Postdoctoral Fellow in Data Science

Ref. No. SU FV-4891-20

at The Department of Computer and Systems Sciences. Closing date: 31 January 2021.

The Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) is Sweden’s oldest and largest IT department and one of the largest departments at Stockholm University. DSV offers a stimulating research environment and strong research groups in several areas of computer and systems sciences. The department is located in the Kista campus and has approximately 190 employees and around 5000 students.

Project description

The project aims to develop multimodal prediction models for diagnosis and prognosis of disease progression based on heterogeneous data in electronic health records. In particular, natural language processing (NLP) allows unstructured data in the form of clinical text to be leveraged and combined with structured data to create more effective models.

The project will focus on developing machine learning models, primarily in the form of deep neural networks, for early prediction and outcome prediction, which are critical in facilitating timely interventions and improving allocation of healthcare resources. The project will focus on investigating multimodal prediction models for two infectious diseases with high urgency and impact: COVID-19 and sepsis.

The project has access to clinical data spanning over 10 years from Karolinska University Hospital, which is available through two data platforms at DSV, Stockholm University and the Clinical Epidemiology Division, Karolinska University Hospital.

The project is a collaboration between Stockholm University, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital.

Main responsibilities

The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to the research project by developing multimodal machine learning models for diagnosis and prognosis, including early prediction models for sepsis and outcome prediction models for COVID-19. Responsibilities include contributing to study design and cohort creation, developing and evaluating prediction models, as well as publishing and presenting research results. The work will be done in collaboration with other project members.

In addition, the position may involve teaching duties of up to 20%.

Qualification requirements

Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria

The degree should have been completed no more than three years before the deadline for applications. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances, which may involve sick leave, parental leave, clinical attachment, elected positions in trade unions, or similar.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills. In addition, the following criteria will also be used for assessment:

• Knowledge of data science, natural language processing and machine learning (in particular deep learning)
• Demonstrable programming skills (Python or R) and basic knowledge of databases (SQL)
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English; knowledge of Swedish is a merit but not required
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate in a multidisciplinary project with other researchers and practitioners
• Experience in the following areas are also highly relevant and desirable: medical data analysis, multimodal learning, transfer learning, multitask learning.

Terms of employment

The position involves full-time employment for a maximum of two years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2021-03-01 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from the project leader: Assistant Professor Aron Henriksson, telephone: +46 766 27 06 73, aronhen@dsv.su.se.

Union representatives

Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application

Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

Closing date: 31/01/2021