Postdoc Fellow - Use of AI in Kidney Disease

About Our Postdoc Program:

We're currently looking for talented scientists to join our innovative academic-style Postdoc program. From our centre in Gothenburg, Sweden, you'll be in a global pharmaceutical environment, contributing to live projects right from the start. You'll take part in a comprehensive training programme, including a focus on drug discovery and development, given access to our existing Postdoctoral research, and encouraged to pursue your own independent research in cutting edge laboratories. It's a newly expanding programme spanning a range of therapeutic areas across a wide range of disciplines.



What's more, you'll have the support of a leading academic advisor, who'll provide you with the guidance and knowledge you need to develop your career. This is an exciting area that hasn't been explored to its full potential, making this an opportunity to make a real difference to the future of medical science.



About the Position:

This is a unique opportunity to develop and apply novel AI/deep learning technology in a field in huge medical need. The candidate will have access to unique preclinical and clinical databases and will collaborate with internationally recognized industrial and academic experts in the fields of kidney disease and artificial intelligence.



The project involves applying graph-based learning methods on complex data sets acquired in experimental models of chronic kidney disease. The data sets consist of biomarkers from urine and blood, as well as advanced in vivo imaging data such as micro-CT. The data will be used to build models to improve outcome prediction. A set of similar data from patients with kidney disease will be added and transfer learning methods will be applied to the graph model, to explore translatability to humans



Essential Education and Experience:

* Ph.D. (or near to completion) in a relevant subject, like machine learning, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a closely related field.
* Expert knowledge in mathematical subjects like graphical models, Bayesian learning, linear algebra, probability theory, calculus, differential equations etc.
* Fluency in written and spoken English
* Successful experience working flexibly, independently, and in a dynamic team environment



Desirable Qualifications:

* Expertise and strong analytical background in a core area of mathematics and/or machine learning, including but not limited to deep learning
* A publication record in mathematics and statistical learning, deep learning, or relevant applications, with primary author articles in high-impact conferences and journals
* Proven expert experience in programming in a language relevant to the project like Python, R, Matlab, etc.
* Application of machine learning to relevant scientific problems, preferably experience in designing learning methods on graphs and manifolds (geometric deep learning)
* Basic knowledge and interest in biological processes, medical research and drug development



Skills and Capabilities required:

* Showing creativity, daring to take risks in proving hypotheses
* Excellent team worker and good leadership capabilities
* Great networker, maintaining and expanding contacts with leading machine learning groups
* Ability to extract and model from large biological and medical data sets
* Openness to interacting closely with the scientists and clinicians who will validate your models
* Drive to present results in high-impact journals and conferences



This is a 3-year programme. 2 years will be a Fixed Term Contract, with a 1 year extension which will be merit based. The role will be based in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a competitive salary on offer



Advert Open Date: February 5, 2021

Advert Closing Date: April 1, 2021



About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives - and are made to feel valued, energised and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.