PhD Research Fellow in Computational modelling and image reconstruction algorithms
Deadline: 15.01.2021
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
With about 16,000 students, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest higher education institutions in Norway. A broad range of academic programmes are offered at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, spread out on five campuses Førde, Sogndal, Bergen, Stord og Haugesund.
Our ambition is to build stronger and more solid academic and research environments that will interact nationally and internationally. The aim is to become a recognized actor on the international higher education arena. Increased international cooperation and engagement in externally funded projects will work towards this goal.
The Faculty of Engineering and Science has approximately 270 employees and approximately 3,200 students. The faculty has a broad educational offer at both bachelor's and master's level in engineering and science, as well as PhD education in computer technology. The Mohns Center for Innovation and Regional Development researches innovation and offers master's education in innovation and entrepreneurship. The diving education offers a one-year vocational school education.
The main part of the faculty's activities are in Haugesund, Bergen, Sogndal and Førde, but we also offer decentralized education in Florø, Kristiansund and Stord.
The faculty's activities are internationally based and take place in close collaboration with regional companies, clusters, health trusts and the public sector, including other institutions in the university and college sector. This applies to research, development, innovation and not least education with student projects at all levels.
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, The Department of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences has a vacancy for a research fellow in computational modelling and image reconstruction for a period of 3 years
The PhD research fellow in computational modelling and image reconstruction for a range assessment-based treatment verification system in particle therapy will be part of the PhD programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks and Engineering Computing. The research programme in Computer Science currently includes 20 professors and associate professors, more than 30 PhD and post-doctoral fellows, and a large number of master’s students.
About the PhD project
Particle therapy (PT) is a promising radiotherapy modality for the treatment of cancerous tissue. Yet, range uncertainties due to errors inherent in treatment planning, anatomical changes, patient motion and positioning, inter- and intra-fractional organ motion pose a significant challenge in clinical practice, which limit its true potential.
In December 2019, HVL was awarded a research grant from the Research Council of Norway for a project entitled “Neutron and gamma-ray imaging for real-time range verification and image guidance in particle therapy” (NOVO). The main aim of NOVO is to develop the proof-of-concept of a new imaging system based on densely stacked, optically segmented arrays of organic scintillators with sufficient sensitivity to secondary fast neutrons and prompt gamma-rays produced in nuclear interactions of incident particles with human tissue. The emission patterns of these secondaries encode valuable information on the range of incident particle beams, which will help to reduce potential adverse effects of range uncertainties through real-time Range assessment-based Treatment Verification (RTV).
The NOVO project is the result of a large collaboration with numerous respected research institutions from Europe and the USA. Therefore, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work and develop the skills needed in a highly international environment. The position is focuses on system modelling and exploration of existing image reconstruction algorithms as well as development of new algorithms and their implementation in software. With this work, the PhD student will make an important contribution to the development of a clinically applicable RTV system.
The place of employment is campus Bergen.
Work tasks:
Implementation of state-of-the-art image reconstruction algorithms
Development of Monte Carlo computational models of the entire detection system
Development of new reconstruction algorithms based on heuristics with the aim of improving reconstruction performance
Detector response function modelling
Implementation of deterministic models of radiation transport calculations
Test and validation of algorithms with model data as well as experimental data
Publication of results in appropriate scientific conferences and journals
Presentation of results obtained at international scientific conferences / workshops
Close collaboration with medical experts and other scientific personnel at partner institutions
Research environment
The computer science research environment at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences has a strong focus on use-inspired and applied research, and on ICT as an enabling technology. The research environment has cooperation with many national and international research groups, and with national and regional industry partners. The research programme includes the research themes of software engineering, engineering computing, sensor networks and measurement technologies, grid computing and physics data analysis, machine learning, and interactive and collaborative systems.
The present PhD research fellow position is associated with the sensor networks and measurement technologies research group with a strong track record in sensor networks and communication, condition monitoring and technology in health and care.
PhD research fellows receive an annual funding for work expenses that can be used for conference participation, research visits, and equipment.
Qualifications:
The PhD research fellow must hold a master’s degree in informatics, applied mathematics, computer science, software engineering, engineering computing, scientific computing, or computational engineering. Applicants holding a master’s degree in radiation (or experimental nuclear) physics, medical physics, nuclear engineering with strong emphasis on computing in the master’s thesis and associated course work may also qualify for the position.
Candidates who have submitted a master’s thesis (but who has not yet been awarded a master’s degree) may also qualify for the position provided that the master`s degree is awarded within 4 weeks after the application deadline. A solid background in Monte Carlo and/or deterministic radiation transport calculations, medical imaging systems and image reconstruction algorithms, previous experience with detector response function modelling, previous knowledge of particle therapy will be considered an advantage when candidates are ranked. Practical programming experience using a programming language such as Python, MATLAB, C++ or Root is a must for a successful implementation of the PhD project. Candidates already holding a PhD within this field are not eligible for this position.
In addition to the required educational and scientific background, the following criteria will be evaluated: competence and grades on completed course work, quality of the master's thesis (excellent grade, equivalent of grade B or better on the ECTS grading system), publications (if any), research and teaching experience, practical software engineering skills and experience.
The candidate must be diligent and display the ability to work independently, supplemented with regular guidance, and will be expected to carry out high-quality research and to publish the results in international workshops, conferences, and journals.
The PhD research fellow must enrol in the PhD programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks and Engineering Computing at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and must meet the formal admission requirements for admission into the PhD programme. The employment period may be reduced if the successful applicant has held previous employment as a research fellow.
The PhD candidate will be assigned two academic supervisors at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and a co-supervisor at the University of Manchester as well as the Technical University of Delft. An application for enrolment should first be submitted after an appointment is made and the supervisor(s) will help with this procedure. The candidate must be enrolled as a PhD student within 3 months from the start of the employment.
Application procedure:
Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members.
Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job” (“Søk stillingen”).
The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:
Master Thesis
Copies of selected academic publications (no more than 15)
A CV with a complete list of academic publications
Diplomas and certificates
Applicants should indicate which publications or parts of publications should be given special consideration in the evaluation. If the documents submitted are not in a Scandinavian language or in English, the applicants must submit certified translations of these. The transcripts must specify the topics, the course works, and the grades at the bachelor`s and master`s degree levels.
Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant enclose a review from NOKUT whether the education (bachelor and master’s degree) is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see www.nokut.no/en for more information about NOKUT’s general recognition. This may take some time and we recommend you to apply as soon as you know you will apply for this position. If no answer within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from NOKUT that they have received your application.
Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel. Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at the college.
Salary:
Good occupational pension, insurance and loan schemes from The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
Exciting academic environment with the possibility of competence enhancement and development
Opportunities for training within the working hours
Initial salaries will be offered at grade 54 (code 1017) in the Civil Service pay grade table scale
There is a compulsory 2% deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.
General information:
The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansatte)". Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.
State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.
Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.
