Master thesis - Physics and algorithm development

RaySearch develops innovative software solutions to improve cancer care. Over 800 clinics in more than 40 countries use RaySearch software to improve treatments and quality of life for patients. RaySearch was founded in 2000 and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. The headquarters is located in Stockholm, with subsidiaries in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia & New Zealand. Today we are more than 380 employees with a common vision of improving cancer care with innovative software. Our great staff is crucial for our success and we offer a fantastic working environment in modern offices, flexibility and good opportunities for development. We believe in equal opportunities, value diversity and work actively to prevent discrimination.

Are you in the end of your studies within engineering physics, medical physics, computer science or similar and want to make an impact with technology in cancer treatment? RaySearch now offers three Master Thesis positions within physics and algorithm development, starting in January 2023.

“Doing my master thesis at RaySearch was a great opportunity to combine my interests in physics and programming while taking part in the fight against cancer. Since my first day here, I have been included in the teamwork and have always been able to ask questions.”

Miriam Skarin, Junior System Developer, Physics

We offer the following Master Thesis projects:

1. Radiotherapy optimization based on Monte Carlo simulations

Modern radiotherapy treatment planning for cancer patients is based on advanced physics algorithms for dose computation in combination with mathematical optimization methods to achieve the clinical goals of the treatment. Traditionally, dose computation has been based on analytical methods, which in general are designed to be fast at the expense of accuracy. With the recent advancements of GPU computing, RaySearch has been able to develop state-of-the-art Monte Carlo dose computations that combine high accuracy with unparalleled speed. However, most optimization methods are tailored for analytical dose engines and are not suitable for Monte Carlo dose computation that inherently contains noise. The current project aims at investigating new optimization algorithms that are less sensitive to noise to further advance Monte Carlo based treatment planning.

Contact person: Erik Engwall, Chief physicist (erik.engwall@raysearchlabs.com, +46 72 218 67 22)

2. Support for multi-ion radiotherapy treatments

Protons and carbon ions are widely used in radiotherapy for cancer patients, mainly due to their good physical properties and enhanced biological effect compared to photon radiation. However different ions have different characteristics, and if combined they can be used to create optimal dose distributions for very complicated tumor sites. This is known as multi-ion planning, and a clinical trial of radiotherapy with helium, carbon, oxygen and neon ions will start in 2023 in Japan. The purpose of this project is to add support for dose computation and optimization for additional ions in the RaySearch software, especially oxygen and neon, and the possibility to combine them within the same plan. The project involves understanding of physical processes, as well as programming in C++.

Contact person: Lars Glimelius, Senior Product Manager Light ions and Physics manager (lars.glimelius@raysearchlabs.com, +46 73 038 80 23)

3. Multi-criteria optimization for intensity-modulated proton therapy

RaySearch are pioneers within treatment planning for radiation therapy using multi-criteria optimization, where clinicians can explore the possible treatment options for a patient in real time. Multi-criteria optimization is well-established for photon therapy but not yet used extensively for proton therapy, which is an advanced form of radiation therapy with potentially lesser risk of side effects than photons. The purpose of this project is to adapt and enhance our multi-criteria optimization techniques to be better suited for proton therapy planning and to evaluate these enhancements with respect to emerging form of proton therapy planning, such as planning for proton arc therapy or linear-energy transfer guided optimization. The project will combine modeling of mathematical optimization problems with implementation of the models in our treatment planning software.

Contact person: Rasmus Bokrantz, Head of Algorithm development (rasmus.bokrantz@raysearchlabs.com, +46 70 573 39 25)

Starting your career at RaySearch

Joining RaySearch as a Master Thesis student, you will:

• … get a solid introduction to our company, products and ways of working.
• …become part of an innovative global Swedish company with head office and R&D department in central Stockholm with a chance of full-time employment after graduation.
• … join 200 well-educated and dedicated engineers who enjoy knowledge sharing, problem solving and working in teams.
• … work with cutting-edge technology for cancer treatment. Your daily work will contribute to improve cancer treatments for patients all over the world.

Who can apply?

Master students with a big interest in programming as well as physics or applied mathematics. The start of the thesis project is planned for January 2023.

You are a master student within physics, applied mathematics, computer science or similar. You have a great interest in software development and contributing to our mission. Programming skills, relevant hobby projects and summer/part time jobs within software development, mathematical or physics modeling are highly valued. In order to be able to contribute to this project, you are a self-motivated and structured person.

It’s an advantage, but not required, if you also have experience in C++ or C# development. When it comes to the project "Support for multi-ion radiotherapy treatments" it is important to have experience in at least one of the following if you do not have C++ experience: C, C#, Java.

Application

Please apply to the position through the application form below. Selection and interviews will be ongoing. In your application letter, please state which project(s) you are particularly interested in. We do not accept applications by e-mail, but if you have any questions about the master thesis projects please reach out to the contact persons for one of the master thesis projects.