Postdoctoral researcher in AI synthesis of medical imaging data for neurodegenerative diseases - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace
Our research is focused on defining and understanding biological processes in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. We work both with cohorts of patients and cognitively unimpaired volunteers, who undergo extensive testing with neuroimaging, biomarker measurements and neuropsychological testing, and with animal- and cell biology experiments. More information can be found here. The research group is led by Professor Oskar Hansson. This position will be placed at BMC in Lund.

We aim to create a good work environment based on respect and consideration in our relation to each other. We strive to create an environment that promotes development and is stimulating to all employees.

Project description
The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is an exquisitely complicated brain region involved in many aspects of behavior. However, anatomists have struggled to agree on where the boundaries of different subregions of the MTL are, and how to properly annotate these boundaries. To overcome these obstacles, we aim to develop an unbiased deep learning approach to parcellate MTL subregions based on objective cytoarchitecture and anatomy. The postdoctoral scholar will build and apply AI models to parcellate extremely rare high-resolution histology images capturing rich cytoarchitectonic information as well as spatially resolved neuropathology. The fellow will be involved in development and application of this and other AI models, and will participate in general analysis of clinical, imaging and histological data.

Work duties and areas or responsibilities
As a postdoctoral researcher you will primarily participate in data analysis as it pertains to research foci described above. Other work responsibilities may include: data curation and processing; composition, editing, or executing of computational scripts; presenting data and findings at internal and external research meetings; composition of scientific manuscripts; informal mentorship of and skill-sharing with other employees; and/or composition of grants and/or research fellowships. Other work duties may also occur.

Eligibility
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. This eligibility requirement needs to be met no later than the time when the employment decision is made. We will mainly consider candidates who have completed their PhD degree no more than three (3) years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. These circumstances refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical work, positions of trust within trade union organizations or other similar circumstances.

Basis for assessment
At Lund University, employment as a postdoctoral researcher provides opportunities for scientific and pedagogical merit. There is mainly room for merit in research, but also for certain higher education pedagogical training. Teaching may be included in the tasks.

For the employment as a postdoctoral research, scientific ability will primarily be taken into account.

Other qualifications
The following are also required for the position:

• Ph.D. in engineering, neuroscience, statistics, quantitative biology, physics, mathematics or a related discipline;
• Fluency in computational programming, preferably using python or R
• Familiarity and experience with high-performance cluster-based computin
• Expertise in AI model development and application
• Ability to independently perform large-scale data analyses
• Excellent communications skills in English, both verbal and written
• A proven track record of research productivity
• Candidate should be thorough, detail-oriented, and should demonstrate an intrinsic motivation for research into neurodegenerative diseases

The following are considered to be a merit:

• Research experience in the field of neurodegenerative disease
• Experience with curation, preprocessing and/or analysis of neuroimaging data
• Familiarity with git and GitHub and/or Datala
• Experience using AI in the context of medical imaging dat
• Familiarity with best practices in reproducibility and open science
• Individuals from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply

Terms of employment
This is a full-time employment limited to 2 years with preliminary start date on or after 1st of March 2024, or according to agreement. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral researcher”) between SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated November 19, 2021. Extension of position up to an additional year may be possible.

Application
Applications must include a personal motivation letter, a CV, contact information of three references, a diploma (including a grade transcript) and other documents you wish to be considered (e.g. letters of recommendation).