PhD student in Computing Science with a focus on machine learning - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

To our department, characterized by world-leading research in several scientific fields and a multitude of educations ranked highly in international comparison, we now look for a Doctoral student in machine learning. The position is for four years of full-time doctoral studies at the Department of Computing Science, where you will be able to work in a dynamic environment with 140 employees from more than 20 countries.

The Department of Computing science has been growing rapidly in recent years where focus on an inclusive and bottom-up driven environment are key elements in our sustainable growth. The 50 Doctoral students within the department consists of a diverse group from different nationalities, background and fields. If you work as a Doctoral student with us you receive the benefits of support in career development, networking, administrative and technical support functions along with good employment conditions. See more information at:
https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/

Is this of interest to you? Welcome with your application before 23rd of January 2022.

Project description

Methods for automatic segmentation based on the latest development in artificial intelligence (AI) have gone through a rapid development during the last few years, and work remarkably well. Such methods can be used in radiation therapy to automatically segment, in medical images, the area that should be treated and the areas where it is important to avoid radiation exposure to not hurt sensitive organs or tissues. These methods are however exclusively developed for adult patients, whereas the development of corresponding AI tools for paediatric patients has lagged severely.

The purpose of this project is therefore to develop and evaluate modern AI methods for automatic segmentation in medical images, which are based on deep learning and in particular on deep convolutional neural networks, and that also work well for paediatric cancer patients.

The doctoral student position is offered within the machine learning project ”Automated radiotherapy for paediatric oncology patients and the challenge of small datasets” that is financed by the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund. The project is a collaboration between researchers at the Department of Computing Science and the Department of Radiation Sciences, both at Umeå University. The project is led by Tommy Löfstedt, docent and associate professor at the Department of Computing Science, Umeå University.

Admission requirements

The general admission requirements for doctoral studies are a second- cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level, or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications. To fulfill the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in computing science, the applicant is required to have completed at least 90 ECTS credits in computing science. Applicants who otherwise have acquired skills that are deemed equivalent are also eligible.

Candidates are expected to have very good knowledge in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and image analysis. Experience in working with medical images is a merit. A very good command of the English language, both written and spoken, is a key requirement.

Important personal qualities are the ability to work on your own as well as together with others, to be creative, and to have a will to actively develop yourself to become a competent researcher.

About the position

The position provides you with the opportunity to pursue PhD studies in Computing Science for four years, with the goal of achieving the degree of Doctor in Computing Science. While the position is mainly devoted to PhD studies (at least 80% of the time), it may include up to 20% department service (usually teaching). If so, the total time for the position is extended accordingly, resulting in a maximum of five years.

The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (chapter 12, 2§) and the decision regarding the position cannot be appealed.

The expected starting date is 1st of March 2022, or as otherwise agreed.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University.

A complete application should contain the following documents:

• A cover letter including a description of your research interests, your reasons to apply for the position, and your contact information
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Certified copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades
• Copies of completed BSc and/or MSc theses and other relevant publications, if any
• Contact information to three references
• Documentation and description of other relevant experiences or competences.

The application must be written in English or Swedish. Attached documents in other languages should be translated. Attached documents must be in pdf format. Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University, and be received no later than 23rd of January 2022.

The Department of Computing Science values gender diversity, and therefore particularly encourages women and those outside the gender binary to apply for the position.

For additional information, please contact associate professor Tommy Löfstedt (tommy@cs.umu.se).

We look forward to receiving your application!