PhD Fellow in Computer Science

The position

An interdisciplinary PhD position is available at the Department of Computer Science at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The position is in a project where we are developing algorithms for analysing heart sounds to detect heart diseases. The project is done in collaboration with the University Hospital of North Norway and the Medsensio medtech startup. We build our algorithms using unique population study datasets from the Tromsø Study and clinical data from UNN and other hospitals. The focus of this project is therefore the development and evaluation of robust algorithms for medical devices. 

The position is for a period of three years. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree in Computer Science. Admission to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD candidate shall participate in the Faculty’s organized research training, and the PhD project shall be completed during the period of employment. The PhD fellow is expected to write research papers publishable in reputable international venues, present results at international conferences, write progress reports on the ongoing thesis project, and work constructively towards collectively defined research goals.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The project 

The PhD project address the research challenges in developing robust algorithms that analyse heart sounds to screen for valvular heart disease and heart failure. The project will have an applied focus, so the aim is to develop algorithms that can be implemented in medical devices such as smart stethoscopes. We are therefore seeking a computer scientist or similar with a strong interest and competence in practical application of statistical learning or machine learning 

Working environment:

The project will be done in an interdisciplinary team. The successful candidate will work in a research team with computer scientists, general practitioners, and cardiologists. Our overall aim is to improve heart disease screening and follow-up. We have earlier built algorithms for detection of abnormal heart sounds using the unique data in the Tromsø Study, and we are commercializing these algorithms. In a complementing PhD project, we are researching the association between abnormal sounds and heart diseases and their development over time. 

What to know more about the position?

Further information about the position is available by contacting Professor Lars Ailo Bongo: 

• phone: +4792015508
• e-mail: lars.ailo.bongo@uit.no

For administrative questions, contact Katrine Kildemo:  

• phone: +47 77 64 48 92
• email: katrine.kildemo@uit.no

We offer

• Participation in an excellent and thriving research group that has recently received several research grants in this field, and with a good track record in translating research results to practical application.
• A productive, collaborative, and stimulating environment with researchers working on cutting-edge applications of machine learning in cardiology
• Good career opportunities 
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues  
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund 
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 550 000 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase
• If you have to relocate to Tromsø then the Faculty of Science and Technology may reimburse your moving costs. Further details regarding this matter will be made available if you receive an offer from us.
• The possibility to balance professional development with a location to experience the liberating arctic nature: ski under the northern lights, hike and bike along the fjords, and ride horses in the mountains. 

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

Qualifications

This position requires:

• A master's degree or equivalent in Computer Science or another field related to statistical learning or machine learning. The master’s thesis must be included in the application. 
• Good communication skills in English and applicants must document proficiency in English equivalent to Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma.

We are looking for applicants with:

• Solid expertise in algorithm development, and strong programming skills
• Previous experience in applied machine learning, data visualization and mathematical modelling 
• Competence in software engineering and data management 
• An interest and previous experience in interdisciplinary collaboration or collaboration with industry.

We are looking for an interested, active and highly motivated candidate, who likes to explore new technologies, is both independent thinking and also enjoys working in collaboration with researchers in other fields. The position is part of an interdisciplinary project, and close interaction with other project participants will be required. 

Applicants must document proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at a minimum of level A2. If the candidate does not document proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level A2, then the doctoral fellow must complete a language course equal to 15 ECTS before the end of the fixed-term period. UiT will facilitate this.  

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration. We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position.

Candidates in the final phase of their Master study may apply as explained in the Application section below.

As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

Admission to the PhD programme 

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:  

• A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS. 

In order to gain admission to the programme, the candidate must document sufficient potential for research. The applicant must have a grade point average of C (strong 3.0) or better for the master’s degree, which must contain an independent work. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here. 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position. 

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

Application 

Your application must include: 

• Cover letter, including a 1-page summary of your motivation for applying for this position, and a description of why you are qualified for this position.
• CV (containing a complete overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work)
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works that form the basis of the evaluation of research experience.
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
• Official transcripts of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• Documentation of proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at a minimum of level A2 (if available)
• 2-3 References with contact information

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

Assessment 

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants' qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description draw up for the position. A copy of the assessment report will be sent to all applicants. 

The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position. 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants. 

The engagement is to be made in accordance with 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.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years. 

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure. 

DIVERSE INFO

Kilde: NAV stillingsannonser
https://arbeidsplassen.nav.no/stillinger/stilling/78ff65f7-0e0d-4683-9169-1dc28a5fe9d1
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https://www.jobbnorge.no/ledige-stillinger/stilling/278717