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PhD Position in Radiobiological Modelling in Radiotherapy for MSCA-DN “MS-RADAM”
WO | 36 hours a week | Salary: €3.108 - €3.939
Closing date: April 15, 2026
About MS-RADAM
MS-RADAM (“MultiScale phenomena in RAdiation DAMage”) is a European Doctoral Network project funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme. The project brings together leading academic and industrial partners from eight European countries (Germany, France, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark and Georgia) to train a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers.
MS-RADAM aims to advance the understanding of key radiation-induced biodamage phenomena at the nano- and larger scales, with applications in particle therapy, radiotherapy, and radioprotection. These include the formation of DNA strand breaks by ionising radiation, DNA repair, radiosensitisation by metal nanoparticles, cell survival and radioresistance.
The MS-RADAM research programme combines state-of-the-art computational multiscale modelling (using DFT/TDDFT methods, collision theory, molecular dynamics, stochastic dynamics, Monte Carlo and analytical methods) and its thorough validation using advanced experimental techniques (such as mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, radiochemistry and radiobiology experiments with biomolecular and biological systems such as oligonucleotides, DNA origami, radiosensitising nanoparticles, living cells and multicellular targets).
MS-RADAM invites applications for a 36-month, full-time, fixed-term position as a Doctoral Candidate (DC). The successful candidate will be employed by the University Medical Center Groningen in Groningen, the Netherlands, and enrolled in its PhD programme. The initial 36-month appointment funded by the MS-RADAM DN project is expected to be followed by an additional 12-month, full time, fixed-term appointment to complete the 48-month PhD program in the Netherlands. University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands, integrating patient care, education, and research within a top 100 university environment, with a strong strategic focus on advanced radiotherapy and proton therapy. PARTREC is UMCG’s dedicated particle therapy research center, combining state-of-the-art accelerator infrastructure and preclinical irradiation platforms to conduct multidisciplinary research in particle radiation physics, biology, and translational proton therapy.
About project “Exploration of multiscale RADAM models”
This interdisciplinary research project, entitled “Exploration of multiscale RADAM models”, will focus on the computational modelling of radiation-induced damage (RADAM) processes across different scales, DNA-level damage to cellular and multicellular responses following proton and heavier-ion irradiation.
The Doctoral Candidate will develop and apply computational representations of multicellular systems, integrating relevant geometrical and functional information, and will implement and couple radiobiological models describing radiation transport, radiation-induced DNA damage and repair, and cellular responses across scales. Model predictions will be validated against theoretical and experimental results obtained at PARTREC and through close collaboration with other partners within the MS-RADAM network.
A key objective of the project is to identify and translate relevant physical dosimetric parameters into biologically meaningful endpoints at the multicellular level, with applications in advanced radiotherapy concepts such as biology-guided particle therapy, FLASH radiotherapy, and spatially fractionated radiotherapy.
The work will rely on a combination of computational modelling approaches, including Monte Carlo simulations of radiation transport and radiobiological processes, and will be integrated with other modelling frameworks developed within the MS-RADAM project. The Doctoral Candidate will be involved in ion-irradiation experiments at PARTREC, contributing to the comparison and validation of multiscale modelling outcomes against experimental data generated within the MS-RADAM network.
In addition to specialised scientific training, the position offers extensive international mobility, secondments to partner organisations, and training in transferable skills such as research management, communication, and career development. Secondments are planned at RaySearch Laboratories AB and MBN Research Center.
Requirements
Skills/Qualifications
Candidates must:
- hold a University Master’s Degree in applied physics, medical physics, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, systems biology or a related field.
- be available to start on 01.07.2026
- have excellent English language skills (both spoken and written)
- be able to travel internationally on a regular basis, e.g. to attend regular project meetings, conferences and training activities
- be able to work in an international environment, be highly motivated and reliable, be able to meet strict deadlines
Candidates should have a strong background in computational modelling and programming, a demonstrated interest in multidisciplinary research at the interface of physics and biology, and an understanding of fundamental radiobiological principles.
Specific Requirements
To be eligible for this position, candidates must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: you must NOT have lived or worked in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date (01.07.2026).
How to apply
Please send the following documents as a single PDF file to r.ortiz.catalan@umcg.nl before 15 April 2026:
- your full CV
- a copy of the most recent diploma (Master’s or equivalent)
- a copy of your marks and grades
- a letter of motivation
- two letters of recommendation
Please include “MS-RADAM DC13 Application” in the email subject line. In the email, please also include the following clause: 'I consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes of this recruitment process in accordance with the EU GDPR'.
Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.
Additional information
Benefits
Annual Salary: within the range of the EU MSCA Doctoral Network programs. Monthly Mobility Supplement and Monthly Family Allowance (if eligible): according to the MSCA Doctoral Network programme rules.
The salary will be €3,108 gross per month in the first year and will increase up to a maximum of €3,939 gross per month in the fourth year (PhD scale as of 1 July 2025). In addition, UMCG offers an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for University Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).
Eligibility criteria
- The candidate must not have already earned a doctoral degree.
- At the time of recruitment, the candidate must not have lived or conducted their main activities (work, study, etc.) in the country of recruitment for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the recruitment date/start date of the activities.
- The candidate must meet ALL admission requirements for the PhD program at the University Medical Center Groningen. These requirements must be fulfilled at the start of the contract.
- Candidates of all nationalities and genders are welcome to apply.
- In line with MSCA requirements, candidates must be willing to undertake international mobility (four months) during the project implementation. This is a mandatory requirement.
Selection process
The selection process will consist of the following steps:
- Initial screening by the future supervisor and the host organisation team based on submitted documents.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview.
- Final selection determined through the interview process.
Evaluation criteria
- The candidate’s CV and profile
- Graduation marks
- Relevance of the MSc thesis and other scientific outputs
- Prior work experience
- Candidate’s motivation
Relevant links
https://www.mbnresearch.com/MS-RADAM/DC-research-projects