Postdoctoral Researcher in AI-Based Risk Modelling for Early Detection of Breast Cancer and Genetic Risk (scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? 

About the position

Karolinska Institutet invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral position (scholarship) within an internationally leading research environment focused on AI-supported early detection and personalized surveillance of breast cancer.

The start date is as soon as possible.

The position is funded through a tax-exempt postdoctoral stipend, in accordance with KI regulations, with possibility of extension subject to funding and performance.

Division

The position is hosted at the Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. The research group is led by Fredrik Strand (MD PhD), breast radiologist at Karolinska University Hospital, with Apostolia Tsirikoglou (MSc PhD) as co-supervisor and technical lead.

The group conducts internationally recognized research in AI for breast imaging, early cancer detection, and quantitative risk modelling, with close integration between methodological development and clinical implementation. The environment is interdisciplinary, combining radiology, machine learning, and biostatistics, and includes strong national and international collaborations.

This postdoctoral position is part of a coordinated Early Detection initiative, together with one PhD student and one research engineer focused on model development and coding.

Duties

Project description

Breast cancer risk is only partly explained by genetics. The overarching aim of this project is to develop, evaluate, and clinically contextualize AI-based imaging risk signatures from mammography and breast MRI, and to integrate these with genetic and polygenic risk measures to support individualized surveillance strategies and earlier detection of clinically relevant cancers.

The project has strong translational relevance and is closely linked to ongoing clinical studies and infrastructure at Karolinska.

Duties

The postdoctoral researcher will take a junior scientific leadership role within the project. Duties include:

• Development, evaluation, and validation of AI-based imaging risk models
• Quantitative risk modelling, calibration, and statistical analysis
• Interpretation of results in a clinical early-detection context
• Operational supervision of a PhD student, together with formal supervisors
• Scientific coordination and mentoring of a research engineer
• Preparation of manuscripts for publication in high-impact scientific journals
• Active participation in national and international research collaborations

The position combines independent research with structured mentorship responsibilities.

Entry requirements

Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their merit in Sweden. A foreign researcher is a person living in another country who comes to Sweden with the intention of only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for scholarships. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.

A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four-year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.

To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate, or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post-doctoral education.

Qualifications:

Required qualifications

• PhD degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g. medical imaging, machine learning, biostatistics, medical physics, epidemiology, or related field)
• Strong background in quantitative data analysis and statistical reasoning
• Proficiency in Python
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Documented ability to conduct and publish independent research

Meritorious qualifications

• Experience with medical imaging data (mammography and/or breast MRI)
• Experience with risk prediction, calibration, survival analysis, or decision modelling
• Experience with AI or machine learning methods applied to medical data, specifically radiology and specifically mammography
• Previous experience supervising or mentoring junior researchers
• Strong interest in clinical translation and early cancer detection 

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Here, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.

Location: Solna

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system. Apply at the latest 21^st January.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all