Counterfactual Simulation and Synthetic Data Generation for Next-Generation Clinical Trials

The requirements for the position are :

• Obtained a first class Master in a relevant field, e.g. computer science, biomedical engineering or mathematical engineering
• Good understanding of statistics and machine / deep learning algorithms
• Interest in Biomedical data science
• Excellent programming skills in Python
• Proficient English, both oral and written
• Enthusiasm about research and medical applications of AI
• Aptitude to work independently, think critically, lead project deliverables and meet deadlines
• Good team spirit, be pro-active and participate in the lab's scientific life
• Aptitutde to collaborate with local and international project partners (including technical and clinical collaborators)

The project is part of GENz-trials. GENz-trials is a collaborative initiative aimed at transforming clinical trial design and evaluation through advanced data science, automation, and simulation technologies. Central to this project is the development of synthetic control methodologies and digital twins for informing trial protocols and emulating randomized controlled trials using retrospective and prospective data. KU Leuven leads WP5, which integrates advanced causal inference, robust counterfactual simulation, and protocol optimization analytics. Key tasks include developing emulation engines, establishing regulatory-grade validation pipelines, and benchmarking synthetic cohorts against observed results from real clinical trials

The project will be supervised by KU Leuven professor Maarten De Vos (Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) and is in collaboration with European project partners. The successful candidate will closely collaborate with other PhD candidates working on the same project and on related projects. The research is embedded in a stimulating interdisciplinary environment with state-of-the-art analysis expertise and with ample opportunities for interaction with clinicians and AI experts. Who are we? The STADIUS-BIOMED research group at the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) of KU Leuven is one of the world-leading groups developing and validating AI approaches in Healthcare, with applications covering various clinical disciplines. The group is a friendly, close-knit collaborative team focused on delivering novel innovations into healthcare practice. We closely collaborate with medical colleagues in UZ Leuven and with various industry partners, and have prior expertise in deploying methodology in clinical applications.

(https : / / scholar.google.com / citations?hl=nl&user=xTjDXdQAAAAJ) We offer :

Application Requirements