About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate at the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine.

The research team is cross-disciplinary and is a collaboration between NTNU, St. Olav’s Hospital and SINTEF.

The PhD fellow will develop and validate machine learning techniques for automatic assessment of digital breast cancer tissue sections. The main goal is to achieve more patient specific management through improved prognostic differentiation in breast cancer and to provide a deeper understanding of the pathology of the disease. 

The basis of the project will be digitized whole slide images from established, large, well-described cohorts of breast cancer patients and existing software developed as part of the project (see https://github.com/SINTEFMedtek/FAST-Pathology).

This position is a fixed term, full time (100 %) position for three years starting in autumn 2021.

The position offers challenging and varied tasks in an environment characterised by active, committed and skilled researchers.

Duties of the position

• Develop and validate machine learning techniques to improve tissue segmentation, prediction of biological properties and prognostic differentiation in breast cancer based on digitized whole slide images. This will include data management, methods development, image analysis, programming, validation and testing in close collaboration with other team members.
• Work in a cross-disciplinary team including clinical and technological faculty and researchers, lab technicians and medical/engineering students.
• Write scientific journal articles and present the results at scientific conferences and in popular media.
• Fulfil the requirements for the degree of PhD at NTNU within the specified time period.

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, statistics, medical technology, biomedical engineering or similar with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

Other required selection criteria

• basic knowledge in image analysis
• basic knowledge in machine learning/deep learning
• experience with programming in Python
• good written and oral English  language skills

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

Preferred selection criteria

• experience with C++

Personal characteristics

• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in a cross-disciplinary team.
• A strong interest in medical research.

Motivation and personal aptitude for this position will be taken into consideration.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 482 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Medicine and Health Sciences (www.ntnu.edu/studies/phmedhv) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 15 works)
• Name and address of three referees

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

Applicants from non-European countries where English is not the official language must present an official language test report. The following tests can be used: TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE).

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Marit Valla, e-mail: marit.valla@ntnu.no, telephone: 00 47 40 45 34 04 and/or Senior research scientist / Associate professor Ingerid Reinertsen, e-mail: ingerid.reinertsen@sintef.no telephone: 00 47 90 21 21 59. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Vebjørn F. Andreassen, e-mail: vebjorn.andreassen@ntnu.no, telephone: 00 47 73 41 25 77

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

Application deadline: 26.1.2021

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM):

The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM) is NTNU’s largest department, with 450 employees. Our research and teaching help to improve treatment and health.

IKOM has expertise in basic, clinical and translational research within broad disciplinary areas. We study children’s and women’s health, cancers, blood disorders and infectious diseases, gastroenterology, inflammation, metabolic disorders, laboratory sciences and medical ethics. The Department offers teaching in medicine at master’s and PhD level. We also offer continuing education for employees in the health services.

Deadline 26th January 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Project
Place of service