Simula Research Laboratory AS

Simula Research Laboratory AS is a publicly owned research lab located at Fornebu, just outside of Oslo, Norway. Simula conducts Information and Communication Technology (ICT) research in the fields of scientific computing, software engineering, communication systems, machine learning and cybersecurity.

Simula's main objective is to create knowledge about fundamental scientific challenges that are of genuine value for society. This is achieved through high-quality research, education of graduate students, industry collaboration, technology transfer, and commercialization. Since 2001, scientific evaluations conducted by the Research Council of Norway has repeatedly placed Simula at the forefront of international research in ICT. The most recent in-depth evaluation was published in 2017, grading the full range of research at Simula as “excellent”.

Simula appreciates diversity. We currently employ approximately 155 individuals from 35 countries and strive to create a family-friendly working environment. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourages women to apply.

Simula has a close collaboration with leading universities in Norway and abroad, both in terms of research and education, and facilitates extended research stays abroad. Our Master's and PhD students conduct their research at Simula, and attend courses and receive their degrees from university partners.

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Simula: solving problems, making a difference.

“We hire the best people, those who are personally driven to push boundaries and innovate - and then we give them the tools, space and freedom to do just that.”

- CEO, Prof. Aslak Tveito

Simula’s mission is to solve important and fundamental problems of science and engineering, with the main goal of benefiting and advancing society. We do this by concentrating on five select research areas in ICT and performing excellent research, by developing our people, and by spinning out applicable results into profitable startups.

Learn more about working at Simula: Careers at Simula.

PhD student in Personalized Virtual Heart Models for Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Patients with Heart Failure

Project/Job description

In the department of Computational Physiology, we are now seeking a PhD candidate to work in a project funded by the Research Council of Norway regarding computational modeling of the heart. It is a 3-year position.

The prevalence of Heart Failure (HF) in Europe is 5-8% and a leading cause of hospitalizations. However, the diagnosis and management of HF patients remains a challenge. The vision of MyVirtualHF is to reshape the diagnosis and treatment of HF by the development of personalized virtual heart computer models for therapeutic decision making. This vision addresses the current lack of specificity in designing care for the individual HF patient. Current medical standards rely on imprecise and insensitive biomarkers (such as ejection fraction or ECGs) to make predictions about patient trajectory. While more invasive measurements (such as pacing induced arrhythmia) have shown promise as better outcome predictors, the high risk for complications associated with the procedures makes implementation in the clinic inadvisable. Finally, predicting an individual patient's response to therapies remain difficult. Often, drugs or procedures need to be fine-tuned or repeated in order to reach optimal therapeutic response from patient. The aim of MyVirtualHF is to address this limitation in current clinical care by developing personalized virtual heart models that can be used by physicians to non-invasively and safely diagnose and predict therapeutic response in HF patients. In order to do so, MyVirtualHF will develop efficient personalization methods that incorporate an individual HF patient's geometry, genetics, electrophysiological changes, etc. into virtual models. The heterogeneity and complexity of remodeling that occurs under HF makes personalization an inherently risky endeavor. However, the success of MyVirtualHF could lead to a paradigm shift in treating and ensuring health in HF patients.

Keywords

PhD, scientific computation, cardiology, arrhythmia, heart failure

Candidate Profile

We are looking for interested candidates who have a background in computational modeling.

Simula Offers

• Excellent opportunities for performing high quality research, as part of a highly competent and motivated team of international researchers and engineers;
• An informal and inclusive international working environment;
• Generous support for travel and opportunities to build international networks, through established collaboration with industry, exchange programs and research visits with other universities, and funding to attend conferences.
• Modern office facilities located at Fornebu by the Oslo fjord and 10 minutes' drive from the center of Oslo.
• A competitive salary. Starting salary from NOK 479.600
• Numerous benefits: access to company cabin, BabyBonus arrangements, sponsored social events, generous equipment budgets (e.g., computer, phone and subscription), subsidized canteen meals and monthly bus pass, comprehensive travel/health insurance policy, etc.
• Relocation assistance: accommodation, visas, complimentary Norwegian language courses, etc
• Administrative research support: e.g., quality assurance process for grant proposals (including RCN and EU programs).
• Wellness and work-life balance. Our employees' health and well-being is a priority and we encourage them to make use of our flexible work arrangements to help balance their work and home lives efficiently.

Simula is an equal opportunity employer, and women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following:

• A cover letter explaining the candidate's background, qualifications, research interests and how/why the candidate is qualified for the position;
• Curriculum vitae (summarizing education, positions and academic or industrial work, scientific publications, and software development experience);
• Academic transcripts including a copy of Master thesis.
• Contact information of two references, including the Master supervisor(s).

Application deadline: October 31, 2020.

Preferred starting date is December 1, 2020.

Contact

Additional enquiries regarding the position can be addressed to:

• Hermenegild Arevalo (hermenegild@simula.no, +47 477 11 449)

Simula Research Laboratory uses Semac´s background check in our recruitment process.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

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