MRI Medical Physicist

Job description

The colleague that we are looking for will have many opportunities on key responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to innovative research in biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT), with a focus on quantitative MRI imaging, but also to use advanced MRI techniques to accelerate imaging and obtain robust acquisitions in the presence of moving anatomy.
• Drive the development and clinical translation of novel MRI biomarkers to personalize radiotherapy treatments.
• Utilize and help advance the capabilities of the Unity MR Linac as a pivotal platform for integrated MR imaging and treatment.
• Collaborate with and lead multidisciplinary teams—clinicians, physicists, radiobiologists—to integrate and implement advanced MRI techniques into radiotherapy workflows.
• Be responsible for the MR imaging quality assurance program at the MR Linac.
• Provide expert guidance, training, and monitoring of the use and optimization of MRI technology within a radiotherapy context.
• Secure research funding and contribute to high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Mentor junior researchers, PhD students, physicists, and fellows within the department.
• Participate in academic activities and represent the department in national and international collaborations and initiatives.
• Build a new group and (co-)determine the course of research in MRI for the department.

Organization

The University Medical Center Groningen is one of the largest university hospitals and the first center in the Netherlands with an integrated state-of-the-art photon and proton radiation oncology department. Currently, radiotherapy treatments are provided for over 4,500 patients annually in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Our vision is to provide the best possible care for the benefit of our patients. Development and availability of the most advanced treatment techniques and procedures is an integral part of this vision, including AI-based image processing, adaptive treatments, model-based treatment optimisation, and close collaboration with pre-clinical radiobiology research in our dedicated Particle Therapy Research Center (PARTREC). We also have a good collaboration with the Department of Radiology and the Center for Medical Imaging (CMI-NEN).

A logical next step for our department is the introduction of a Unity MR Linac which will be available early 2026. We now seek a new colleague to fulfill a central role in our ambitious research agenda in biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT), with a specific focus on the development of novel MR biomarkers and the advancement of quantitative MRI techniques. The succesful candidate will play a key role in leveraging our state-of-the-art Unity MR Linac system to integrate cutting-edge imaging into personalized radiotherapy treatments. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of precision radiation oncology in a dynamic, multidisciplinary academic environment.Within the Department of Radiation Oncology the team of Medical Physics and Instrumentation (approx. 70 colleagues) is responsible for innovation and quality control of treatment (planning) methods and technologies. The Medical Physics and Instrumentation team includes (computational) medical physicists and residents, AI experts, medical physics assistants, IT engineers, LINAC engineers, PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.

What do we need?

• PhD or MD/PhD in medical physics, biomedical engineering, radiology, technical medicine, computational physics, or a related field.
• A Dutch or equivalent registration as medical physicist is a pre. Also residents in training for medical physicists and non-medical physicists are welcome to react.
• Proven expertise in MRI, including hands-on experience with quantitative MRI methods.
• Preference for experience with Philips MRI systems and/or Unity MR Linac technology but not required.
• Expertise in MR sequence programming is required, preferably for Philips MRI.
• Track record in developing or applying MR biomarkers in oncology or radiotherapy research
• Solid understanding of image-guided treatment strategies
• Strong publication record and evidence of independent research leadership.
• Experience securing research grants and managing scientific projects is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills (preferably English and Dutch) and a collaborative mindset in multidisciplinary academic environments.
• Commitment to teaching, mentoring, and contributing to the academic mission of the department.

What do we offer

• A contract as Medical Physicist / MRI Physicist (0.9 – 1.0 FTE) for one year, which can become permanent after a positive evaluation.
• A faculty appointment is available for eligible candidates.
• Your salary is dependent on education and relevant experience and can be up to € 8.747 (full time) gross per month UMC scale 14 for a senior Medical Physicist (13 for a Medical Physicst, 12 for an Academic Physicist).
• In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

For more information about this vacancy you may contact:

• dr. Wouter van den Wollenberg - Simonyan, Medical Physicist, phone number : +31 50 361 3674 (secretariat), [email protected] (please do not use for applications);
• Prof. Dr. Stefan Both, Head of Medical Physics and Instrumentation, phone number: +31 50 361 3674 (secretariat), [email protected] (please do not use for applications).

For questions about the position

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