Postdoctoral Researcher in Artificial Intelligence

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Center of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University (TiU) is looking for an enthusiastic new colleague in the domains of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The postdoc will contribute to the research project “Advancing Research in Palliative Care: Employing Rich Pictures”, a collaboration between Tilburg University, Amsterdam UMC and Amsta Nursing Home. In this project, you will collaborate with prof. dr. Hanneke van Laarhoven, head of the Department of Medical Oncology at Amsterdam UMC and her team.

Little is known about the existential concerns of patients in the palliative phase of life. Discussing one's life in this phase can be difficult for patients. Visual aids, like 'Rich Pictures' (RPs), can facilitate this and bring to light concerns that might not otherwise be discussed. RPs can also illustrate changes over time, for instance, after an intervention. Thus, they can also serve as a new research instrument. However, RP analysis is highly labor-intensive and challenging due to the variability in drawing styles, the numerous elements and their complex relationships, and the implicit meanings of specific symbols. By accelerating RP analysis with AI, RPs can also be used as a measurement tool in large-scale research and clinical practice.

Your position

The postdoc will play a key role in the research team. The key responsibilities include:

• Develop AI solutions to support the analysis of RPs
• Build an interface for the AI tool to be accessible for researchers and healthcare providers.
• Work with partners in Amsterdam UMC
• Publish results in scientific journals and present results at (international) conferences.

The successful candidate should:

1. Hold a PhD in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, or any another relevant discipline.
2. Have interest and experience with deep learning and image analysis.
3. Have interest and/or experience with developing AI tools in healthcare.
4. Possess strong programming skills in Python, PyTorch or otherwise.
5. Have a good command of English (spoken and written).
6. Have good communication skills and can work with different people from different disciplines.

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

1. • Employment of 0.8 – 0.,9 fte (32-36 hours per week).
   • Salary between €3,546 and €4,728 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile researcher 4, salary scale 10). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
   • This is a vacancy for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 CLA DU. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of a maximum of 24 months.
   • Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
   • Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
   • Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
   • Reimbursement sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport
   • Options model for additional leave, pension, a bicycle or personal training.

1. • Moving allowance (subject to conditions).
   • 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).
   • Pension through ABP.
   • Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research or language courses.
   • Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.
   • A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.
We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

About the Research Center for Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence

The Research Center for Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University is part of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. The center emphasizes innovative cutting-edge research in those areas of cognitive science that bring together psychological and computational theories and methodologies. The group is responsible for the Bachelor and the Master program Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence, is co-responsible for the university- wide data science Master program Data Science & Society and is affiliated with the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (http://www.jads.nl). Researchers in the Cognitive Science and
Artificial Intelligence center have access to computer clusters, experimental lab facilities, and the virtual and mixed reality DAF Technology Lab and its sensing technologies
(https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/campus/experiencing-virtual-reality/ ). Moreover, researchers play an important role in Mind Labs (http://www.mind-labs.eu ), an initiative that fosters collaborations between knowledge institutions and corporations in the field of interactive technologies and behavior.

About Deep Learning for Perception Research Unit

You will be embedded in the Deep Learning for Perception Research Unit, which focuses on developing deep learning methods in contexts hallmarked by a high degree of complexity and uncertainty. In our research, we study generative models of perception. We also address transparency and explainability of deep learning models, in combination with techniques designed to reduce complexity of deep learning architectures.