PhD Position: improve patient outcome in adhesive small bowel obstruction

Join our multidisciplinary research group and gain insight in the impact of different treatment modalities in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction. Become part of the colorectal research group within the department of abdominal surgery at UZ Leuven. This innovative research group performs over 1000 procedures per year and is renowned for its knowledge on minimally invasive surgical techniques. As PhD researcher, you will contribute to the expansion of knowledge regarding adhesive small bowel obstruction and have a real impact on patient care and outcomes.
You will work under the guidance of prof. Dr. Albert Wolthuis, who is a staff member (clinical head) at the department of Abdominal Surgery since 2011. He has a special interest in minimally invasive colorectal surgery (NOSE, CME), IBD, transanal approaches (TaTME, TAMIS, Ta-IPAA), reoperative (pelvic) surgery, debulking and HIPEC. He is associate professor and takes part in the international consortium to perform the AWARE trial (Elective Adhesiolysis vs. a Wait-and-see Policy to Prevent Recurrences after Conservative Treatment of Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction).

Project

The project will focus on the treatment of patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (aSBO). You will gain insight in the best treatment modalities, build a model to predict outcomes and develop a scoring system. Moreover, you will be working in an international collaboration with Radboud University Nijmegen during for the AWARE trial. During this project, the aim is to investigate the efficacy of elective adhesiolysis following conservative treatment for aSBO as compared to the current state of the art (wait-and-see policy) to prevent long-term recurrence of aSBO.

Profile

• You hold a Master's degree, preferably in Medicine or Biomedical Sciences with an interest in abdominal surgery.
• You are highly interested in scientific research and motivated to pursue a PhD, reflected by a good study curriculum.
• You are a social person who enjoys working with a team of researchers and have an affinity with healthcare. 
• You are proactive, and dare to the initiative to help shape your PhD trajectory. You have a high sense of responsibility, are a team player, can work independently and accept constructive criticism.
• Good communication skills in Dutch and English

Offer

• A full-time one-year contract as a PhD student, renewable for three more years provided PhD milestones are being met.
• Innovative and international environment: join our innovative research team and be part of knowledge building on an international level.
• Engage with a broad national and international network of experts.
• Learn essential research skills.
• Enjoy standard conditions at KU Leuven, including state-of-the-art research facilities, training opportunities, social and health benefits.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Albert Wolthuis, tel.: +32 16 37 39 23, mail: albert.wolthuis@kuleuven.be or Mrs. Ellen Coeckelberghs, tel.: +32 16 37 65 73, mail: ellen.coeckelberghs@kuleuven.be.

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