Promovendus anesthesiologie / data science

Researcher in Anesthesiology

Propofol has been the most widely used drug for the induction of general anesthesia for decades. However, the correct individual dose for deep sleep without cardiovascular side effects is still unknown. There are PK-PD models for the hypnotic effect, but side effects are predicted by other models. Therefore, anesthesiologists estimate the dose based on their experience, which often leads to side effects such as hypo- and hypertension after induction (25%). By combining existing PK-PD models for the hypnotic and hemodynamic effects of propofol and improving the model with data from electronic patient records (EPR), hypotension or hypertension can be prevented while simultaneously achieving sufficient hypnosis.

In this multicenter cohort study, you will use AI/ML techniques to analyze retrospective EPR data from surgical patients and enrich and optimize the existing PK-PD models. You will then test the effect of real-time support in dosing propofol based on the optimized model in a prospective before-and-after study.

This is a temporary position for three years, and your scientific work will eventually lead to a defensible dissertation.

You will work at the Department of Anesthesiology at UMC Utrecht. This Department provides (top) clinical care, education, and scientific research in the field of perioperative care and anesthesiology. The research focuses on perioperative risk management and monitoring within the strategic program 'Circulatory Health' at UMC Utrecht. There is close collaboration with the Julius Center, the Department of Digital Health at UMC Utrecht, the Department of Anesthesiology at UMC Groningen, and the University Health Network in Toronto (Canada).

• You have a master's degree in bio- or medical-pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, pharmaceutical modeling, model-based drug development, or an equivalent education.
• You are interested in developing ML algorithms and PK-PD models for clinical use.
• You are enthusiastic, driven, and eager to learn and want to conduct distinctive and relevant research.
• You have good organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and you are decisive and enterprising.
• Experience with software development (e.g., R, Python) is a plus. Affinity with (scientific) writing is a plus.

• A salary between € 3493 and € 5504 gross per month (scale 10), based on full-time employment (36 hours).
• An employment contract for the duration of the research (3 years).
• Year-end bonus of 8.3% and holiday pay of 8%.
• Favorable pension scheme with ABP: we pay 70% of the premium.
• If you travel by public transport to work and the one-way journey exceeds 7 km, these costs will be fully reimbursed. If you come on foot, by bike, or by car, you will receive a reimbursement of € 0.18 per km (up to a max of 40 km one way by car).
• Opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Cao à la carte: choose additional employment conditions in exchange for gross salary, such as for the purchase of a bicycle, reimbursement of your internet subscription, and memberships.