For a jointly supervised PhD position between Interventional Radiology (Maastricht University Medical Center) and Clinical Data Science (Maastricht University) we are looking for a technically oriented PhD Candiate on the development of ML/AI solutions for workflow optimization in liver ablation therapy for patients with colorectal liver metastases.

Interventional oncology (IO) comprises of diverse minimal invasive, imaging guided techniques to treat different forms of cancer. Due to the shift from open to minimal invasive therapies and from generic to patient-optimized personalized treatment, (percutaneous) liver ablation, a minimal invasive alternative (or addition) to surgical resection, is becoming increasingly applied in the treatment of liver cancer.

Being part of an international research-collaboration (IMAGIO), our research-group was recently co-awarded a European Horizon grant. The collaboration, led by Philips Medical Systems, focusses on improving outcomes in cancer care with the application of minimal invasive therapies. Together with Philips and the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) we will lead a work package focusing on optimizing outcomes of (percutaneous) liver ablation.

In this position you will develop yourself to become an AI/ML specialist who is able to contribute to meaningful clinical problems by creating useful AI/ML-supported solutions. You will collaborate with a clinical PhD working on the same project. You will be part of a large and rapidly expanding team of AI researchers at the Clinical Data Science department. You will be expected to collaborate closely with interventional radiologists and surgical oncologists of Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC).

We are looking for a team player who is enthusiastic about building AI/ML applications that translate into improving cancer care. We require a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline closely related to clinical data science and machine learning, with evidence of strong skills in the Python programming language.

Knowledge of the Dutch language is a plus but not a requirement, but you must be fluent in English, at least at the level of IELTS 7 or equivalent. You need to be able to prove excellent communication skills for academic publications and oral presentations, and also to make optimal use of technical and clinical expertise from your colleagues.

Fixed-term contract: 1 + 3 years.

What we offer

• We offer a 4-year full-time appointment as a PhD Candidate. The first year will be a probation period; after a positive assessment, the position will be extended for another 3 years.  
• Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels for PhD students starting with a salary of € 2.541 with a yearly growth to € 3.247 gross a month (based on a full-time appointment).
• In addition to the salary, we offer an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• We offer an attractive package of fringe benefits such as a reduction on collective health insurance, substantial leave arrangements, an optional model for designing a personalized benefits package, sports facilities that staff may use at a modest charge, and application for attractive fiscal arrangements for employees from abroad.
• You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings), you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs and relocation reimbursement.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, consult the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University

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. 
For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Interventional Radiology at MUMC: Our group currently consists of 7 IR’s that provide the entire range of vascular and non-vascular interventions in the region. We hold a strong track record in patient care, education and research, currently mainly focused on stroke, vascular/aortic interventions and Interventional Oncology. We are involved in different (inter)national research projects in the IO-field and lead, together with our surgical partners, a successful international collaborative (DRAGON) on pre-surgical induction of liver hypertrophy.

Clinical Data Science at UM: This group specializes in building privacy-preserving clinical data infrastructures, train data-driven AI models to predict cancer outcomes and build AI-based decision-support systems for better cancer care. A large part of Clinical Data Science projects involve applications of AI for decision-support and process automation in radiotherapy. However, there is also strong interest and experience in other clinical areas like surgical oncology and interventional radiology/oncology.

Surgical Oncology at MUMC is highly innovative and has a strong international focus, both in the Euregion as well as on worldwide multicenter collaborations. Programs as Minimal Invasive Cancer Surgery, ERAS, Wait and See, ORANGE, DRAGON and PROMISE-P were all initiated at Maastricht University Medical Center. Innovation, optimization of clinical care, personalization and minimizing the physical impact of cancer treatments is the backbone of our research programs. The surgical oncology department supervises over 40 PhD candidates and runs a highly sophisticated both fundamental and translational research laboratory. Ambition, fun and team play are core values of the department.