Clinical/Research Fellowship in Oncologic Imaging

Institut du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier/France

The Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM) in the south of France focuses on patient-centered cancer care and has shaped every aspect of the Department of Radiology at ICM including staffing, imaging equipment, organizational structure and beyond. The team of the Department of Radiology includes experts in various subspecialties of oncologic imaging including body imaging, breast imaging and MSK using state-of-the-art imaging equipment including CT scanners and MRI. Clinical imaging has a special focus on gynecological malignances, peritoneal carcinomatosis, pancreatic cancers, sarcomas and rectal cancers. The strong collaboration between the clinical departments (radiation oncology, surgery and oncology), the Pathology department and the department of Radiology allows optimal patient management and fruitful research. The recent arrival of MRIdian in the radiation oncology department has improved the collaboration between the radiology and the radiation oncology departments. A research lab on imaging biomarkers using an MRI 9.4T and a dedicated PETCT for small animals favours translational research.

Number of available places

During 2023/2024 one place will be available for a recently board-certified European radiologist, who is a full member of ESR.

Eligibility

1. This exchange programme applies to European radiologists within the first three years after certification.
2. The candidate should wish to become a fellow or subspecialise in oncologic imaging.
   
3. The applicant should be highly motivated and have a track record of research in image analysis in human/ animal projects.
4. The candidate must have advanced knowledge of the English language. The knowledge of the French language is of advantage, but no pre-requisite.
5. The successful candidate will have to make himself/herself available for an interview via Skype/Zoom/phone.
6. The ESR membership fee for 2023 must be settled.

Please note that each candidate can only apply for one ESOR fellowship programme and one of the available topics at once.

Duration and funding

Programme structure

The successful candidate will be able to participate in various funded research projects on imaging mainly to assess tumor response. Possibilities offered focuse on gynecological malignances, peritoneal carcinomatosis, pancreatic cancers, sarcomas and rectal cancers. Large databases are available at ICM for clinical studies. Imaging datasets will be collected and analyzed within the operational framework of several ongoing imaging projects. Besides clinical studies, the research lab including currently two PhD, one post Doc and 2 master students will offer the possibility to perform in vitro/animals studies on ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer on a 9.4T magnet with recent implantation of CEST technique (Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer). Translational research will include collaboration with research scientists from Cytof team (Mass Cytometry), Translational Research Unit (URT) focusing on proteomic and Bioinfomatic for big data extraction and radiomics analysis.

The program can be solely dedicated to research or split with clinical activities. The fellow will be able to rotate through MRI and CT, to review and to interpret images. Attendance to multidisciplinary tumor board will be strongly encouraged.

Certification