Physician-Researcher/Clinical OIO Organ-Preserving Therapy Rectal Cancer - “BOOST-OP study”

Do you want to contribute to better treatments for patients with rectal cancer through scientific research? And do you want to conduct research that has the potential to truly change daily care? During this full-time PhD trajectory, you will get the chance to delve into advanced MRI-guided radiotherapy.

There is an increasing demand from patients with rectal cancer for organ-preserving treatment, with the aim of avoiding surgery and the chance of a stoma. Such a treatment plan often consists of chemoradiotherapy. The BOOST-OP study investigates whether increasing the radiation dose targeted at the tumor, a so-called "boost", during chemoradiotherapy can increase the chance of successful organ preservation. This boost is administered using so-called MRI-guided, online-adaptive radiotherapy: a technique in which current MRI images are taken just before every treatment and the radiation plan is immediately adjusted to the position of the tumor and surrounding organs. This allows the tumor to receive a higher dose very precisely, while damage to healthy tissue is limited. The KWF-subsidized research is innovative because it uses advanced MRI-guided radiotherapy to safely apply dose escalation to the tumor.

You will work within our rectum team, where you will become the national study coordinator of the BOOST-OP study, the so-called linchpin who will set up and implement this study. You will be involved in, among other things:

• Writing the protocol and delving into the boost technique;

• Maintaining contacts with all participating centers and checking the data.

Additionally, you will naturally be available for questions from patients and, if necessary, arrange the logistics for them. The location of this research position is the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, but work visits to all participating study centers will also take place.

At the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, we all commit to the same goal: the best care for every patient and every type of cancer. That is no small feat. But not impossible. Here, science and care work together on innovation. Time and again, we find new ways that help people with cancer worldwide. Here we save lives, we win time and quality.

We are looking for a driven physician-researcher for a full-time PhD trajectory within the BOOST-OP study. You will work in the departments of Oncological Surgery and Radiotherapy, which work together intensively within this project. Because it concerns a national study in which multiple centers participate, good communication skills and flexibility are essential.
Additionally, you recognize yourself in the following profile:

• You are a medical doctor and have an affinity with scientific research;

• You can work well independently and take responsibility for your activities;

• You possess good social and communication skills and enjoy working together with different disciplines and research teams;

• You are flexible and know how to handle the dynamics of a national study;

• You are fluent in the Dutch language, both spoken and written.

The basis for your terms of employment is in accordance with the Cao Ziekenhuizen (Collective Labour Agreement for Hospitals). You will receive from us:

• A 3-year contract for 36 hours per week;

• A gross monthly salary between € 4,346 and € 4,914, based on a 36-hour work week, appropriate to the clinical OIO scale and depending on your experience;

• 144 vacation hours and 57 hours of Personal Life Stage Budget, based on full-time employment;

• An annual 8.33% holiday allowance and a fixed year-end bonus of 8.33%;

• A travel allowance of € 0.23 per km;

• Free parking at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, but with our bicycle scheme and discounts on public transport, we also make it attractive for you to leave the car behind;

• A great opportunity in a specialized hospital where you can also continue to learn and grow if you wish: the AVL Academy offers innovative and inspiring education in the field of oncological expertise, skills, and personal development;

• Opportunities to exercise at our Fit Boutiqs;

• An active staff association and Young AVL: associations that organize sporting, cultural, and creative activities and events;

• An employer contribution of 50% towards your pension at Pensioenfonds Zorg & Welzijn and collective discounts with health insurers IZZ, Zorg en Zekerheid, and Zilveren Kruis.

We are curious about your talent. Will you make the difference in the world of cancer? Apply quickly via the application button!

This vacancy is open until Thursday, November 13th.
For more information about the position, you can contact dr. Brechtje Grotenhuis, oncological surgeon, via (b.grotenhuis@nki.nl) or dr. Alice Couwenberg, Radiotherapist, via (a.couwenberg@nki.nl).
For questions about the application procedure, you can contact Pascal van Kippersluis, Recruiter, via p.v.kippersluis@nki.nl.

A reference check is part of the application procedure. Candidates with whom we enter into a conversation will be asked to provide references.

Recruitment agencies are not appreciated in response to this vacancy.