Assistant Professors of applied AI and Data Science with focus on clinical machine learning

To support our advancements in clinical artificial intelligence (AI) at Odense University Hospital (OUH) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Centre for Clinical Artificial Intelligence (CAI-X) in Odense seeks two technical Assistant Professors that in a tenure track position can help bring AI into more clinical specialties and to unleash its potential together with clinicians and patients.

Artificial Intelligence is a game changer for the healthcare sector. It radically transforms the way clinicians work and the results we achieve towards delivering innovative data-driven solutions for the patients. The area is of high priority in the Region of Southern Denmark where efforts have been made in developing an AI Taskforce pinpointing challenges and opportunities to support this area moving forward. Further, we see rising attention and support for AI, nationally and internationally, especially regarding securing efficient data infrastructures as well as channeling financial support for clinical AI solutions in hospitals.

Research and organizational environment

At the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), the candidates will join the research group of Applied AI & Data Science (AID) at the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, The Faculty of Engineering and will be affiliated with the Department of Clinical Research. Jointly, these research environments will provide the foundations for accelerating AI in health care representing expertise in artificial intelligence, statistical machine learning, and data science by developing methods for data-driven solutions in the healthcare sector and in clinical research activities spanning across all health specialties.

Centre for Clinical Artificial Intelligence (CAI-X) is a research and innovation unit established in 2020 as a joint collaboration between SDU and OUH. The mission of CAI-X is to improve quality in healthcare through intelligent use of data and technology, and to ensure implementation of artificial intelligence solutions to benefit both patients and clinical staff. The center has established a framework that supports efficient and fruitful cooperation between clinical staff, researchers, engineers, and businesses both nationally and internationally with more than 30 ongoing projects in 20 different clinical areas.   

Your physical place of work will be in Odense located at both OUH and SDU. CAI-X is located at the Department of Clinical Development, Innovation & HTA at OUH, which also covers two additional Research and Innovation centers namely Centre for Innovative Medical Technology (CIMT) and the Centre for Clinical Robotics (CCR). Across the centers, we have a strong team of dedicated and experienced project managers that run and facilitate our activities and projects. As a technical Assistant Professor, you will find yourself as part of the team of Applied AI and Data Science, Department of Clinical Development, and CAI-X, consisting of Head of Technical Research Professor Esmaeil S. Nadimi and Programme Manager Peter Børker Nielsen. The position as Head of Health Research will be filled during 2022.

Qualifications

We invite motivated candidates with interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning to apply. We will specifically look for candidates with documented track-record in conducting relevant technical research in the area of health care. The preferred candidate holds a Ph.D. Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Mathematics or related areas and will be able to contribute to the development of a strong AI research environment at both SDU and OUH. The candidate must be fluent in English and/or Danish. If English or Danish is not you first language, applicants must document their language proficiency level when applying.

The candidates we seek for the positions will be jointly employed between SDU and OUH for a 3-year period. We believe in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment, so the position comes with the possibility of extension as Associate Professors. The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

The successful applicant will join a new dynamic research team and will be introduced and included in teaching activities, research projects, fundraising and collaborations to explore the synergy between clinical and technical researchers, health professionals and consultants at both SDU and OUH. 

Responsibilities

Your primary responsibility is to utilize and leverage the broad technical clinical research and to support the long-term vision of CAI-X being a world-leading center in the field of clinical artificial intelligence. This follows the research strategy, which functions as backbone in one of the first centers of its kind dedicated to working on AI across a large variety of clinical areas. We have several project ideas in the pipeline on both imaging, text and observations and you will be responsible for exploring and cultivating new projects together with the department of Innovation & HTA that matches the clinical needs of the hospital.

Your responsibilities will be to:

• Develop, implement and execute clinical AI-focused projects in close collaborations with employees at the hospital by bridging interests between the clinical practice and the technical research
• Explore and utilize the possibilities for addressing AI in the clinical setting – especially within imaging, speech recognition, clinical text mining and big data (structured, semi-structured and unstructured)
• Give technical input and support for ongoing and new collaborations between researchers from SDU and OUH, clinical staff in the research and innovation projects and supported by a team of consultants from the Department of Clinical Development
• Contribute to teaching and outreach activities targeted younger research candidates to support the ongoing mission of promoting the technical mindset and innovation within the hospital
• Contribute to fundraising efforts that take place at both SDU and OUH.

For further information about the positions, please contact

• Information on the technical environment and SDU: Head of Applied AI and Data Science unit Esmaeil S. Nadimi [email protected] /+45 27781929
• Information on the position and the research environment at OUH: Head of Innovation Thomas K Kristensen at [email protected] / +45 23719724
• Information on CAI-X and responsibilities: Programme Manager Peter Børker Nielsen at [email protected] / +45 24607692

Salary and terms of employment

The terms of employment are stated in the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). You will be employed in a combined position between OUH and SDU. The hospital and the university wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Application

The application must contain (as pdf.- or docx.-files):

• A letter stating the interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project (max. 2 pages) - upload under “Application form”.
• Research plan (max. 2 pages)
• Detailed CV
• A complete list of publications
• Certified copy of diplomas, Ph.D. degrees in the relevant field and documentation of your language proficiency if relevant 
• 5 most relevant publications in which the applicant wishes to rely on (preferably the applicant being the first author).

Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online".

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

Suitable candidates will be invited for a job interview after the application deadline.

The deadline for application is Nov 10th , 2022. Job interviews are expected to be held during November and December 2022.

Living and working in Denmark

There are several services available for foreign applicants. International Staff Mobility at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Please visit https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/international_staff for more information. International Community Odense at Municipality of Odense will also offer help for international employees and their families coming to Odense, helping them settle, and introducing them to social networks and activities around the city. Please visit this website for more information.

FACTS

Department of Clinical Development, Innovation & HTA at OUH

The Department of Clinical Development is one of five staff functions at OUH, which supports the clinical departments in the OUH principle of putting the patient first. The innovation unit works with strategic innovation, and we use new technology to improve treatment, methods, and workflows at the hospital. Besides CAI-X, two other research and innovation centres are located in Department of Clinical Development: Centre for Innovative Medical Technology (CIMT) and Centre for Clinical Robotics (CCR). Read more about Innovation at OUH here

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, The Faculty of Engineering at SDU

The Maersk McKinney Moller Institute (MMMI) is part of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark. MMMI is an internationally recognized research department, which has maintained a leading position in robotics for more than two decades. The team of Applied AI and Data Science is the main driver of activities within artificial intelligence and machine learning at the university of Southern Denmark. The team has close collaboration with various hospitals in Denmark, and runs projects within AI in gastroenterology, neurology, urology, cardiology and endocrinology. Read more about AID and the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute here