Job offer: Research Assistant at DFG-funded project “Faraday Cup Dosimetry for spot scanning proton therapy”

Job offer: Research Assistant at DFG-funded project “Faraday Cup Dosimetry for spot scanning proton therapy”

Apply now!

We are seeking a PhD candidate in the field of computational medical physics (75%, TV-L E13, 3 years) to join our DFG-funded research project “Dosimetry with a Faraday cup for pencil beam scanning proton therapy”

from 1 January 2027

The project aims to develop and further improve methods for the absolute dosimetry of proton fields. Particular emphasis is placed on Faraday cup-based dosimetry, which enables the measurement of the number of protons delivered by individual beam spots in a pencil beam scanning system. The research combines fundamental questions in proton dosimetry with application-oriented aspects of clinical dosimetry.

Specifically, the project will involve the design and characterization of dosimetry sensors and their readout electronics, Monte Carlo simulations, and experimental investigations with proton beams. Building on an approach recently developed by the research group, the project aims to further improve the accuracy and robustness of Faraday cup-based dosimetry while keeping hardware requirements comparatively low. The opportunity to pursue a doctorate is offered. The doctorate is embedded in medical and medical physics research at the WPE and in the regional research landscape of the Ruhr universities, in particular the DFG-funded research training group GRK 3043 – AMTEC-PRO – Advanced Methods and Technologies for Proton Therapy.

Apply now!

West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen

Am Mühlenbach 1, 45147 Essen

Job Scope: 75 Percent

Start: 01.01.2027

Duration: 36 Month

Salary Grade: TV-Länder EG 13

Working at the University Medical Centre Essen

As a maximum-care university hospital with a capacity of around 1,300 beds, we treat 225,000 patients a year with over 6,000 employees in 26 clinics, 23 institutes and specialist centres. Our hospital offers medical care, state-of-the-art diagnostics and comprehensive treatment to the highest international standards. In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of research and teaching services at an internationally competitive level.

Working in the heart of the Ruhr region

In Essen, in the heart of the Ruhr region and the green capital of Europe in 2017, the WPEs Particle Therapy Clinic offers a challenging field of work in the application of state-of-the-art proton therapy for the effective yet particularly gentle treatment of tumor diseases. Since 2013, the WPE has been successfully treating outpatients with CNS tumors, head and neck tumors, sarcomas, prostate carcinomas and childhood tumors with proton therapy. Since its opening, the WPE has acquired an excellent reputation recognized worldwide. Numerous collaborations at national and international level are proof of the high therapeutic and scientific standard of our work. The result: our patients come to us in Essen not only from all over Germany, but also from many other European and non-European countries. That is why we are looking for you to join our team.

Working at WPE

At our West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), under the direction of Prof. Beate Timmermann, we offer state-of-the-art radiation therapy for tumor diseases using protons. The centerpiece of the facility is a 230 MeV cyclotron. The four treatment rooms contain three gantries that can be rotated through 360 degrees and a fixed-beam room with 2 fixed beam lines. Each of the rotating gantries weighs approximately 120 tons and