PhD candidate 'Digital Biomarkers for Atypical Parkinsonism based on Continuous, Real-world Monitoring'

Do you have what it takes to combine AI and clinical research? Are you motivated to contribute to the development of new therapies for people living with atypical parkinsonism? We are looking for a talented and versatile PhD student to develop digital biomarkers from continuous, real-world sensor data.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a form of atypical parkinsonism characterized by its highly progressive and thereby extremely debilitating nature for affected patients and their families. Novel therapies are being developed to halt the underlying neurodegeneration. However, testing their efficacy is hampered by the lack of objective and sensitive outcome measures.

At the Center of Expertise for Parkinson and Movement Disorders, we have conducted a unique PSP cohort study with long-term, continuous collection of wearable sensor data in daily life. Working together with AI experts, you will develop models to extract insights into the progression of key PSP symptoms, based on high-frequency movement and heart-rate signals. Through collaboration with clinical experts, you will integrate clinical knowledge and combine the developed digital biomarkers with clinical and biomarker data. In addition, you will work towards concrete applications by providing sensitive outcomes for clinical trials aiming to halt the underlying neurodegeneration. Together, by enabling reliable, real-life monitoring of PSP, this PhD project has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of PSP progression, and to transform the way we assess patients in clinical trials and care.

Your everyday interactions will be with fellow PhD students from the AI for Parkinson Lab, a multidisciplinary research group focused on AI-based, real-life monitoring of parkinson signs. The lab is part of the internationally recognized Radboudumc Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders. Your PhD project will be supervised by Dr. Luc Evers and Prof. Bas Bloem. In addition, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience with our industry partners, for example pharmaceutical companies interested in integrating new digital outcomes into clinical trials.

You will:

• design and conduct scientific research in a stimulating, interdisciplinary environment.
• develop and validate machine learning models to extract digital biomarkers for atypical parkinsonism from real-world wearable sensor data.
• interpret findings in close collaboration with clinical and AI experts.
• work towards concrete applications in clinical trials aiming to halt the underlying neurodegeneration.
• present results at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.
• make the developed tools available for the community in line with open science principles.
• contribute to knowledge transfer by supervising student internships.
• follow relevant courses at the Radboudumc, Radboud University and Donders Graduate School.
• finalize the project with a PhD thesis.

You are enthusiastic about collaborating with researchers from different disciplines and eager to expand your knowledge of both technical and clinical aspects. You demonstrate strong teamwork skills and thrive in collaborative environments. With a curious and proactive attitude, you actively seek opportunities to learn, contribute, and drive innovation.

Moreover you have:

• A Master's degree in technical medicine, biomedical sciences, artificial intelligence, data science, biomedical engineering or a related field of study.
• A strong affinity with performing data analyses, and experience with deep learning, machine learning and/or time series analysis.
• Good programming skills in Python or similar languages.
• Experience with using machine learning in the context of neuroscience, or working with similar data types (time series data, sensor signals) is a plus.
• A high proficiency in spoken and written English.

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• Upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.108 based on a full-time appointment). Over a maximum period of 4 years, you will progress to scale 10A, step 3 (€3.939 based on a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week.

You will work closely together with fellow PhD students at the AI for Parkinson lab at the Radboudumc Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders. Supervision will be provided by Dr. Luc Evers, Senior Researcher Remote Monitoring & AI, and by Prof. Bas Bloem, head of the Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders.

The Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders houses all Parkinson activities from the Departments of Neurology and Rehabilitation. These include an extensive portfolio of research & innovation projects, all outpatient care activities, and the activities of ParkinsonNet Netherlands and ParkinsonNet International. Nationally and internationally there is much recognition for what we do in the field of Parkinson. We conduct innovative translational scientific research, provide person-oriented and high quality care, and we share our knowledge with colleagues in the Netherlands and abroad. For this reason we have been awarded again this year with the designation 'Center of Excellence' by the National Parkinson Foundation.

The AI for Parkinson Lab is an innovative, multidisciplinary research group focused on developing AI-based remote monitoring tools for people with Parkinson’s disease. Within the lab, researchers from both technical and clinical backgrounds work closely together to create and validate digital biomarkers using real-life wearable sensor and video data. The AI for Parkinson Lab is embedded in the Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders.

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research center with over 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. It offers excellent, state-of-the-art facilities for diverse neuroscience research. An international evaluation committee assessed it as ‘excellent’ and recognized it as a ‘stimulating environment for top researchers as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, supportive research environment with a diverse international staff.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare. Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.