PhD Position in AI-Guided Bioinformatics: Development of an Multimodal Foundation Model for Early Detection of Lung Cancer in Screening Populations

Lung cancer mortality could be drastically reduced through screening. However, lung cancer screening based solely on imaging currently lacks sufficient sensitivity and specificity for routine clinical implementation. Integrating multiple data sources—such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)—can significantly improve screening accuracy. A recent study has collected imaging, molecular, and clinical data from thousands of individuals at high risk of lung cancer in an attempt to develop a stronger classifier compared to using each data type individually. Therefore, we are seeking a PhD candidate with a strong background in AI and an interest in clinical oncology.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

• Developing a foundation model (FM) for thoracic CT scans;

• Conducting molecular analysis of sequencing data from ctDNA;

• Thoroughly evaluating large clinical datasets and assessing their relation to cancer incidence;

• Developing a multimodal classifier that integrates multiple data sources and FM embeddings to predict presence of lung cancer.

Why the Netherlands Cancer Institute?

At the Netherlands Cancer Institute, we all want the same thing: to make a difference in the world of cancer together. Quite something but not impossible. Here, science and care work together on innovation. Time and again, we find new ways to help people with cancer worldwide. Here we save lives, gain time and quality. Thanks to the latest techniques and, above all, to our finest talents who are curious, precise, warm, go-getters and team players.

Your Profile

As a PhD candidate, you will play a key role in developing a novel tool to advance lung cancer screening toward clinical implementation. To succeed, you should have experience with high-performance and parallel computing, a solid understanding of AI fundamentals, and experience with self-supervised learning. You will receive training in radiological imaging assessment and molecular oncology principles, with a focus on tumor-agnostic ctDNA testing. Ambition, motivation, and creativity will be essential for driving this project forward.

Your development opportunities and employment conditions

The basis for your employment conditions is in accordance with the CLA Hospitals. You will receive from us:

• A contract for a period of four years, for 36 hours per week, starting on October 1st;

• A gross monthly salary between €3.665,- and €4.450,-, based on a 36-hour working week, in line with the OIO scale and depending on your experience;

• 144 holiday hours and 57 hours of Personal Life Budget, with full-time employment;

• Annual holiday pay of 8.33% and a fixed end-of-year bonus of 8.33%;

• A travel allowance of €0.23 per km;

• Free parking at the Netherlandse Cancer Institute. And with our bicycle plan and discount on public transport we also make it attractive for you to leave the car at home;

• A great opportunity in a specialised hospital where you can also continue to learn and grow yourself if you wish: the AVL Academy offers innovative and inspiring education in the field of oncology professional knowledge, skills and personal development;

• Opportunity to exercise during working hours at our Fit Boutiqs;

• An active staff association.

Interested?
Apply now via the application button! Please attach your application letter, CV, and contact information for two references to the application form (link) on our website. Ensure that the reference information is included along with your cover letter, as there is no option to submit them separately. Apply by the 'Apply now' button at the bottom of the page. Take note: please respond to this vacancy only via the application button, and not via email.

For more information about the position, please contact Paul van der Leest, Postdoctoral Fellow, 020 512 9190, p.vd.leest@nki.nl.

The closing date is Friday, August 1st. The interviews will take place in the week of August 11th.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.