Call for PhD and PostDoc Fellows to Develop Machine Learning Approaches for Personalized Cancer Screening

Simula’s mission is to solve important and fundamental problems of science and engineering, with the main goal of improving 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. In short, “we hire the best people, those who arepersonally driven to push boundaries and innovate - and then we give them the tools, space and freedom to do just that.” (CEO, Prof. Aslak Tveito)

Learn more about working at Simula at Simula.no/careers

Project Description

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A large proportion of these incidents are preventable. For example, a mass-screening program against cervical cancer established in the Nordic countries has demonstrated a reduction in morbidity and mortality almost by 80 %. Despite this success, it remains a major challenge to improve the screening program, such as minimize overscreening and undertreatment, and hence reduce expenditure in a broad public health perspective.

Current knowledge about the disease together with a wealth of available data and modern technologies can offer far better personalized prevention, by deriving an individual-based time till the next screening.

By intelligent use of existing registries and health data, the DeCipher project aims to develop a data-driven framework to provide a personalized time-varying risk assessment for cancer initiation and identify subgroups of individuals and factors leading to similar disease progression. Specifically, the following two sub-projects will be investigated:

1. Development of matrix factorization approaches for reconstruction of individualized disease trajectories from longitudinal screening data (PhD/PostDoc fellow)
2. Development of data fusion approaches based on matrix and tensor factorizations for joint analysis of longitudinal screening data with survey and other relevant health data (PhD/Postdoc fellow)

The project is performed in collaboration between SimulaMet, Cancer Registry of Norway, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and Karolinska University Hospital. The project combines the unique Norwegian and Swedish registry data including extensive screening histories and epidemiological expertise, with LLNL’s exceptional HPC computing infrastructure, data analysis and modelling experience, and with Simula’s expertise in machine learning methodology.

Candidate Profile

PhD or PostDoc Fellow for Development of Matrix Factorization Approaches. We consider interested candidates who have a degree in applied mathematics, computer science or related disciplines such as statistics, signal processing.

Other required qualifications include

• strong background in optimization, machine learning, signal processing and numerical linear algebra with a proven track of record,
• experience in developing novel machine learning methods and applying them to real-life problems,
• previous experience with matrix factorization is a plus,
• ability to carry interdisciplinary research,
• fluency in MATLAB and/or Python.
• an average GPA of at least B in Bachelor and Masters for a PhD applicant.

Contact person:

• Valeriya Naumova (valeriya@simula.no)

PhD or PostDoc Fellow for Developing & Applying Data Fusion Methods. We consider interested candidates who have a BS and MS degree in computer science, electrical engineering, statistics, applied mathematics, bioinformatics, with top grades.

Other required qualifications include

• strong background in numerical linear algebra, optimization, and data mining proved by publications,
• previous experience with matrix factorizations,
• willingness to carry out interdisciplinary research,
• fluency in MATLAB and/or Python,
• an average GPA of at least B in Bachelor and Masters for a PhD applicant.

Contact person:

• Evrim Acar (evrim@simula.no)

The candidates will also have to demonstrate an excellent level of spoken and written English, possess good interpersonal and communication skills and show willingness to work as part of an international team. Both hiring institutions strive to achieve a good balance between male and female employees, and women are particularly encouraged to apply.

We offer

• 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.
• High-standard facilities and offices located in Oslo.
• 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.

Application requirements

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following:

• Curriculum vitae summarizing education, positions and academic or industrial work, scientific publications
• A cover letter explaining the candidate’s background, qualifications, research interests
• Contact information of three references (including the main supervisor)
• Academic transcripts
• Research statement of max. two pages for PostDoc applicants

Applications can only be submitted via our online system, applications submitted by email will not be considered.

Applications deadline

Feb 15 2020.

Applications will be screened continuously and a decision will be made as soon as we find the right candidate.

Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering 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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