The Development and Validation of Dynamic Couch System for Real-Time Adaptive Radiotherapy on a General-Purpose Linear Accelerator PhD Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded National Industry PhD scholarship offered by UNSW Sydney. The project focuses on developing and validating a Dynamic Couch system that automatically compensates for patient movement during radiotherapy, enabling real-time adaptive treatment on conventional linear accelerators (linacs). The scholarship provides a tax-free stipend of approximately AUD 39,200 per year, including UNSW, industry, and National Industry PhD (NIPhD) top-up funding. The successful candidate will also join the Campus Plus National Industry PhD network for professional development and industry engagement.

About the Development and Validation of Dynamic Couch System for Real-Time Adaptive Radiotherapy on a General-Purpose Linear Accelerator PhD Scholarship

UNSW Sydney offers this scholarship through the Faculty of Medicine and Health in collaboration with the South Western Sydney Local Health District as part of the National Industry PhD Program. The project addresses one of the major challenges in modern radiotherapy: accurately targeting tumours despite patient movement caused by breathing and other physiological processes. More than half of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy, yet over 98% are treated using conventional linear accelerators that cannot automatically adapt to tumour movement during treatment.

The research aims to develop a Dynamic Couch system, an automated patient couch capable of moving in real time to compensate for tumour motion during radiation delivery. By continuously adjusting patient position, the system seeks to improve tumour targeting, reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissues, and minimise treatment-related toxicity. At the end of the project, the researchers aim to produce a prototype ready for clinical trials.

The successful candidate will work closely with clinicians, medical physicists, engineers, and industry partners to develop software-controlled tracking systems and validate the technology for future clinical use. The project combines biomedical engineering, medical physics, automation, embedded systems, and radiation oncology.

Why Choose The Development and Validation of Dynamic Couch System for Real-Time Adaptive Radiotherapy on a General-Purpose Linear Accelerator PhD Scholarship?

This scholarship offers the opportunity to conduct industry-focused research with direct clinical applications in cancer treatment.

You benefit from:

  • Fully funded National Industry PhD scholarship
  • Tax-free annual stipend of approximately AUD 39,200
  • Industry collaboration with South Western Sydney Local Health District
  • Participation in the Campus Plus National Industry PhD network
  • Access to advanced radiotherapy research facilities
  • Collaboration with clinicians, engineers, and medical physicists
  • Professional development and industry networking
  • Opportunities to improve cancer treatment for millions of patients

Graduates are well prepared for careers in:

  • Medical Physics
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical Device Development
  • Robotics and Automation
  • Healthcare Technology
  • Academic Research
  • Medical Imaging

Development and Validation of Dynamic Couch System for Real-Time Adaptive Radiotherapy on a General-Purpose Linear Accelerator PhD Scholarship Summary

  • Host Country: Australia
  • Host University: UNSW Sydney
  • Faculty: Medicine & Health
  • Scholarship Name: Development and Validation of Dynamic Couch System for Real-Time Adaptive Radiotherapy on a General-Purpose Linear Accelerator PhD Scholarship
  • Study Level: PhD
  • Scholarship Type: National Industry PhD Scholarship
  • Research Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Radiation Oncology, Automation
  • Industry Partner: South Western Sydney Local Health District
  • Study Mode: Full-Time
  • Scholarship Duration: In accordance with the National Industry PhD programme
  • Annual Stipend: Approximately AUD 39,200 (tax-free)
  • Funding includes: UNSW scholarship, industry top-up, and National Industry PhD top-up
  • Eligible Applicants: Domestic and International Students
  • Application Mode: Direct application to the project supervisor
  • Selection Basis: Academic excellence, technical skills, research experience, and project suitability

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship provides:

  • Approximately AUD 39,200 tax-free annual stipend
  • Combined funding from UNSW, industry, and the National Industry PhD programme
  • Membership in the Campus Plus National Industry PhD network
  • Industry mentoring and professional development
  • Access to advanced radiotherapy and medical physics research facilities
  • Collaboration with clinicians and healthcare professionals
  • Opportunities to develop technology with direct clinical impact

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Meet the admission requirements for a PhD at UNSW Sydney
  • Hold a Master’s degree or Honours degree in:
    • Science (Physics or Medical Physics), or
    • Engineering (Biomedical, Mechanical, or Software Engineering)
  • Demonstrate a strong background in software-controlled automated tracking systems
  • Have programming experience in Python, Arduino, or other embedded systems
  • Possess experience in linear actuator optimisation for real-time tracking systems
  • Know about medical equipment/software testing and process control
  • A background in Radiation Oncology, Medical Physics, and advanced clinical dosimetry is desirable
  • Show enthusiasm for developing patient-centred technologies
  • Be willing to complete the mandatory NSW Health onboarding requirements

Required Documents

Applicants should submit:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Academic transcripts
  • Statement addressing the selection criteria
  • Motivation statement explaining their interest in the project

Additional documents may be requested during the UNSW Higher Degree Research admission process.

Application Process & Timeline

Follow these steps:

  1. Review the project description and confirm that your academic background matches the research requirements.
  2. Prepare your CV, academic transcripts, motivation statement, and response to the selection criteria.
  3. Contact Associate Professor Sankar Arumugam to discuss your suitability for the project.
  4. Email your application documents directly to the project supervisor.
  5. If shortlisted, complete the formal UNSW Higher Degree Research admission process.
  6. Accept the scholarship offer and commence your National Industry PhD.

For project enquiries, applicants should contact Associate Professor Sankar Arumugam at [email protected].