The potential of techniques from Artificial Intelligence for improved patient care is widely recognized. However, the number of applications that make it to the patient or clinician remains low. One of the causes of this gap is that clinicians and AI experts often speak a different language. To try and bridge the gap between the two disciplines the Amsterdam UMC (AUMC) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) are joining forces and are creating a joint position between the Cancer Center Amsterdam of the Amsterdam UMC and the Department of Computer Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

The position will focus on the use and re-use of structured and semi-structured clinical data (opposed to medical imaging or bioinformatics) to deploy and improve machine learning techniques to develop clinically relevant models, mainly (but not exclusively) targeting predictive modeling and personalization of healthcare. Besides purely data-driven approaches, making a combination with the vast amount of domain knowledge present in the medical domain is also in scope.

We are looking for a colleague with a cutting expertise to maintain our stream of high quality publications in this area, acquire external research grants, conduct excellent teaching, and act as a bridge builder between the two involved institutes.

Your duties
The tenure track position starts at the level of assistant professor or associate professor depending on the experience of the candidate. It involves the areas of research, education and management and contains the following duties:

• perform research in the field of AI and Health and contributing to both the research program of the Cancer Center Amsterdam and of the AI section of the VU
• act as a linking pin between the AUMC and VU and fuel a broader application of AI at the AUMC
• develop and teach course material for AI and Health courses for both institutes
• supervise Bachelor, Master, and PhD students
• write research grant proposals and obtaining external funding
• contribute to management tasks

We especially encourage women applicants. In the case of equal suitability of candidates, preference will be given to a female candidate. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  We only have one vacant position so we can only hire one candidate. We encourage both candidates with an experience level matching the level of assistant professor and associate professor to apply. We will rank candidates by taking into account their years of experience and built up CV. The selected candidate will be offered the position that matches the level of experience.

• a PhD degree in either Artificial Intelligence or a related field with a proven affinity with the health domain, or a PhD degree in a medical discipline with a proven track record in the application of AI techniques
• an international research profile, demonstrated by publications in relevant journals and AI conferences, and presentations at medical conferences
• academic teaching experience with experience in the supervision of MSc and PhD students
• experience with attracting research funding

A challenging position in two socially involved organizations. 

On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €3,746 (scale 11) and a maximum €5,127 (scale 11), depending on your education and experience. (for the position of assistant professor) or a minimum €5,190 (scale 13) and a maximum of €6,317 (scale 13), depending on your education and experience. (for the position of associate professor). The job profiles: assistant professor level 2 or associate professor level 2 are based on the university job ranking system. The position is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE

This is a tenure track position; the initial appointment will be for a period of five years. Based on performance indicators agreed at the start of the appointment, a tenure track position will lead to a tenured position of assistant professor 1 (scale 12) or associate professor 1 (scale 14) In the fifth year of the appointment the tenure decision will be taken. A midterm review will take place in 2,5 years’ time after the starting date.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment 
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavour – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 26,000 students. We employ over 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.
 
About the Department of Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science has approximately 200 members, including 35 tenured staff members and 50-60 PhD students. The tenured staff members form the essential basis for the functioning of the department. A tenured staff member is required to make significant contributions to the research and education programs, and to spend effort on administrative tasks at the department level. The Department includes four AI research groups. The position will be embedded in the Quantitative Data Analytics group.About Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC
Amsterdam UMC is the largest academic medical center in The Netherlands that originated from a merger from two University Medical Centers in Amsterdam in 2018. It provides academic care and training, distinctive scientific research and a competence-based education program for MD’s. Scientific research is multidisciplinary and organized in 8 research institutes. Within Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam connects science and care for cancer: We deliver unique care on a daily basis, and every healthcare professional, every researcher and every patient contributes to the cancer care of tomorrow by connecting research and care. Optimization of (big) data extraction and analysis is one of our goals, a goal that we believe we can only achieve by cooperation with others.