Postdoctoral Position in Machine Learning and Time-Series Analysis for COPD Precision Medicine

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculty of Engineering, Department Elektronica en informatica, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher. 

More concretely your work package contains: 

We are inviting applications for a postdoctoral researcher in data science and machine learning with a specific interest in applications to Data Driven Precision Medicine in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 

In particular, we are interested in developing a trustworthy AI-based solution that processes daily life patient data captured by a mobile app, unobtrusive sensors, clinical data, and environmental data. The goal is to predict exacerbations and assess health outcomes, informing patients and caregivers of the patient's health status and lifestyle indications. This will allow caregivers to perform early, personalized treatment and provide individual patient education. The project emphasizes a hybrid paper-digital approach to support digitally illiterate patients.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our interdisciplinary team. The successful candidate will have a strong background in machine learning, deep learning, and time-series analysis and will contribute to designing and implementing AI-based solutions for COPD management and coaching. The position will involve close collaboration with COPD specialists, data scientists, and other stakeholders to ensure the project’s success.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct research and development in machine learning, deep learning, explainable AI and time-series analysis applied to COPD data.
• Develop predictive models for predicting exacerbations and health outcomes.
• Create AI-based solutions for personalized health management and education (coach).
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and developers.
• Prepare and publish high-quality research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Organize and participate in project meetings, present research findings, and contribute to project reports.
• Contribute to the educational assignments of the research group.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• PhD in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Bio-Engineering, or related fields.

• An excellent academic record with publications in top-tier scientific journals and conference proceedings;
• Research experience in, or a strong connection with, machine learning, deep learning, and time-series analysis is necessary.
• Demonstrated experience in applying machine learning and deep learning techniques to electronic health records (EHR), focusing on improving patient outcomes and healthcare processes is preferred.
• Strong and demonstrated computer programming skills.
• Expertise with deep learning frameworks is preferred (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras).
• Excellent command of English (both written and oral).
• Strong writing skills demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and mentoring skills, and a real team player.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a contract, for an assignment of 1 FTE, for 24 months (extendable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/10/2024. 

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 15/09/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Nikos Deligiannis at nikolaos.deligiannis@vub.be or on +32 (0)2 629 1683.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.