Organisation/Company University of Innsbruck Department Office of the Rector Research Field Computer science » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 10 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Vienna) Country Austria Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

PhD POSITION DC2 – Computer Science, Interventional Radiology

Patient-specific liver deformation modelling with AI – Planning, Interpretability, Explainability

with applications to radio-frequency liver tumour ablation

Supervisors:

Matthias Harders, Department of Computer Science, University of Innsbruck & Reto Bale, Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck

The project

Predicting patient-specific liver deformations for radiofrequency ablation procedures is essential for accurate treatment planning and intraoperative guidance. In this project we address the challenges by developing a novel AI-driven framework that combines the best approaches to accurately model patient-specific liver deformations. Moreover, to overcome deep learning “black boxes” the PhD candidate should also explore new approaches towards quantitative assessment of such solutions, such as failure mode analysis, model architecture analysis and reduction, as well as continual learning aspects.

Your profile





We are looking for someone who brings experience and interest in AI, biomechanical simulation, deep learning, medical image analysis and/or explainable AI. Ideally you have

- a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science/AI, Mathematics, or similar fields.
- solid foundations in programming, biomechanical simulation and/or deep learning.
- analytic and mathematical skills.
- interest in clinical applications and latest AI models.

Formal eligibility (as in the official call):

- Master’s (or equivalent) degree, final certificate available before employment starts; no doctoral degree yet.
- MSCA mobility rule: not more than 12 months of living, working or studying in Austria in the 36 months before December 10th 2026.

What we offer

- Full-time doctoral employment contract for 3 years (40 h/week).
- Salary from € 3,776.10 gross per month (level B1, Austrian universities’ collective agreement) plus allowances – about a third above most PhD contracts in Austria.
- Enrolment in the doctoral programme in Computer Science at the University of Innsbruck, with structured training across both universities (winter schools, transferable-skills courses).
- Two secondments at international academic and non-academic partner institutions.
- A truly interdisciplinary environment between computer science and radiology – and life in the Alps.

More projects and full call text: ignidte.i-med.ac.at - IGNIDTE is funded by the European Union (Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND). Selection follows a transparent, merit-based and equal-opportunity process.

📌 PhD position (Loreto)
🏢 University of Innsbruck
📍 Loreto