Dive into a multi-center dataset, collaborate across disciplines, and drive the development of AI models for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) treatment decisions.

Job Description
This PhD position focuses on developing and statistically validating AI models for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) treatment decisions. The aim is to collect and curate IBD datasets and, with those, create clinically relevant, reliable, and explainable AI models that predict outcomes such as steroid-free clinical remission, subjective remission, and adverse outcomes like surgeries and hospitalizations.

As the PhD student on this project, you will play a crucial role in collecting and curating a multi-center dataset for IBD and subsequently developing and validating AI models for IBD treatment decisions. Leveraging insights from previous AI projects and this multi-center dataset of over 4000 patients, you will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, IT professionals and physicians to create robust algorithms that enhance patient outcomes in IBD management.

Your responsibility is to fulfil all the requirements to obtain a PhD degree at Maastricht University, including but not limited to:

• Write and co-write academic publications which will form the basis of your PhD thesis, together with the members of your supervision team and others,
• Collect data according to a well-considered research design,
• Further build your data curation and AI modelling skills,
• Participate in required and jointly decided elements of your PhD education

You will be working in and with two interdisciplinary groups: Clinical Data Science (CDS) at Maastricht University and Gastroenterology at Maastricht University Medical Centre+. You will be expected to actively participate in the colloquia and meeting of both groups and will benefit from peers with diverse expertises. At any given moment, your reliance on one of these groups and their expertise may take priority, but for the whole duration of the work we expect this to be balanced.

Requirements
We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

• A master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, such as computer science, data science, statistics, or a related field.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and programming languages such as Python and R.
• Experience with machine learning algorithms and techniques is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
• A keen interest in applying AI techniques to improve healthcare outcomes, particularly in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
• Experience with clinical information systems and medical data collection and curation.
• English proficiency (Cambridge English Proficiency, level C1, orally and written), knowledge of Dutch is requested, but not required

What we offer
As PhD-candidate "Data capture and AI modeling for IBD Treatment Decisions" at Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2770,00 and €3539,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total.

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+). FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+).

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Rianne Fijten via r.fijten@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD-candidate "Data capture and AI modeling for IBD Treatment Decisions"? Apply now, no later than May 1, 2024 for this position.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

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.