Department of Quantitative Biomedicine

Ph.D. Position in AI for Precision Oncology 100 %

Start of employment will be mutually agreed

The Krauthammer lab (at the University of Zurich) and the Wicki Lab (at the University Hospital of Zurich) are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to work on AI-driven research at the intersection of precision oncology and data science, with a particular focus on leveraging multi-modal clinical data to support personalized cancer treatment decisions.

Your responsibilities

The primary goal of this position is to develop state-of-the-art machine learning approaches to enhance personalised decision-making in oncology care in the following aspects:
  • Developing predictive models to forecast treatment outcomes and side effects based on retrospective observational clinical data.
  • Implementing counterfactual inference and causal machine learning methods to identify optimal treatments and evaluate treatment biases.
  • Incorporating explainable AI tools (e.g., SHAP values) and uncertainty quantification techniques (e.g., conformal prediction) to enhance the interpretability and reliability of predictions.
  • Collaborating closely with oncologists and data scientists to align AI tools with clinical workflows and real-world needs.
You also have the possibilities to expand the research scope to other innovative projects in AI for healthcare and clinical data science.

Your profile

Minimum qualifications:
  • Master's degree (MSc) in computer science, machine learning, statistics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline.
  • Proficiency in Python and core scientific computing libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, Scikit-learn, pandas).
  • Experience with at least one deep learning framework (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX).
  • Strong foundational knowledge of machine learning and predictive modeling techniques.
Preferred qualifications:
  • Knowledge of longitudinal data analysis, time-series modeling, or causal inference methods.
  • Experience with explainable AI techniques for model interpretability.
  • Familiarity with multi-modal data integration (e.g., clinical, genetic, proteomics).
  • Proficiency in Linux systems, Docker, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.

Information on your application

Send your application including the following documents:
  • A cover letter detailing your motivation and fit for this position.
  • A detailed CV.
  • Academic transcripts.
  • Contact details for three references.

What we offer

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What we offer

Work-Life Balance
  • Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
  • Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH


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Learning and Development
  • Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
  • Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich

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Food
  • Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
  • Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution

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Healthcare
  • Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
  • Free seasonal flu vaccinations
  • Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower

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Discounts
  • Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
  • Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
  • Special conditions on hotel reservations

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Conditions of Employment
  • Policies of the UZH
  • Most UZH staff are employed according to public law


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International Services
  • Support for people from outside Switzerland

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Campuses
  • Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
  • Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg

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Further information

Questions about the job

Bowen Fan
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Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
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Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.

Working at UZH

The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More
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