PhD-student on distributed deep learning to reduce side-effects from head-and-neck cancer treatments

The research division of Data Science has three research themes: build global data sharing infrastructures, learn cancer outcome prediction models from this data and apply outcome prediction models to improve lives of cancer patients.

In this position, you will develop into a specialist in distributed Deep Learning that can efficiently use Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) oncology data from around the world. Clinical data and radiological images will be brought together as a decision support system to help reduce surgical dissections of the neck following chemo/radiation treatment. You will be part of a flexible multidisciplinary environment comprising oncologists, legal experts, medical physicists, software engineers and other clinical data scientists.

We are looking for a team player who has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving cancer care. We require a Masters degree (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline closely related to clinical data science and machine learning, with a strong background in Python programming and Docker deployment.

Willingness to travel for research work, teaching/mentoring experience and knowledge of multiple European/Asian languages will be viewed highly favourably. You must be willing to relocate to the region around Maastricht (which is also close to Germany and Belgium). Knowledge of the Dutch language is not a requirement, but you must be fluent in English (better than IELTS 7, or equivalent) and have excellent communication skills for academic publications and oral presentations.

We offer employment conditions and salary based on the Dutch Collective Labor Agreement for Hospitals (CAO-Ziekenhuizen). You will receive a fulltime contract (36 hours/week) for an initial period of one year, which in case of a successful evaluation will be extended to a total period of 4 years. As a PhD-student, your salary will be according to the salary scale FWG 50 (min. € 2.336,-, max. € 2.731,-).

Fringe benefits include a 8.33% holiday allowance, a 8.33% end-of-year bonus and an excellent pension provision. In addition, Maastro offers various discount schemes with regard to (healthcare) insurance, bicycle purchase and sports subscriptions. Candidates from abroad may qualify for the advantageous 30% tax rule and a reimbursement of relocation expenses (conditions apply).

The internationally acclaimed radiotherapy institute Maastro in Maastricht delivers cancer care in the Limburg region of the Netherlands, aiming to cure patients while preventing side effects of the provided treatments. All disciplines within Maastro contribute to this endeavour to optimally prepare and perform the treatments. Maastro is a state-of-the-art clinic with the latest imaging and radiotherapy equipment, and has started treating patients with proton therapy beginning 2019.

Furthermore, we have well-established research groups and we work closely with MaastrichtUniversity (Research School GROW) and Maastricht University Hospital (MUMC+) in the fields of education, clinical and pre-clinical research.