PhD Position Game Theory of Cancer and Its Treatment

Join our team developing and combining new game theory, data science and control theory to help oncologic patients!   

Within the Dutch Research Council project “ANTICANCER: Game theory empowered by data science and control theory to improve treatment of metastatic cancer” we are looking for PhD candidates to join our team focusing on mathematical oncology to improve our understanding and treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.  

Within this PhD position, you will extend existing evolutionary game-theoretic models of cancer so that they can include multiple cancer cell types and multiple treatments. You will analyze properties of these models, such as evolutionary stability, with respect to different parameters, and design therapies that can maximize patient quantity and quality of life indepently of the model specifics, utilizing Stackelberg and evolutionary game theory and optimal control. You may be also validating the models with patient data, together with another PhD candidate within this project.

While this project is theoretical and requires strong mathematical basis, you will collaborate with a team of data scientists, cancer biologists and clinicians from different universities and medical centers, as the outcomes of this project should improve standard of care of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. 

• MSc degree in (applied) mathematics, mathematical control theory, operations research, ore related field
• Strong knowledge of evolutionary game theory, Stackelberg game theory, and/or optimal control in continuous time
• Ability to analyze both stability and dynamic properties of continuous dynamical systems
• Ability to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary team
• Interest in both developing new mathematical theory and its real-world applications
• Excellent command of English

Knowledge of numerical mathematics, data-driven modelling, and programming is a plus.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

With its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy, the Faculty of TPM makes an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. We combine insights from the engineering sciences, the social and the humanities. We develop robust models and designs, are internationally oriented and have an extensive network with knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Katerina Stankova, k.stankova@tudelft.nl    

For information about the application procedure, please contact Olivie Beek, recruitment-tbm@tudelft.nl     

If you are interested in this vacancy, please apply no later than 17 October 2022 via the application button. Please submit the following:

• Your CV;
• Motivation letter;
• Official list of all courses followed during your BSc and MSc studies with grades;
• Your MSc thesis;
• Names and contact details of 2 references who may be contacted in a later stage of the selection process.

Most suitable candidates will be invited for one or more online interviews in November 2022. This position is intended to start in January 2023. 

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Join our team developing and combining new game theory, data science and control theory to help oncologic patients!   

Within the Dutch Research Council project “ANTICANCER: Game theory empowered by data science and control theory to improve treatment of metastatic cancer” we are looking for PhD candidates to join our team focusing on mathematical oncology to improve our understanding and treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.  

Within this PhD position, you will extend existing evolutionary game-theoretic models of cancer so that they can include multiple cancer cell types and multiple treatments. You will analyze properties of these models, such as evolutionary stability, with respect to different parameters, and design therapies that can maximize patient quantity and quality of life indepently of the model specifics, utilizing Stackelberg and evolutionary game theory and optimal control. You may be also validating the models with patient data, together with another PhD candidate within this project.

While this project is theoretical and requires strong mathematical basis, you will collaborate with a team of data scientists, cancer biologists and clinicians from different universities and medical centers, as the outcomes of this project should improve standard of care of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. 

• MSc degree in (applied) mathematics, mathematical control theory, operations research, ore related field
• Strong knowledge of evolutionary game theory, Stackelberg game theory, and/or optimal control in continuous time
• Ability to analyze both stability and dynamic properties of continuous dynamical systems
• Ability to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary team
• Interest in both developing new mathematical theory and its real-world applications
• Excellent command of English

Knowledge of numerical mathematics, data-driven modelling, and programming is a plus.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

With its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy, the Faculty of TPM makes an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. We combine insights from the engineering sciences, the social and the humanities. We develop robust models and designs, are internationally oriented and have an extensive network with knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Katerina Stankova, k.stankova@tudelft.nl    

For information about the application procedure, please contact Olivie Beek, recruitment-tbm@tudelft.nl     

If you are interested in this vacancy, please apply no later than 17 October 2022 via the application button. Please submit the following:

• Your CV;
• Motivation letter;
• Official list of all courses followed during your BSc and MSc studies with grades;
• Your MSc thesis;
• Names and contact details of 2 references who may be contacted in a later stage of the selection process.

Most suitable candidates will be invited for one or more online interviews in November 2022. This position is intended to start in January 2023. 

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.