Aortic dissection (AD) is a serious and life-threatening condition that demands immediate attention and often requires emergency surgical intervention. Advances in diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques have significantly improved outcomes, but timely recognition and determination of the specific treatment remain paramount.

Higher incidence of AD in previous years can be attributed to the aging population and the higher prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Also, detection of AD has become easier due to improvements in imaging technology and more widespread use of advanced diagnostic tools like computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). State-of-the-art 4D flow MRI techniques have recently been developed to create a dynamic, time-resolved representation of blood flow, and could be imperative for enhanced understanding of patient outcomes following AD.

This research project will focus on machine learning models that predict post-surgery outcomes in patients with aortic dissection. Based on clinical data, imaging and surgical procedures as well as clinical notes, we aim to predict outcomes following AD (e.g. mortality, length of stay, complications) and ultimately improve clinical decision-making as well as surgical procedures in patients with AD.

As a PhD candidate, you are eager to design, implement, and evaluate machine learning (ML) models to predict post-surgery outcomes in patients with aortic dissection. This will improve treatment and clinical decision making, and predict follow-up with aortic growth. Specifically you will:

• Assess how surgical procedures affect post-surgical outcomes and use state-of-the-art techniques to model individual aortic growth.
• Develop ML models, which you will validate internally using prospective data and externally using data from other hospitals.
• Work in a cross-disciplinary team consisting of medical professionals, surgeons, cardiologists, computer scientists, and other PhD and post-doctoral students and have the opportunity to work with experts on medical imaging.
• Develop novel tools to improve clinical decision making in cardiothoracic surgery based on clinical, imaging and patient outcome data.

We are looking for an excellent and highly motivated PhD student with the following prerequisites:

• Master's degree in artificial intelligence, data science, technical medicine or medicine.
• Ambition to perform translational projects in combination with AI and clinical research.
• Strong motivation to investigate the field of aortic/heart surgery.
• Highly motivated with a proactive and independent mindset.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of working in multidisciplinary environments.
• Affinity with data analysis, good programming skills (Python and/or R) and experience with ML and/or advanced image analysis techniques (e.g. computer vision).
• Good command of English, both spoken and written.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for the duration of the project (4 years) with a probation period of 12 months.
• PhD students (including Technical medicine graduates) are placed in the OIO scale: € 3.017 to € 3.824 gross for full-time employment (depending on education and experience). Medical Doctors are placed in scale 10: € 3.824 to € 5.504 gross for full-time employment (depending on education and experience). Calculate your net salary here.
• Besides a good salary you will receive an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance.
• Holiday hours: 186,4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Amsterdam UMC

You will be appointed at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam. The cardiothoracic surgery group has a large experience in AD treatment, overseeing 55 patients per year, and closely collaborates with the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine department.

You will be supervised by dr. Antoine Driessen, prof. Henk Marquering, dr. Stephan van der Zwaard, and prof. Robert Klautz. You will be supervised by dr. Antoine Driessen, dr. Stephan van der Zwaard, prof. Henk Marquering and prof. Robert Klautz. Dr. Driessen is a cardiothoracic surgeon with a large experience in aortic surgery, especially emergency. Dr. Van der Zwaard is a data architect and data scientist with a background in movement and data sciences, and expertise in data infrastructure and machine learning. Prof. Marquering is a professor in translational AI especially bringing together automated measurements in radiologic images using deep learning techniques. Prof. Klautz is a full professor and head of the Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.

Heart center Amsterdam UMC
The heart center of Amsterdam UMC is a dynamic center with 850 employees, making it the largest heart center in the Netherlands. High-complex data-driven care is provided with a strong focus on high-quality translational research and precision medicine. The Amsterdam heart center closely collaborates with the University of Amsterdam, the Free University of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, all part of Amsterdam AI. Within Amsterdam UMC, data science is supported by several departments, including medical informatics, health data science center, research data management, and department of epidemiology and data science.

Watch the video to find out more about employment at Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your curriculum vitae should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV referring to your education and work experience.
• a letter of motivation.
• a list of publications (e.g., the master thesis).
• examples of code written by the applicant (e.g., via a link to a github repository).
• at least one reference which can be contacted.

Only complete applications received within the response period will be considered. A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact dr. Antoine Driessen, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Amsterdam UMC, via a.h.driessen@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application process please contact Rhiannon Sandfort, Recruitment advisor, via r.e.sandfort@amsterdamumc.nl.

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.