PhD student in data science and AI-based predictive models

Would you like to help shape the data-driven surgical research of the future? The Surgical Department at Odense University Hospital – Svendborg Hospital is seeking an ambitious PhD stipendiat with a strong profile in data science and mathematics. In this project you will play a central role in the development and testing of advanced AI-based predictive models to be applied to real clinical data and contribute to improving patient pathways and treatment quality.

As a PhD student you will be part of an interdisciplinary environment with clinicians, researchers and data experts, where there is a short path from idea to applied research – and where your models can make a tangible difference for surgical patients.

About the department The Surgical Department, Odense University Hospital – Svendborg Hospital, handles both elective and acute surgical care and has an active and growing research environment. The department works closely with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark and several national and international partners.

In the Surgical Research Unit there is a particular focus on data-driven surgery, applied clinical research and development of new methods, including the use of artificial intelligence to improve patient pathways and treatment quality.

About the position We are seeking a PhD stipendiat with a strong background in data science, mathematics and research for a project focused on development and testing of AI-based predictive models in surgery.

The PhD project takes as its starting point clinical and paraclinical data from surgical patients and aims to develop, validate and explore the possibilities for implementation of predictive models that can support clinical decision-making processes. You will join an interdisciplinary team with clinicians and researchers.

Enrollment will take place at a relevant PhD school at the University of Southern Denmark, and a final project description will be developed in collaboration between you, the supervisory team and the department.

Tasks As PhD stipendiat your primary tasks will be to

• Plan and carry out the PhD project in collaboration with supervisors and the research group
• Develop and further develop AI-based predictive models based on clinical datasets
• Work with methods in machine learning and statistical modeling, including model training, validation and evaluation
• Conduct robust evaluation of models (performance, bias/variance, generalizability and fairness)
• Handle and analyze larger and more complex datasets from clinical registries, journal systems and research databases
• Document methods and results, ensure reproducibility and contribute to considerations on implementation in clinical practice
• Disseminate results through scientific articles, PhD thesis, conferences and internal professional forums
• There will be teaching and supervision tasks as part of the research environment's activities.

Qualifications To be considered, we expect that you have

• A relevant master's degree (e.g., cand.scient.) with focus on data science or mathematics
• Documented experience with quantitative research, e.g., via a thesis, research project or prior employment
• Solid experience with programming and data analysis, preferably in Python and/or R
• Familiarity with methods in machine learning, statistical modeling and/or artificial intelligence
• Good collaboration skills and desire to work across disciplines

It is an advantage if you

• Have experience working with health data, clinical databases or registry research
• Have knowledge of data protection, personal data rules and research ethics
• Have experience communicating research results, e.g., publications or presentations at conferences

We offer

• A strong, interdisciplinary research environment with close linkage to clinical practice
• Access to relevant clinical data and infrastructure for development and testing of advanced AI models
• Close supervision and professional sparring from both clinical and technical/research-oriented supervisors
• Opportunity to participate in national and international research networks and conferences
• An working environment with high professionalism, informal tone and focus on developing both PhD stipendiates and more experienced researchers

Salary and Terms The position is 37 hours per week.

Start date by agreement.

Main workplace is on OUH's campus in Svendborg, but there will also be workdays in Odense.

The appointment as PhD stipendiat at OUH is time-limited to 2 years and requires enrollment at the relevant PhD school at the University of Southern Denmark. Salary and terms follow the applicable collective agreement for academics in the regions. The starting salary for the position can be found via the following link: See starting salary for positions in the Region of Southern Denmark .

Interested? If you want to know more about the position you can contact Secretariat and Development Manager Lasse Kaalby Møller at phone 2449 7415 or email [email protected].

We expect to conduct interviews in week 46.

On OUH’s website , Instagram, Facebook and Linked-in you can read more about the department