One million men receive a prostate cancer diagnosis, and three hundred thousand die from prostate cancer each year worldwide. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) represents a major breakthrough by accurately detecting clinically significant prostate cancers at an early, potentially more curable stage. The same MRI can also be used for better treatment targeting and for avoiding unnecessary systematic biopsies. As a result, the demand for Prostate MRI is rapidly increasing. Unfortunately, reading these multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) exams is difficult and requires substantial expertise. Computers can potentially extract more information from mpMRI, more reliably, and more accurately than human readers. Artificial Intelligence is becoming indispensable in helping improve mpMRI diagnostic performance.

This project aims to research computer-aided diagnostic systems that will demonstrably help clinicians to get the best possible prostate cancer diagnosis from mpMRI. The research includes quantitative imaging biomarkers, and multivariate analysis using an extensive MRI database with datasets of expert annotations. State-of-the-art predictive models will be continuously evaluated and implemented in a clinical prototype for validation and feedback. Results will be presented at scientific meetings and published in journals.

We will closely work with the Diagnostic Image Analysis Group (DIAG), a research division of the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine of the Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, which has an extensive experience in the field of various medical image analysis topics.

You should be a creative and enthusiastic researcher with an MSc degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Physics, Engineering or Biomedical Sciences or similar, with a clear interest in machine learning, radiomics, image analysis and an affinity with medical applications. Good communication skills and expertise in software development, preferably in Python/C++, are essential. Experience with artificial intelligence is a pre. The research should result in a Ph.D. thesis.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position.

Your salary is € 2.279,- gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2.919,- gross per month in the last fourth year (scale PhD). Maximum hours per week: 36. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, an 8.3% end- of-year bonus and a development budget. The terms of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centers (CAO-UMC).

More information
- Ms Dr. D. Yakar, telephone (050) 3612205; e-mail d.yakar@umcg.nl
- Mr Dr. T.C. Kwee, telephone (050) 3612205; e-mail t.c.kwee@umcg.nl
- Mr Dr. H. Huisman, telephone (024) 3617536; e-mail henkjan.huisman@radboudumc.nl
(please do not use e-mail adresses for applications).

Applications
The following should be included: CV, list of followed courses and grades, letter of motivation, and preferably a reprint or link to your Master thesis and publications in English you have written.

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging

The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands and the largest employer in the Northern Netherlands. In addition to providing clinical care, there is much focus on the core research, training and education. The Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging is part of the UMCG. It has well-established structural international research collaborations with academic partners.
At least as important as a pleasant working environment is a pleasant living environment. Groningen is a thriving university city set in quiet, spacious surroundings.