Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) has a vacancy in the Life Sciences and Health research group for a talented PhD student on explainable AI, genetic programming, and deep learning for medical applications.

Job description
CWI (the Life Sciences and Health research group) closely collaborates with LUMC (the department of radiation oncology) to work on innovations in the medical domain along the entire spectrum from algorithmic foundations to clinical integration. Already there are several AI-based projects running between these institutes. Together with new projects starting in the coming months, this creates a large and vibrant research group of over 12 PhD students and postdocs. Of these, on 2 joint projects CWI and LUMC still seek 3 talented PhD students (two to be hired at CWI and one to be hired at LUMC) to work on the development and application of novel explainable AI, genetic programming, and deep learning techniques.

In a European project called TRUST-AI - Transparent, Reliable and Unbiased Smart Tool for Artificial Intelligence, we have 2 PhD positions on explainable AI. Both positions are at CWI. However, one position is more medically oriented and therefore requires intensive integration with LUMC. That position concerns finetuning novel explainable AI algorithms that are predominantly based on Genetic Programming (GP) and combinations with deep learning, to work well in clinical practice regarding rare tumors in the head and neck region. The other position is more fundamental in nature and concerns the algorithmic advancement of a recently introduced (at CWI) state-of-the-art research line on model-based evolutionary algorithms for GP known as the GP version of the Gene-pool Optimal Mixing Evolutionary Algorithm (GP-GOMEA). Moreover, on the latter position there will be close fundamental collaboration with researchers at Inria, Paris.

In a project called DAEDALUS - Decentralized and Automated Evolutionary Deep Architecture Learning with Unprecedented Scalability we have 1 PhD student position left to be filled at LUMC on real-world medical applications of (distributed) deep learning in medical image analysis and radiation therapy dose analysis with multiple treatment centres. This project also includes 2 PhD students at CWI for which the vacancies are already filled. Hence, for the remaining PhD position in this project, there is a strong emphasis on applications, although candidates must have a sufficiently relevant and strong background in computer science, math, or AI to allow understanding the principles of the novel techniques that are developed in the project so that these techniques can be properly used for clinical purposes.

Candidates are required to have a Master’s degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, or similar areas with relevant experience. If you are obtaining your Master’s degree in the coming months, you are also invited to respond.

Applicants are required to have excellent programming skills (with strong C/C++/Java experience highly desired (for TRUST-AI)). Applicants are further expected to have an excellent command of English.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months. After a positive evaluation, the agreement will be extended by 30 months.

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres ("CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen"). The initial labour agreement will be for a period of 18 months. After a positive evaluation, the agreement will be extended by 30 months. The gross monthly salary, for a PhD student on a full time basis, is € 2,407 during the first year and increases to €3,085 over the four year period. Employees are also entitled to a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.33%. CWI offers attractive working conditions, including flexible scheduling and help with housing for expat employees.

Please visit our website for more information about our terms of employment: https://www.cwi.nl/jobs/terms-of-employment

CWI

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) is the Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science and is an institute of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The mission of CWI is to conduct pioneering research in mathematics and computer science, generating new knowledge in these fields and conveying it to trade, industry, and society at large. CWI is an internationally oriented institute, with 160 scientists from approximately 30 countries. The facilities are first-rate and include excellent IT support, career planning, training, and courses.  CWI is located at Science Park Amsterdam that is presently developing into a major location of research in the natural sciences in the Netherlands, housing the sciences of the University of Amsterdam as well as several other national research institutes next to CWI.

Life Sciences and Health group

About Research group
For more information about the research of the Life Sciences and Health group at CWI, please visit our website http://www.cwi.nl/research/groups/life-sciences-and-health