PhD Integrative machine learning for oncology and neurology

PhD Integrative machine learning for oncology and neurology

Join us at the forefront of clinical AI research — develop cutting-edge models that integrate expert knowledge and multimodal data to transform diagnosis and treatment! Work on impactful applications in oncology and neurology with access to top-tier clinical datasets and real-world collaboration.

The project

In current medical decision-making, clinical risk and prediction models play an increasingly important role in determining, accelerating and improving diagnosis, prognosis and/or intervention. The development of diagnostic or predictive models based on clinical, laboratory, genetic and/or imaging variables is now at the core of many clinical research questions. Although medical data is widely available today, these data still pose challenges for clinical models as they are often heterogeneous, multimodal (text, images, tables) and high-dimensional (lots of measurement data) with relatively small numbers of patients.

About your role

You will develop new AI methods and foundation models to systematically integrate expert knowledge and external data of different modalities into clinical AI models to improve their performance. These new methods and models address the challenges of heterogeneity, multimodality and high-dimensionality when developing clinical risk models. The project entails methodological development, balanced with implementation and applications in the onco- and neurological field. You will have access to high-quality clinical data from our collaborators.

About you

• You hold an MSc in AI, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or a closely related discipline;
• You have a background in quantitative modeling enabling the development of new computational methods;
• You have strong programming skills, preferably in R / Python;
• You are able to explain complex ideas to non-specialists;
• Knowledge of Generative AI, machine learning and deep learning techniques;
• You have good communication skills (written/oral) in English, you are self-disciplined and can work in a multi-disciplinary environment;
• For Dutch nationals, a VOG (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag) is mandatory.

Our offer

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
• Salary scale OIO: € 3.017 to € 3.824 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. From July 1st, 2025, there will be a salary increase of 3%.
• Holiday hours: 190,4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

About your workplace

You will be working at the Translational AI Laboratory at the Department of Laboratory Medicine of Amsterdam UMC. The mission of TrAIL is to transform expertise and enthusiasm on AI in healthcare into effective health technology solutions with the aim to improve patient care. We research, develop and implement novel methods to medical purposes, and applying these solutions to Amsterdam UMC data. Our key research lines include (1) generative AI: foundation models, knowledge graphs, multimodal deep learning; (2) predictive AI: biomarker discovery, clinical risk modeling; and (3) translational AI: implementation science, digital biomarkers, agentic modeling.

You are also part of the ADORE Biocomputational Focus Group, which unites Amsterdam UMC biocomputational researchers who develop and apply computational methods relevant to onco- and neurological applications.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Amsterdam UMC has an open culture. This means that we hope that everyone feels welcome in our organization and that we strive to offer equal opportunities to everyone. We therefore cordially invite all interested parties to respond to this vacancy.

We are currently working on scheduling the interview round. As soon as the date is confirmed, we will include it in the job description.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Prof. dr. Martijn Schut, via m.c.schut@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.