​Early neurocognitive outcomes and impact of radiotherapy using voxel-based analysis in patients treated with cranial irradiation for oligodendrogliom

Radiotherapy is a critical treatment for improving outcomes in patients with brain tumours. Radiotherapy can result in side effects, including changes in neurocognitive function, e.g. difficulties with memory and information processing. Such problems impact negatively on quality of life. Neurocognition is complex and involves multiple interconnected regions of the brain. The impact of radiotherapy dose on these networks has not been well described. Identification of areas within the brain that are particularly at risk of neurocognitive damage from radiotherapy could allow these areas to be spared from high radiotherapy doses in future patients.

<p paraeid="{96386d65-2dc5-48c4-99b2-37c377869bc2}{100}" paraid="959890680">The APPROACH (Analysis of Proton vs Photon Radiotherapy in Oligodendroglioma and Assessment of Cognitive Health) trial randomises patients with oligodendroglioma, a good prognosis brain tumour, between two different types of radiotherapy (standard photon radiotherapy and Proton Beam Therapy). The trial evaluates neurocognitive function before radiotherapy, one month after radiotherapy and then annually. This project will focus on the baseline and one-month neurocognitive outcomes for the whole group.  </p> <p paraeid="{96386d65-2dc5-48c4-99b2-37c377869bc2}{108}" paraid="86982395">Voxel based analysis (VBA) is a spatial data mining technique which is relatively novel in the field of radiotherapy.  VBA uses radiotherapy dose distributions, which describe the radiation dose deposition in each part of the brain for every included patient. By mapping the dose distribution of multiple patients to a template anatomy, the relationship between local doses and outcomes can be explored. This project will allow identification of brain sub-regions that are susceptible to neurocognitive dysfunction in relation to radiotherapy dose. </p> <p paraeid="{96386d65-2dc5-48c4-99b2-37c377869bc2}{118}" paraid="677301312">This exciting and novel project will include a systematic review of VBA use in irradiated brain tumour patients, an analysis of pre-treatment and one-month neurocognitive outcomes in APPROACH trial participants and the set up and performance of VBA based on one-month post-radiotherapy neurocognitive outcomes for patients treated in the APPROACH trial.  </p> <p paraeid="{e1b41b04-e6a6-4779-a5fd-63499d8e5abd}{44}" paraid="59847310">The candidate will join the Leeds Radiotherapy Research Group (<a href="https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-groups/956/the-radiotherapy-research-group" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-groups/956/the-radiotherapy-research-group</a>) and work with a team of experts in radiotherapy (Dr Louise Murray, Dr Bashar Al-Qaisieh, Dr Bethan Morris, Dr Matthew Beasley; all University of Leeds and/ or Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust), neurocognitive function (Dr Florien Boele; University of Leeds) and computer sceince (Dr Ping Lu, University of Leeds and Dr Eliana Vasquez Osorio, University of Manchester). This project sits within Theme 1 of our Cancer Research RadNet Leeds award, Personalised and Adaptive Radiotherapy (<a href="https://crukradnetleeds.co.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://crukradnetleeds.co.uk/</a>).  </p> <p paraeid="{e1b41b04-e6a6-4779-a5fd-63499d8e5abd}{120}" paraid="1530587342">Further details about the APPROACH trial can be found here: <a href="https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR131082" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR131082</a> </p> <p paraeid="{e1b41b04-e6a6-4779-a5fd-63499d8e5abd}{136}" paraid="139797073"><a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/2/e097810" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/2/e097810</a> </p> <p paraeid="{e1b41b04-e6a6-4779-a5fd-63499d8e5abd}{146}" paraid="1837489874">This project would be well suited to an individual with experience in neuroscience or an individual with experience in neuropsychology with additional advanced technical computer skills. </p>

<p paraeid="{82a95fc1-183d-4608-914f-a6a2e777afcb}{25}" paraid="1765956365">To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN.  </p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="24" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{82a95fc1-183d-4608-914f-a6a2e777afcb}{43}" paraid="717742420">For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’.  </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="24" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{82a95fc1-183d-4608-914f-a6a2e777afcb}{49}" paraid="1360797777">The admission year for this project is 2026/2027 Academic Year.  </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="24" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{82a95fc1-183d-4608-914f-a6a2e777afcb}{59}" paraid="1058055228">You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘PhD in Medicine LIMR Full-time’.  </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="24" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{82a95fc1-183d-4608-914f-a6a2e777afcb}{79}" paraid="2088329048">The latest project start date for this project is 1st April 2027, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research.  </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="24" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{82a95fc1-183d-4608-914f-a6a2e777afcb}{97}" paraid="1464578840">Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is ​‘Early neurocognitive outcomes and impact of radiotherapy dose using voxel-based analysis in patients treated with cranial irradiation for oligodendroglioma’​ as well as Dr Louise Murray (<a href="https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/staff/2662/dr-louise-murray" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/staff/2662/dr-louise-murray</a>) as your proposed supervisor. </p> </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{82a95fc1-183d-4608-914f-a6a2e777afcb}{97}" paraid="1464578840">You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.  </p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Medicine is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each of the other components (reading, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course to be valid.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p paraeid="{9bb62950-7593-4352-ac38-5e3860ece71c}{42}" paraid="1272731056">We are offering a fully funded scholarship to study the project, at the School of Medicine, University of Leeds for one UK status candidate. The funding covers UK tuition fees as well as a UKRI matched maintenance stipend (currently £21,805 in 2026/27) per year, for four years, subject to satisfactory progress. </p> <p paraeid="{9bb62950-7593-4352-ac38-5e3860ece71c}{86}" paraid="83317588">Eligibility Criteria  </p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{9bb62950-7593-4352-ac38-5e3860ece71c}{96}" paraid="1245490102">Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate. </p> </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{9bb62950-7593-4352-ac38-5e3860ece71c}{102}" paraid="1330279220">If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">fee assessment page</a>. </p>

<p>For further information please contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions Team by emailing HLSPGRadmissions@leeds.ac.uk or Dr Louise Murray L.J.Murray@leeds.ac.uk</p>