PhD student in Computerized Image Processing with focus on Applications in Biomedicine

Published: 2024-05-02

Are you interested in developing modern AI-driven image analysis methods that can improve healthcare, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University. 

Uppsala University has a long tradition of groundbreaking research – among our alumni are 16 Nobel Prize laureates, including, most recently, Svante Pääbo. The University is unique in combining IT and Artificial Intelligence with other research, from life sciences to humanities. Such interdisciplinary collaboration is facilitated by the Centre for Image Analysis , AI4Research , the Centre for Interdisciplinary Mathematics , and several others.

The Department of Information Technology holds a leading position in both research and education at all levels. We are currently Uppsala University's third largest department, having around 350 employees, including 120 teachers and 120 PhD students. Approximately 5,000 undergraduate students take one or more courses at the department each year. You can find more information about us on the department of Information Technology website .

Research at the Department is conducted within several research groups. The MIDA – Methods for Image Data Analysis – group focuses on development of novel methods for image data analysis, aiming to devise generally applicable approaches and tools that work well, independent of the particular application and types of images used. Striving for practically useful methods with a real and prominent impact, the research is often driven by emerging needs from the fields of biomedicine and medicine. The research is multidisciplinary and often connects with several other research groups and disciplines. MIDA is closely linked to the Centre for Image Analysis , and actively participates in European and global networks of image analysts in life sciences.

Research project: Interpretable AI-based microscopy image analysis to advance cancer diagnostics and treatment
This project will be conducted in interdisciplinary collaboration between MIDA group and researchers at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology (IGP) at Uppsala University. The aim is to develop advanced interpretable AI-driven image analysis techniques for state-of-the-art microscopy, enabling reliable and explainable detection of cancer, prediction of disease progression, as well as response to certain therapies. Ultimately, the aim is to improve our understanding of cancer, its early detection and efficient treatment.  

The exact research topic is decided in a dialogue between the doctoral student and the supervisor.

The position is funded through research projects conducted by the MIDA group and financed by Cancerfonden (Swedish Cancer Society)  and Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet).

Duties
The successful candidate will devote most of the time towards her/his research level education. Other service activities within the department, e.g. education and administrative work, may be included within the framework of the employment (not more than 20%), in which case the position will be extended to allow four years of full-time graduate studies.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in computer science, image analysis and machine learning, mathematics or similar, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

The specific requirements are met by having passed exams in areas relevant to the subjects of image analysis and machine learning with a minimum of 90 higher education credits. Relevant courses include, for example, image processing, computer vision, machine learning, deep learning and neural networks, as well as courses in python, GPU programming, mathematical modeling and statistics, or equivalent.

We are looking for candidates with

• good communication skills with sufficient proficiency in oral and written English,
• excellent study results,
• high proficiency in programming (including Python).

Personal characteristics, such as a high level of creativity, diligence, and a structured approach to problem-solving are essential.

Additional qualifications
Meriting are:  

• Experience with graph-based methods, and graph convolutional/neural networks;
• Experience with explainable and interpretable AI (XAI);
• Experience of programming in Matlab, JavaScript, C++, Rust, software version control with Git, typesetting with LaTeX, use and administration of Linux computers, Bash scripting;
• Interest in biomedical research and experience in application of image analysis in medicine.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines .

Application
The application should consist of:
1.    A Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2.    A copy of a degree/diploma, and transcript of records with grades (translated into English or Swedish);
3.    Master’s thesis (or a draft thereof, and/or some other self-produced technical or scientific text), scientific publications, and other relevant documents, in electronic form;
4.    Contact information for two references (name, e-mail, and phone number);
5.    A personal letter with a brief description why you are applying for this position and which also states your earliest possible starting date of employment (max. 1 page). 

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %.Starting date 1 September 2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala. 

For further information about the position, please contact: Prof. Nataša Sladoje (email: [email protected]); Prof. Joakim Lindblad (email: [email protected]).

Please submit your application by24 May 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1516.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden .

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all of our 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University
https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Information Technology

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position

Pay: Fixed salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100%

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: ST/TCO [email protected]
Seko Universitetsklubben [email protected]
Saco-rådet [email protected]

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2024/1516

Last application date: 2024-05-24

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