Postdoctoral Fellowship Visual Analytics and Machine Learning for Motion Disorder Analysis 2019, University of Groningen, Netherlands

Working environment

The Movement Disorder group at the Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), is looking for a Postdoc to develop and apply visual analytics and machine learning methods for the analysis, interpretation, and classification of motion disorders. The postdoc position is embedded in the project “Next Generation Phenotyping - The next move in movement disorders”, funded by NWO/ZonMW. In this project, UMCG works together with the Bernoulli Institute (University of Groningen), the Department of Information and Computing Sciences (University of Utrecht), the department of radiology UMCG, and ZiuZ BV.

The Movement Disorder group at the UMCG Neurology department
The Movement Disorder Group Groningen is an official national expertise center and part of an European Reference Network. Scientific research is an important part of our work with a focus on translational research including neurophysiological and imaging studies. Many of our scientific questions arise from our daily clinical practice. This way, we are continually working on improving our patient care through clinical research. The group is part of the department of Neurology with various areas of attention such as: CVA / stroke, neuro-oncology, movement disorders, and neurotrauma. 

Job description

Hyperkinetic movement disorders are defined as excessive involuntary movements. Presently, classification of such movements is purely based on clinical definitions and thus on expert opinion. This approach can be inaccurate, variable over different experts, and expensive to perform. In this project, we aim to develop and deploy novel techniques for computer-aided diagnosis of movement disorders. For this, we will collect data from patients performing a variety of tasks (2D and 3D video; EMG; accelerometer measurements), using novel 3D motion capture and motion analysis techniques, as well as fMRI and FDG-PET brain activity scans. 

We aim to build machine learning techniques able to classify different types of hyperkinetic movement disorders based on the collected data. Additionally, we aim to build visual analysis tools to support medical professionals in understanding the computer-assisted diagnosis, and also in refining the accuracy and performance of the underlying machine learning techniques. 

The advertised postdoc position will be responsible for the research and development work involved in both machine learning and visual analytics components of the project, as well as for participating in the scientific dissemination of the project’s results via journal and conference publications. Data collection activities and technical infrastructure are jointly provided to the project by UMCG and ZiuZ BV. Finally, data interpretation and patient diagnosis is performed by UMCG and external neurology specialists from collaborating medical centers.

What do we need

We are looking for a motivated young researcher who is interested to build a future career at the crossroads of machine learning and visual analytics, with applications in medical science (neurology). The ideal candidate meets the following requirements:

• PhD in Computer Science, (Applied) Physics, Biomedical Engineering, or related disciplines. Candidates who have not yet obtained their PhD, but are close to completing this process, are also invited to apply.
• Demonstrated experience with machine learning, deep learning, feature engineering, and analysis of high-dimensional and/or time-dependent data.
• Experience in programming, preferably in Python and/or C/C++.
• Experience with 3D motion analysis and human motion tracking is of strong added value.
• Experience with information visualization and visual analytics is of strong added value.
• Excellent team player, thorough in documentation, clear in communication.
• Affinity with, and interest for, research at the crossroads of Computer Science and Medical Science.
• Fluent in English and/or Dutch.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position.

In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

What do we offer

• A fulltime position (36 hours) at the UMCG for five years.
• Salary is dependent on qualifications and work experience up to a maximum of € 4.361,- (scale 10) gross per month for a fulltime position.
• In addition, the UMCG offers an 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Conditions of employment are according to the Collective Labor Agreement for Medical Centers (CAO-UMC).
• Assistance in relocation to Groningen (obtaining housing) is available.4

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.