"Postdoc Position: Multi-Modal AI for Early Detection of Liver Cancer"

Job Description

You will develop and validate advanced AI models that integrate medical imaging, multi-modal clinical and omics data, and explainable AI (XAI) for the prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Your research will directly contribute to early detection and risk stratification in patients with liver disease. The position involves close collaboration with AI and data science specialists, radiologists, hepatologists, and healthcare professionals, requiring excellent interdisciplinary communication skills. This is a 3-year position.

This postdoctoral position is funded under the ZonMw project AI-HCC: Explainable AI for Prediction and Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, led by Dr. Maureen M.J. Guichelaar (Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medisch Spectrum Twente). The project is a joint collaboration between the University of Twente, Medisch Spectrum Twente, and partner hospitals, bringing together expertise in artificial intelligence, radiology, hepatology, and healthcare innovation. The appointment is for three years, starting on December 15, 2025.

In this project, the University of Twente is responsible for developing advanced AI models that integrate longitudinal MRI data, multi-omics profiles, and clinical variables to improve early detection and risk prediction of primary liver cancer, and you will contribute to this task as the postdoctoral researcher within our team. As postdoctoral researcher, you will be embedded in the Cognition, Data and Education (CODE) section, at University of Twente, working closely with AI specialists and data scientists. Methodologically, you will explore advanced deep learning approaches, including convolutional and transformer-based architectures, as well as methods for modeling temporal dynamics in longitudinal imaging and omics data. You will also develop explainable AI (XAI) techniques to link imaging features and molecular markers to clinically meaningful outcomes, ensuring both predictive accuracy and medical interpretability.

The clinical validation and impact of this research is driven by Medisch Spectrum Twente. You will work in close collaboration with radiologists specialized in liver imaging and hepatologists, ensuring that the developed models are aligned with clinical priorities and patient needs. Your role will involve translating technical advances into practical tools that can support diagnostic and prognostic decision-making in liver disease. This requires strong communication skills and the ability to bridge technical and clinical perspectives in daily collaboration with healthcare professionals. Through this interdisciplinary work, you will not only advance the technical frontiers of AI but also make a tangible contribution to improving patient outcomes.

This project also offers a rich interdisciplinary network in AI for health, where you will collaborate with experts from medicine, technology, and healthcare practice. This environment will support you in building your own research profile and professional network, providing valuable opportunities for your future career in both academia and applied healthcare innovation.

Requirements

You have a PhD in artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, medical image analysis, or a closely related field.

You have a strong publication record with first-author work in the domain of AI in health.

You have expertise in deep learning for medical imaging, and preferably experience with multi-modal data integration.

You have knowledge of explainable AI methods and their application to clinical problems.

You have strong skills in interdisciplinary collaboration, with the ability to communicate effectively between technical and healthcare teams.

You are fluent in English in written and spoken form; Dutch language skills are an advantage.

Conditions of Employment

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a 3-year postdoctoral position (fulltime) with mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities to promote a good work-life balance. It also includes:

• Your starting salary will be between € 4.241,- and € 4.728,- gross per month (scale 10) depending on your experience;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%;
• 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment, and a solid pension scheme;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);

Department

The CoDE section consists of teachers and researchers with backgrounds in psychology, educational science, mathematics, or computer science. We teach courses on methodology, data-analysis, and cognitive psychology. Our research focuses on data-based solutions for societal problems related to education, health, and human factors. In our teaching and research, we make use of the latest developments in measurement and (large-scale) assessment, such as neurophysiology, extended reality, eye-tracking, psychometrics, and machine learning.

Additional Information

For more information please contact dr. Maryam Amir Haeri (m.amirhaeri@utwente.nl). Please submit your application online no later than October 6, 2025. Please include: A curriculum vitae (including your publication list and one or two names of potential references); A motivation letter explaining your motivation and qualifications in relation to the expected profile.