PhD scholarship in Algorithmic Fairness for Medical Imaging - DTU Compute

PhD scholarship in tackling label bias within algorithmic fairness. When labels are systematically wrong, even fairness tools risk becoming unfair – this PhD project is dedicated to uncovering and solving the problems with label bias for algorithmic fairness within medical imaging applications.
Algorithmic bias is a fundamental problem when using machine learning and AI to solve problems that involve humans. While monitoring and mitigating algorithmic bias is crucial for the safe and fair utilization of AI, bias measurement becomes an even greater challenge when labels are systematically wrong for certain unfortunate groups. This project aims to document and understand the effect of label bias on machine learning and AI algorithms, and to propose solutions to overcoming label bias both when diagnosing and mitigating AI bias.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your main responsibility in the project will be to build create realistic medical imaging test beds for label bias and use them to investigate how label bias affects algorithms, their bias and their bias mitigation.

Your primary tasks will include:

• Developing medical imaging test suites tailored to studying label bias
• Documenting the effect of label bias on learned algorithms as well as their bias mitigation
• Developing tools to monitor and mitigate bias even when labels are biased
• Writing and presenting scientific work at top conferences and journals
• Work as a teaching assistant in four 5 ECTS modules

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment will be made by Aasa Feragen and Siavash Bigdeli from DTU Compute.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 April 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Aasa Feragen, [email protected].

You can read more about DTU Compute at www.compute.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 January 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Compute
DTU Compute is a unique and internationally recognized academic department with 385 employees and 11 research sections spanning the science disciplines mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. We conduct research, teaching and innovation of high international standard – producing new knowledge and technology-based solutions to societal challenges. We have a long-term involvement in applied and interdisciplinary research, big data and data science, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), smart and secure societies, smart manufacturing, and life science. At DTU Compute we believe in a diverse workplace with a flexible work-life balance.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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