Research Assistant—Predicting progression of Alzheimer's Disease

The data science and AI division at CSE is recruiting a research assistant for a project in AI and Missingness in Diagnostics for Alzheimer’s Disease funded by Chalmers AI Research Centre (CHAIR).

Information about the project
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease estimated to be the root cause of up to 70% of dementia cases. Due to the high lethality and severe impact on quality of life, early detection and possible treatments are the focus of many active research projects world-wide. A central hypothesis has been that formation of plaques in the brain is both a disease marker and causal mechanism for Alzheimer's. However, only a weak link has been established between plaque formation and the degree of dementia.

An ongoing CHAIR-SU thesis project, AI4CDAD, demonstrated the feasibility of predicting Alzheimer’s progression from readily available clinical variables using machine learning applied to the ADNI dataset. It also identified significant challenges in dealing with missing values in collected data. This project intends to advance the handling of real data with missing values, in an application to AD progression modelling, through three main aims: 1) Exploring the limits for statistical imputation of clinical time-series data using the ADNI AD data set. 2) Developing expert-in-the-loop methods for identification of proxy relations between features. 3) Applying temporal latent space models to model disease dynamics.

The project is a collaboration between Chalmers University of Technology and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry at University of Gothenburg.

Job description
The research assistant is expected to provide data-science support for the researchers in the project, focusing primarly to satisfy the project's first and second aims: 1) Exploring the limits for statistical imputation of clinical time-series data using the ADNI AD data set. 2) Developing expert-in-the-loop methods for identification of proxy relations between features. The role of the RA is primarly focused on (1) gathering and processing biomedical data (2) implementing and training machine learning models in Python, and (3) support collaboration with clinical collaborators.

Contract terms
Temporary employment. The employment is expected to begin January 10 and end May 10.

Your qualifications
Applicants must have a background in computer science, mathematics, signal processing, physics or related fields, and experience in machine learning and in analyzing biomedical data. They must have obtained a Master's degree or a 4-year Bachelor's degree in one of these fields, or expect to complete that degree by the time the employment starts. Knowledge of Swedish is not a prerequisite for applying since English is our working language for research.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Name, Ref 20200572  and be attached as PDF files, as below:

CV

Personal letter

Other documents (optional):
• Copies of completed education, grades etc. Two references that we can contact should be provided at a possible interview.

Please use the button at the bottom of the page to reach the application form.

Application deadline: 14 December, 2020

For questions, please contact:
redrik Johansson, CSE DSAI, fredrik.johansson@chalmers.se
Alexander Schliep, CSE DSAI, alexander.schliep@cse.gu.se

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!