PhD Candidate: AI Implementation in Pathology
Leiden University Medical Center
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Job summary
Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) invites applications for a PhD candidate position researching the clinical implementation of an AI model within the POLARIX consortium. The four-year project aims to make POLARIX reliable, effective and suitable for routine diagnostics in a multidisciplinary environment.
You will work with pathologists, gynaecologists, radiation oncologists, AI researchers, data scientists and health economists to translate AI developments into clinical practice, while
Qualifications
- Completed university degree in Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Technical Medicine, Data Science, AI, Health Sciences or comparable field.
- Demonstrable interest in AI and its applications in medicine.
- Basic understanding of deep learning and/or computer vision.
- Good spoken and written English; international collaboration essential.
Responsibilities
- Refining and validating the POLARIX model and investigating its performance and robustness across different patient populations and healthcare settings.
- Designing, coordinating and conducting the prospective silent trial, including research into decision thresholds and implementation strategies.
- Maintaining contact with national and international consortium partners and explaining the AI model's capabilities and limitations.
- Investigating acceptance, cost‑effectiveness and clinical and organisational requirements for implementation, preparing POLARIX for routine diagnostics.
Skills
Education
Job description
Within the POLARIX consortium, you will play a central role in researching the clinical implementation of an existing AI model. The four-year project focuses on making POLARIX reliable, effective and suitable for routine diagnostics. Collaboration with pathologists, gynaecologists, radiation oncologists, AI researchers, data scientists, methodologists and health economists is an essential part of the work. Bringing together different perspectives and reaching shared decisions will help move the project towards clinical application.
Within the POLARIX consortium, you will play a central role in researching the clinical implementation of an existing AI model. The four-year project focuses on making POLARIX reliable, effective and suitable for routine diagnostics. Collaboration with pathologists, gynaecologists, radiation oncologists, AI researchers, data scientists, methodologists and health economists is an essential part of the work. Bringing together different perspectives and reaching shared decisions will help move the project towards clinical application.
- Refining and validating the POLARIX model and investigating its performance and robustness across different patient populations and healthcare settings.
- Helping to design, coordinate and conduct the prospective silent trial, including research into decision thresholds and implementation strategies.
- Maintaining contact with national and international consortium partners and clearly explaining the capabilities and limitations of the AI model.
- Investigating the acceptance, cost-effectiveness and clinical and organisational requirements for implementation, while preparing POLARIX for use in routine diagnostics.
You will publish research findings in international scientific journals and present them at international conferences. This combination of research and collaboration offers the opportunity to contribute directly to translating AI into clinical practice.
You will work in the Department of Pathology at LUMC, in an internationally oriented research group in the fields of gynaecological pathology, digital pathology and translational oncology.
POLARIX is explicitly a multidisciplinary project. You will therefore work closely with colleagues from the Departments of Pathology, Gynaecology and Radiotherapy, and with researchers from the Department of Medical Decision Making. In addition, the project has a strong international character, through collaboration with several centres abroad.
How do we make these technological developments truly relevant for patients?
Curiosity about new technologies and their applications in medicine is essential for this project. Complex research questions require a careful, analytical and structured approach. Working independently comes naturally, while collaboration with experts from different disciplines is equally important. Clear communication, active listening and the ability to connect different perspectives will help you contribute to shared decisions. An interest in the reliable and responsible implementation of existing technologies in clinical practice is particularly valuable.
- A completed university degree in Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Technical Medicine, Data Science, AI, Health Sciences or a comparable field.
- A demonstrable interest in AI and its applications in medicine.
- A basic understanding of deep learning and/or computer vision and their applications.
- Good spoken and written English skills, essential for international collaboration.
Experience in programming or developing deep learning models is an advantage, but not a requirement. A background in oncology, pathology, medical decision making, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) or implementation science is also relevant. More important is the ability to critically evaluate AI developments and translate them into clinical practice.
Driven by health; that is our mission. This applies not only to our patients, but also to our employees. We strive to provide a safe, inclusive and equitable working environment where talent development and collaborative leadership are central. To support continuous learning and professional development, we offer internal training and further education opportunities.
In addition, our employment benefits include an annual year-end bonus (8.3%), holiday allowance, a bicycle scheme, a sports allowance, a working-from-home allowance and an excellent commuting reimbursement scheme.
As an LUMC employee, you will also participate in the ABP pension scheme. LUMC pays 70% of your pension contributions, leaving you with a higher net salary.
See all employment conditions of the LUMC.
As an academic medical centre, LUMC strives to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of society. We are committed to the highest standards in healthcare, education and international research, recognising that different perspectives are essential to achieving these goals.
Sustainability is also a key priority. We work towards a healthier future, not only for people but also for the planet. In line with these values, we aim to provide a creative and inspiring workplace where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued.
What matters to us is who you are and what you contribute, regardless of your background. Together, we are building a sustainable and inclusive future for the people around us and the world we live in. Together, we are LUMC.
- The salary for this PhD candidate position ranges from € 3,217 to € 4,077 gross per month (PhD salary scale, Dutch University Medical Centres Collective Labour Agreement). These amounts are based on full-time employment.
- This is a fixed-term position for four years, with a working week of 36 hours.
- A salary increase of 3.5% will take effect on 1 May 2027.
- This vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates. In accordance with LUMC policy, internal candidates will be given priority when qualifications are equal.
- Unsolicited recruitment services in response to this vacancy are not appreciated.
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