Welcome to Maastricht University!
Join a team where cutting-edge biology and artificial intelligence come together to uncover a hidden subtype of prostate cancer that standard diagnostics cannot see. In this ZonMw-funded PhD project, you will help build AI imaging biomarkers that translate discoveries from mouse models to patients, with the ambition to personalize radiotherapy for thousands of men treated at MAASTRO and beyond. Working at the intersection of the Clinical Data Science group and the Radiotherapy Lab (Maastro Lab, UM), you will contribute to both fundamental insight into autophagy-deficient cancers and their real-world clinical impact.
PhD Candidate – Biology and AI Synergy for Personalized Therapy in Prostate Cancer
- Our goal: To combine advanced AI and radiomics with cutting-edge tumor biology to develop imaging biomarkers that can non-invasively identify autophagy-deficient prostate cancers and guide truly personalized radiotherapy. By joining this collaboration between the Clinical Data Science group and the Radiotherapy Lab, you will help translate discoveries from preclinical models into tools that improve treatment decisions for real patients.
- Your colleagues: Vibrant international team; structured training (Maastricht University Graduate School).
- Supervision & Environment: Dr. Petros Kalendralis (Medical Physics/AI, MAASTRO Clinical Data Science).
- Co-supervisors: Prof. André Dekker (Clinical Data Science), Prof. Kasper Rouschop (Radiotherapy, UM).
What you do
This project is a collaboration between the Clinical Data Science research group of MAASTRO and the MAASTRO Lab (Department of Radiotherapy, GROW – School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University). The Clinical Data Science group excels in AI/radiomics for precision radiotherapy, while the MAASTRO Lab pioneers tumor microenvironment research (hypoxia, autophagy, extracellular vesicles, tumor metabolism). The lab hosts 8 senior scientists, 6 technicians, 10+ PhDs/postdocs, and advanced facilities for cell/molecular biology, in vivo imaging and GROW resources (genome center, microscopy, animal facility).
Project: Biology & AI for Personalized Prostate Cancer Therapy (ZonMw-funded)
Autophagy-deficient cancers (ADC; ~30-40% of prostate cancers) lack functional autophagy due to gene deletions, showing unique phenotypes (no hypoxia, high necrosis) and potential radiotherapy vulnerabilities. This PhD focuses on developing AI-based imaging signatures to detect ADC non-invasively on preclinical (micro-CT/MRI) and clinical (CT/MRI) scans, enabling treatment stratification.
A biology PhD handles mechanisms. You lead AI/radiomics, with optional hands-on preclinical support for end-to-end ownership.
Your primary tasks will be:
- Develop/train AI models on preclinical micro-CT/MRI from ADC mouse models.
- Translate signatures to clinical CT/MRI
- Validate on large retrospective cohort and prospective data to predict outcomes
- Benchmark models ensure interpretability and clinical utility
- Publish in high-impact journals
Additionally, depending on your background and affinity you will:
- Support preclinical image acquisition and basic hands-on biology
- Obtain Art. 9 certification (2-3 week course; requires biology/biomedical MSc background or equivalent prior knowledge).
Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.
What you bring
We are looking for a new colleague with the following knowledge and background:
- MSc with focus on Biomedical Engineering, AI/ML, Computer Science, Physics, Bioinformatics, Electrical Engineering, or related.
- Strong Python experience with medical imaging/ML (radiomics).
- High affinity for image-driven AI signature building in oncology.
- Independent, motivated; excellent English (publications/presentations).
We would prefere it when you have:
- Biology/biomedical background or equivalent (to qualify for Art. 9 quickly).
- Willingness/affinity for animal experiments, cell culture, or in vivo imaging.
- Experience: DICOM/PyRadiomics, radiotherapy data, oncology workflows.
What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:
- A 12-month contract (1 FTE) with the prospect of a permanent position.
- A gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week).
- 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
- Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
- Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
- A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
- A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
- An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.
About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programmes and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well-being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.
Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Dr. Petros Kalendralis at petros.kalendralis@maastro.nl and Professor Kasper Rouschop kasper.rouschop@maastrichtuniversity.nl . The deadline for submitting your application is set to the June 1st 2026. The anticipated starting date for the PhD position is set between July 1st to September 1st.
Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!
About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.
The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.
At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.
Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.
