Postdoctoral Researcher in AI for Understanding Visual Narratives

Unist; Tilburg; Hybrid; EUR 40,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Home working allowance (€2 p/day)

Internet allowance (€25 p/month)

Pension through ABP

8 weeks vacation leave

Annual bonus and salary scale 10 UFO

Job summary

Tilburg University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence within the Center of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence. The project focuses on advancing AI tools to analyze Rich Pictures used in palliative care research in collaboration with Amsterdam UMC and Amsta Nursing Home.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team, extend AI methods, and publish findings while collaborating across disciplines in healthcare and humanities.

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science, Digital Humanities, Computer Science, or another relevant discipline.
• Have an interest in and experience with deep learning, computer vision, image analysis, and/or multimodal AI.
• Possess strong programming skills in Python and experience with relevant AI technologies, such as PyTorch and vision-language models (VLMs), as well as web development frameworks, such as Flask or Django.
• Have an interest in applying AI to human-centered research, healthcare, or other socially relevant domains.
• Be interested in working across disciplines, particularly at the intersection of AI, humanities, and healthcare.
• Have a good command of English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Extend, develop, and refine AI methods and tools to support the analysis and interpretation of Rich Pictures (RPs).
• Adapt and improve a user-friendly interface that makes the AI tools accessible to researchers and healthcare professionals.
• Collaborate closely with humanities researchers and healthcare professionals at Amsterdam UMC and other project partners.
• Publish research findings in scientific journals and present results at national and international conferences.

Skills

Deep learning

Computer vision

Image analysis

Multimodal AI

Strong programming

Education

PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science, Digital Humanities or CS

Tools

Python

PyTorch

Flask

Django

Job description

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science

Computer science » Programming

Organisation/Company Tilburg University Research Field Medical sciences » Medicine Psychological sciences » Cognitive science Computer science » Programming Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 1 Dec 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 36.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Center of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University (TiU) is looking for an enthusiastic new colleague in the domains of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The postdoc will contribute to the research project “Advancing Research in Palliative Care: Employing Rich Pictures”, a collaboration between Tilburg University, Amsterdam UMC and Amsta Nursing Home. In this project, you will collaborate with prof. dr. Hanneke van Laarhoven, head of the Department of Medical Oncology at Amsterdam UMC and her team.

Little is known about the existential concerns of patients in the palliative phase of life. Discussing one's life in this phase can be difficult for patients. Visual aids, like 'Rich Pictures' (RPs), can facilitate this and bring to light concerns that might not otherwise be discussed. RPs can also illustrate changes over time, for instance, after an intervention. Thus, they can also serve as a new research instrument. However, RP analysis is highly labor-intensive and challenging due to the variability in drawing styles, the numerous elements and their complex relationships, and the implicit meanings of specific symbols. By accelerating RP analysis with AI, RPs can also be used as a measurement tool in large-scale research and clinical practice.

Your position
The postdoc will play a key role in the research team. The key responsibilities include:

• Extend, develop, and refine AI methods and tools to support the analysis and interpretation of Rich Pictures (RPs).
• Adapt and improve a user-friendly interface that makes the AI tools accessible to researchers and healthcare professionals.
• Collaborate closely with humanities researchers and healthcare professionals at Amsterdam UMC and other project partners.
• Publish research findings in scientific journals and present results at national and international conferences.

We welcome applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, and orientations.

Your profile
The successful candidate should:

• Hold a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science, Digital Humanities, Computer Science, or another relevant discipline.
• Have an interest in and experience with deep learning, computer vision, image analysis, and/or multimodal AI.
• Possess strong programming skills in Python and experience with relevant AI technologies, such as PyTorch and vision-language models (VLMs), as well as web development frameworks, such as Flask or Django.
• Have an interest in applying AI to human-centered research, healthcare, or other socially relevant domains.
• Be interested in working across disciplines, particularly at the intersection of AI, humanities, and healthcare.
• Have a good command of English, both spoken and written.

Additional Information

Our offer
Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• Employment of 0.8 – 0.,9 fte (32-36 hours per week).
• Salary between €3,546 and €4,728 gross per month for full‑time employment (UFO-profile researcher 4, salary scale 10). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year‑end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
• Reimbursement sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
• Options model for additional leave, pension, a bicycle or personal training.
• Moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).
• Pension through ABP.
• Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research or language courses.
• Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.
• A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.

The selection committee consists of:
Dr. Juan Sebastian Olier, Assistant Professor
Dr. Samaneh Khoshrou, Assistant Professor
Dr. Sharon Ong, Assistant Professor

This vacancy has been published simultaneously internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate.

The starting date of this position is 1 February 2027 or soon after.

The first selection interviews will take place after 10 December 2026.