We announce a three-year full-time PhD project with tentative start 1st September 2024. The title of the project is: “Advancement in Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma: Improving Patient Outcome and Tumor Cure”

In this study, we establish the advancement of surgical strategies for pituitary adenoma by improving surgical technique and cooperation between surgeons and by implementing novel ICG technologies in this field. The following challenges will be addressed:

1.)    Improving the surgical resection rates for non-functional pituitary adenoma
2.)    Improving the intra-operative differentiation between functional pituitary adenoma and normal gland by use of ICG technology.
3.)    Reduction of surgical complication rates, especially hypopituitarism and CSF leak.
4.)    Increasing the cure rates for functional pituitary adenoma through more precise tumor identification and resection.

In this study the efficacy of surgery (i.e. the percentage of gross total resection in relation to complication rates) will be thoroughly assessed in 3 different periods. The baseline period is the state-of-the-art treatment in the years 2017 to 2019. Period 1 (2019-2022) is the period after introduction of a surgical bundle of changes (i.e. 2 experienced surgeons, working as a team with 4 hands in the operative field, giving continuous feedback and debriefing after the case). Period 2 (2022-2024) is the period after introduction of fluorescence guided surgery with ICG.

• Gross total resection (GTR) will be assessed by postoperative MRI and compared for all 3 periods.
• Endocrinologic cure is assessed at 3-month follow-up in case of functional pituitary adenoma and compared for the 3 periods.
• The most common complications (i.e. diabetes insipidus, CSF leak, hypopituitarism) are compared.

The safety (total of major complications) for baseline, period 1 and period 2 will be assessed and compared.
The relevant clinical data have already been collected retrospectively in a clinical database from 2017 to 2021 and data have been prospectively collected since then. The PhD student will work closely together with a team of neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, neuro-pathologists and neuro-radiologists. The main work responsibilities will include imaging analysis, database management, ICG data review and analysis. Thorough supervision and teaching of methodology will be applied. The PhD student will also be welcome to attend the relevant neurosurgical procedures.

The application must contain:
 - Cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
 - Curriculum vitae
 - List of references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, phone)

Oslo University Hospital is a workplace with great diversity. We belive this is essensial to perform the tasks required of us. Therefore, we pursue diversity among our job applicants and encouarge everyone to apply regardless of who you are and what background you have. 
 

Kvalifikasjoner:

• Medical degree
• Excellent English and Norwegian language skills
• Some experiance in scientic methods and writing

Personlige egenskaper:

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• High level of motivation and accuracy
• Good communication skills and problem solving

Vi tilbyr:

• Full PhD salary for the project
• Attractive and integrative clinical team environment
• Meticulous supervision according to yuor needs
• Clinical PhD project with learning arenas in neuroradiology, endocrinology and neurosurgery