Sano PhD students

Project title: Neuroimaging analysis for surgical planning and correlation with genetics

Give us a chance to meet you
  • About us:

Sano Centre for Computational Medicine is a new International Scientific Foundation located in Kraków, Poland.

Sano aspires to be a major translational scientific institute, operating at the meeting point of academic science, established MedTech industry, and emerging start-up environment, combining the best of these three perspectives.

Established with support from the European Commission and the Foundation for Polish Science, Sano aims to be a major driving force behind the advancement of computational medicine for the benefit of healthcare systems worldwide.

Sano acts as a core technology and expertise provider for industry, and creator of innovation, developing state-of-the-art solutions for healthcare. Thanks to the substantial funding and excellent European partnership network, Sano will bring a critical mass to this transformational field of research, in order to translate scientific advancements onto clinical practice. Sano’s ambition is to become the Reference Centre for Computational Medicine in Central Europe and build a reputation as a leading center on a global level.

As a cross-disciplinary institution, Sano uses machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI), large scale computer simulations, data science, and other computational technologies towards overcoming global challenges in healthcare systems. The research agenda will be executed in close collaboration with Partners in Poland, EU and USA.

We value:

  • Passion – Passion in what we do, engagement in Sano operations, taking responsibility, providing initiative, being happy at work.
  • Innovation – Boldness in articulating and pursuing novel ideas, courage to think outside the box.
  • Integrity – Directness, openness, tolerance and respect. Scientific integrity (we do not cut corners).
  • Diversity – Diversity in backgrounds, cultures and opinions of Sano employees. Promotion of women in STEM.
  • About job:
  • Publication date: 24.08.2021
  • Closing date: 12.09.2021
  • Level of education: Master's degree
  • Hours: 40 hours per week
  • Salary indication: 7500 PLN gross monthly (raised to 8000 PLN gross following a periodic review)
  • Project start: September 2021

This project will provide methods and technologies to aid surgical planning of glioblastoma and similar diseases.

Neuroimaging has led to effective planning of the surgery preserving in functional brain areas as language and movements. However, despite the progress long and short term recovery of patients preserving relevant brain function is still challenging. Recently, new techniques have been introduced to study brain structures and function representing the brain as a graph. Moreover, to plan even more accurately surgery and patient treatment, neuroimaging could be linked to genetic information rather than just simpler clinical information.

For this project, we aim at aiding surgical planning or at least shed new insights into preserving brain areas as language. The resulting analysis will integrate complex networks analysis, clinical outcome and genetics.

We will correlated brain connectivity measures with deficit, plasticity and genetic traits.

Ultimately, a VR/AR environment combining tractography/connectomics and genomics can be developed, or related to existing reality working in this field.

  • What are you going to do?

You are expected to:

  • do original research under the direction of your supervisor;
  • participate in the many seminars by internal and external speakers as well as journal clubs and group activities;
  • collaborate with other PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and other Sano employees. You will have the opportunity to co-learn advanced coding techniques with the help of experienced scientific programmers and data scientists.
  • What do we require ?

Required background and skills of the candidate:

  • Master’s degree (completed or near completion) or 1st Class undergraduate Honours degree in a relevant discipline, including but not limited to computer science, biomedical engineering, physics, mathematics, data science, medical sciences;
  • Python programming. Medical imaging experience (preferably in 3D or 4D). Statistics;
  • Knowledge in either bioinformatics or complex networks, and the willingness to learn the missing one;
  • Excellent written and oral English communication skills;
  • Additional assets: knowledge of brain anatomy and related tools (Dipy, FSL, etc) and Unity/VR/AR environments
  • Our Offer

We offer a fixed term contract for 40 hours per week for the duration of 4 years. This will be supported by an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The contract will include opportunities to participate in teaching and supervision of undergraduate and master students.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be up to 7500 PLN gross per month (with a raise to 8000 PLN following a positive periodic review), based on a full-time contract (40 hours a week) for the duration of 4 years with private medical care and a sports card.

The student will be based in Poland, Krakow operating in conjunction with the Cyfronet supercomputing centre hosted by AGH. Visits to external institutions will form part of the PhD for purposes of strengthened supervision and training.

Sano offers excellent opportunities for study and development, an access to many international conferences on computational medicine and a possibility to grow in a scientific society.

If you feel that this job opportunity is the career that you are looking for, please apply immediately and give Sano a chance to meet you. Please, be informed that Sano will contact only with Candidates fulfilling the formal criteria.

  • Job application

Sano is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application.

Applications in .pdf should include:

  • a cover letter; 
  • a curriculum vitae; 

During later stages, you’ll also be asked to provide: 

  • copies of your degree certificates; 
  • copies of your English certificates; 
Apply for a job

Apply through Sano recruitment system. If you would like to apply for future openings feel free to send your application to our database.​