PhD position in Machine Learning and Knowledge Graphs

Integrated, high-quality personal health data represents a potential wealth of knowledge for healthcare systems, but there is no reliable conduit for this data to become interoperable, AI-ready and reuse-ready at scale across institutions, at national and EU level. The Horizon Europe supported AIDAVA project will fill this gap by prototyping and testing an AI-powered, virtual assistant maximising automation of data curation & publishing of unstructured and structured, heterogeneous data. The assistant includes a backend with a library of AI-based data curation tools and a frontend based on human-AI interaction modules that will help users when automation is not possible, while adapting to users preferences.

The successful candidate will be involved in the development of novel Machine Learning and Knowledge Graphs based tools for the harmonisation and quality enhancement of structured data.

Tasks include:

• Work with a multi-stakeholder team to discuss research problems;
• Develop tools to harmonise and convert heterogenous, structured personal health data into a unified Knowledge Graph using relevant shared vocabularies and ontologies
• Develop tools to measure data quality and enhance data quality by correcting errors, inconsistencies, and outliers
• Generate the embeddings for the personal health data Knowledge Graph to enable data fusion and enhance NLP algorithms
• Communicate the results of the research to stakeholders and target groups;
• Write scientific papers for international peer-reviewed conferences and journals;
• Present your work in international conferences;
• Provide teaching assistance in undergraduate and master’s courses;
• Participate in work package meetings;
• Finalise the work in a PhD thesis.

• max. 38 hours per week
• €2541—€3247 per month
• Maastricht View on Google Maps

Maastricht University (UM)

• MSc degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence or equivalent;
• Experience in semantic web technologies and standards
• Training and/or experience with big data technologies, machine learning, deep learning, and data mining algorithms;
• Demonstrable affinity with the topic;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team;
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills;

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The full-time position is offered for a duration of four years, with yearly evaluations.

The salary will be set in PhD salary scale of the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities (€2.541 gross per month in first year to €3.247 in the fourth and final year). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance. The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity) of Maastricht. Non-Dutch applicants could be eligible for a favorable tax treatment (30% rule

The intended starting date of this position is 1 September, 2022 or as negotiated

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl  > About UM > Working at UM .

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

www.maastrichtuniversity.nl .  

The Institute of Data Science (IDS) at Maastricht University is a research centre embedded in the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences, part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The institute is led by distinguished professor Michel Dumontier. The mission of the Institute of Data Science is to foster an interfaculty environment for collaborative innovation in the development and application of data science technologies.

maastrichtuniversity.nl/ids

The Department of Advanced Computing Sciences (DACS) is Maastricht University’s largest and oldest department broadly covering the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, mathematics and robotics.  Over 100 researchers work and study in the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences, whose roots trace back to 1987. The department’s staff teaches approximately 800 bachelor’s and master’s students in 3 specialized study programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. 

maastrichtuniversity.nl/dacs

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE). Maastricht University heavily invests in the growth of its STEM research and education. The Faculty of Science and Engineering  is one of the focal points of these developments. Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, over 260 researchers and more than 2,700 students work on themes such as fundamental physics, circularity and sustainability, data science and artificial intelligence.

www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fse

Informal inquiries concerning this position can be directed to: Professor Michel Dumontier (michel.dumontier@maastrichtuniversity.nl ) and Dr. Remzi Celebi  (remzi.celebi@maastrichtuniversity.nl  )

recruitmentFSE@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Don't forget to mention AcademicTransfer and the job number: AT2022.282 in your letter.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

Applicants are asked to send their application via Academic Transfer before July 15, 2022. as (preferably a single) PDF document(s) consisting of:

• A curriculum vitae that includes references to previous work (GitHub).
• A motivation letter
• The names and contact details of at least two persons who can provide recommendation letters.

Informal inquiries concerning this position can be directed to: Professor Michel Dumontier (michel.dumontier@maastrichtuniversity.nl ) and Dr. Remzi Celebi  (remzi.celebi@maastrichtuniversity.nl )