Prostate Cancer – Linking MRI and Molecular Features for Improved Characterization

We are looking for a motivated person who is interested in joining our team as a PhD student at The Cancer Imaging and Multi-Omics Research Group (CIMORe – former MR Cancer Group) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

We at CIMORe focus on the use of medical imaging and molecular analyses to diagnose cancer and to understand its underlying functional and metabolic characteristics. Our overall aim is to contribute to improved and patient-tailored management of the disease. Our translational approach to cancer research benefits from the close integration between NTNU and St. Olavs University Hospital.

The candidate will be a part of the interdisciplinary team in PROPERMED (Prostate cancer – Personalized medicine powered by MRI and AI), a research project funded by NTNU Health. The aim of the project is to bring decision support tools based on AI for personalized medicine in prostate cancer closer to clinical implementation. Despite an immense potential, only a minority AI based solutions are manifested in clinical use. PROPERMED targets this through a holistic approach, with clear synergies between 1) technical AI development, 2) prospective clinical testing, 3) and evaluation of its societal impact. The project funds 4 PhD positions, which will work in close collaboration together with strong research groups at Dept. of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Dept. of Computer Science, Dept. of Education and Lifelong Learning, and Dept. of Public Health and Nursing at NTNU.

The main tasks of the successful candidate will be to develop a framework for radiogenomics, linking features from MRI and molecular analyses from a large cohort of prostate cancer patients already recruited at NTNU/St. Olavs Hospital. Extracting and combining features related to heterogeneity and inflammation will be of particular importance, aiming to identify radiogenomic signatures that better differentiate high- and low-risk prostate cancer. This position requires interest in and experience from bioinformatics/image analysis.

• You must have a professionally relevant background such as a Master of Science in bioinformatics, biophysics, biomedical engineering, molecular biology or medical technology
• Documented experience in data/image analysis
• Documented programming skills in Python (or similar)
• Documented experience in molecular biology
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master’s level, or a Norwegian MB
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master’s degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program
• Good written and oral English language skills.
• Preferred start in this position is from April 2023

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

• Experience in medical statistics
• Experience from interdisciplinary teamwork
• Interest in science communication to peers and public
• Motivation for the position

• Enthusiastic and highly motivated
• Good team player and collaborative skills but also the ability to work independently.
• Good work ethics, management and organisational skills

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 501 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Medical Technology (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phmedt ) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and 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 to NTNU.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

• CV and list of publications (certificates)
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not completed the master’s degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master’s thesis. If you recently have submitted your master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Name and contact information of three referees
• A list of publications or other relevant research work (if applicable)

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor’s and master’s education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.