Dr Cynthia Eccles, Prof Ananya Choudhury, Dr Alan McWilliam, Dr Ganesh Radhakrishna
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Interested candidates are invited to attend a virtual information and networking event for the CRUK RadNet AHP Academy on 12 May 2020 beginning at 13:00 (GMT). Please register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cruk-radnet-ahp-academy-networking-event-launch-tickets-102897360776.
This high-quality research project supervised by core members of the Allied Health Professions (AHP) Academic Hub and colleagues from the Radiotherapy Related Research (RRR) group and Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) will focus on the rapid translation of delivery of highly precise radiotherapy using our advanced radiotherapy (RT) platforms specifically the magnetic resonance guided linear accelerator (MR-Linac)
We propose to recruit a high-quality Allied Health Professional (AHP) research student to undertake a PhD within the overarching theme of high precision radiotherapy, with a focus on overcoming the challenges to selecting the most appropriate radiotherapy method to treat abdominal cancers, with a particular focus on the ability to mitigate the challenges associated with motion. The theme of this project will be cross-cutting over cancers that may benefit from radiotherapy using Magnetic Resonance-guided radiotherapy or proton beam treatment.
To safely and effectively implement sophisticated personalised radiotherapy requires greater patient setup accuracy with improved motion management and image guidance. Currently motion management strategies (e.g., active or voluntary breath-holds, the used of an integrated target volume, abdominal compression) are limited to the vendor-specific radiotherapy platform (including protons and photons) the patient is treated on. This PhD project will focus on the rapid translation of delivery of highly precise radiotherapy using our advanced RT platforms. In particular the student will evaluate the theoretical and practical impact of the application of each of the aforementioned motion management strategies independently of the treatment delivery platforms available at The Christie. Additionally, the student will evaluate the impact of new or emerging strategies such as the use of a mid-ventilation or mid-position treatment plan, and the use MRI-guided radiotherapy to develop feasibility data with a view to the development of clinical trials to measure local control and/or overall survival of the propose motion management strategy on each of the available radiotherapy delivery platforms.
Using the information generated through imaging studies and clinical trials, as well as existing/commercially available models of tumour control and normal tissue toxicity (e.g., modified lyman-kutcher NTCP), the student will investigate patient and population-based motion-management strategies leading to the development of clinical trials designed to improve patient outcomes in terms of overall survival and local control.
Entry Requirements
Candidates are required to be registered or eligible for registration as an allied health professional (AHP) with the Health and Carers Professions Council (HCPC), preferably as a radiographer.
For Non-Clinical Studentships, candidates must hold, or be about to obtain, a minimum upper second class (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. A related master’s degree would be an advantage.
Applications from all nationalities are welcome.
Funding Notes
This Project is funded by Cancer Research UK RadNet Manchester. This four year Studentship will cover an annual stipend (currently at £19,000 per annum), running expenses and PhD tuition fees at UK/EU rates. Where international student fees are payable, please provide evidence within your application of how the shortfall will be covered (approximately £19,000 per annum).
As an equal opportunities institution we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
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