PhD position in Ophthalmology, Medical Imaging Analysis

Description of the workplace
The PhD project will be conducted within the field of Experimental Medical Diagnostics. The research group is interdisciplinary and led by Prof. Malin Malmsjö together with Assoc. Prof. Aboma Merdasa, as well as several clinicians, engineers, and computational physicists. We strive to conduct excellent research at an international level while also maintaining a positive work environment characterized by respect and consideration, where everyone is encouraged to feel included, stimulated, and supported.

The Department of Clinical Sciences Lund is now announcing a vacancy for a PhD position and employment as a doctoral student within the research area Medical Science, specifically Ophthalmology. The position is liked to the Ph.D. project entitled “Digitization of skin tumor Diagnostics using machine learning”.

The main task of the doctoral student is to carry out an individual research project under supervision. The doctoral position will contribute important expertise in data analysis, specifically in the area of machine learning. The work will be conducted within the Ph.D. project titled "Digitization of Skin Tumor Diagnostics Using Machine Learning." The project will involve conducting studies aimed at developing digital tools, such as computational models for skin tumor diagnostics. The research group includes clinicians, technical and computational physicists, as well as engineers who together develop new instruments and analysis methods for non-invasive clinical diagnostics. The research group plays a central role in the infrastructure known as the Lund University Clinical Center for Spectroscopic and Acoustic Imaging (https://www.photoacoustics.lu.se/).

The doctoral student will gain knowledge in optical measurement methods, medical image processing, development of computational models, and clinical application of technology. The doctoral studies will also include interdisciplinary work as well as work in a clinical environment. The student will participate in mandatory doctoral courses. The results are expected to form the basis of a doctoral thesis.

The position is full-time for 48 months. The proposed starting date is June 1, 2025, or upon agreement.

We offer
Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: Work at Lund University

Work description
The project constitutes a central part of a larger initiative focused on non-invasive skin tumor diagnostics. Over the past seven years, various optical measurement methods have been acquired and further developed within the group, resulting in a substantial amount of data that now requires thorough analysis. The aim is to generate new images that can form the basis for more accurate diagnoses. Previous proof-of-concept studies have shown that machine learning has great potential to reduce subjective interpretation, allowing for a more automated approach, which is essential for actual clinical use. Therefore, the project will focus on developing and implementing different machine learning models for various types of skin tumors (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) with the purpose of bringing non-invasive diagnostics closer to clinical implementation. The project will place strong emphasis on the development of computational models, with the overarching goal of paving the way for more personalized and precision-oriented diagnostics.

Qualifications

Necessary qualifications for the job

• A minimum of 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits must be at the advanced level
• A completed degree project in computational science related to physics or another subject relevant to the project
• Experience in programming with Python or MATLAB
• Previous work involving machine learning and analysis of clinical imaging data
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both Swedish and English
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Strong analytical skills
• Experience working with scientific texts
• Comfort working in a clinical environment
• Excellent and clear communication skills to convey ideas and results to non-specialists

Meritorious are:

• Education related to mathematics or statistics
• Experience in skin tumor diagnostics
• Experience in developing mathematical models
• Previous experience working in a clinical environment

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad. The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

How to apply
Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!

The Department of Clinical Sciences Lund is one of six departments at the Faculty of Medicine. Clinical Sciences Lund cooperates closely with Skåne University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine in order to optimize the conditions for preclinical and clinical translational research, research strategies and development, as well as education on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.