Ph.D. position in Drug Discovery with Explainable Artificial Intelligence

University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech

Updated: 3 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 30 Mar 2024

8 Feb 2024
Job Information
Organisation/Company

University of Chemistry and Technology Prague
Department

Department of Informatics and Chemistry
Research Field

Chemistry » Computational chemistry
Computer science » Programming
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country

Czech Republic
Application Deadline

30 Mar 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Prague)
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Hours Per Week

40
Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The PhD position in Drug Discovery with Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) represents a cutting-edge research opportunity aimed at revolutionizing the way we understand and utilize AI in the realm of pharmaceutical development. This project seeks a highly motivated candidate who is passionate about merging the domains of artificial intelligence, computational and medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology to address one of the most critical challenges in drug discovery: making the complex decision-making processes of AI models transparent, understandable, and, ultimately, more reliable.

The successful candidate will embark on a journey to develop innovative methodologies that not only illuminate the "black box" of AI algorithms used in drug design but also enhance the interpretability and trustworthiness of these models. By integrating XAI approaches with state-of-the-art drug design algorithms, the project aims to create a new generation of predictive models. These models will not only be capable of identifying promising drug candidates with higher precision but will also provide insights into why certain compounds are predicted to be effective, thereby enabling more informed decision-making throughout the drug development process.

A significant portion of the research will be dedicated to the practical application of these methodologies. This involves not only the theoretical underpinnings of XAI but also hands-on work with cheminformatics and data analysis tools. Moreover, the project aspires to contribute to the broader field of pharmaceutical sciences by publishing findings in high-impact journals and presenting at international conferences. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between advanced AI techniques and real-world drug development, paving the way for a new era of efficient, transparent, and informed pharmaceutical research.

This PhD position is ideal for candidates who have a background in chemistry, artificial intelligence, or computational biology/chemistry, along with a keen interest in drug discovery and a commitment to advancing the field of explainable AI in pharmaceutical research.


Requirements
Research Field
Chemistry » Computational chemistry
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field
Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field
Computer science » Programming
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications
  • Motivation to perform excellent research, become part of the world's research communities in your field, and publish in first-tier scientific conferences and journals
  • M.Sc. in chemistry, chemoinformatics, bioinformatics, computer science or related fields
  • Python programming skills and experience in software development
  • Knowledge of statistical data analysis and machine learning approaches
  • Basic organic or medicinal chemistry knowledge is a plus
  • Professional proficiency in spoken/written English (knowledge of the Czech language is not required).

Specific Requirements

Experience with AI frameworks & Python scientific computation packages such as PyTorch, Tensorflow, Keras, and NumPy is a big plus.


Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent

Additional Information
Benefits
  • An appointment for 4 years
  • Full waiver of tuition fees 
  • Net compensation of about 1,500 EUR monthly (includes salary and student stipends); check the Numbeo database  for the cost of living in Prague
  • Full social and health insurance
  • 30 days of paid annual leave
  • An informal and inclusive international working environment at the Department of Informatics and Chemistry , University of Chemistry and Technology Prague
  • Highly developed beer culture at the Department
  • Relocation assistance via the EURAXESS Czech Republic  office

Selection process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to Prof. Daniel Svozil via his e-mail [email protected]

The application package should contain:

  • Motivation letter (up to two pages) stating personal goals and research interests,
  • Academic curriculum vitae, including descriptions of previous projects you have worked on and/or a list of publications and files of the most important publications, when applicable,
  • Contact details for two to three referees who could support your application,
  • Date of your M.Sc. degree award or the expected date of your M.Sc. thesis defense.

Website for additional job details

https://phd.vscht.cz/prospective-students/study-programmes-and-phd-topics
http://studuj.bioinformatiku.cz/studium/doktorske/

Work Location(s)
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
University of Chemistry and Technology
Country
Czech Republic
City
Prague
Postal Code
CZ 166 28
Street
Technická 5

Where to apply
E-mail

[email protected]

Contact
City

Prague 6
Website

https://lich.vscht.cz/cheminf?jazyk=en
Street

Technická 5
Postal Code

CZ 166 28
Mobile Phone

+420777319993

STATUS: EXPIRED

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