Francesca.Albertini@psi.ch
Paul Scherrer Institute, Human Resources Management, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
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