Post Doctoral Researcher in AI in regulated medical devices for Reconstruction and Computational Modelling for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (Recon4IMD) project

This is a senior position in the Regulated Software Research Centre (RSRC) within the School of Informatics and Creative Arts in DkIT. The successful candidate will join the Reconstruction and Computational Modelling for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (Recon4IMD) project.

The RSRC is recognized as a world-class research group within the area of medical device software engineering. Since its creation in 2008 the RSRC has been highly successful in attracting competitive external funding. The RSRC currently has a number of ongoing software engineering research projects within the domains of Medical Devices, Artificial Intelligence, Software Regulations, Software Process and Safety Critical Systems.

The position is being created as result of the RSRC obtaining research funding through Horizon Europe, in collaboration with NUIG and a wide EU Consortium in relation to the development of Reconstruction and Computational Modelling for Inherited Metabolic Diseases. The overall objectives of the project are to accelerate the diagnosis, and enable personalised management, of inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs). At present it is difficult for medical device manufacturers to know what is expected in terms of regulation for ML algorithms, as at present medical device software is developed through following the IEC 62304 medical device software development lifecycle. However, development using this lifecycle is based upon developing a system with known inputs and outputs and regulatory compliance is based upon ensuring that the expected outputs have been achieved prior to the device being placed on the market. In the case of using ML algorithms as part of a medical device system the inputs and outputs may change when the device is actually in use and post implementation inspection will be important. Therefore, a new lifecycle model needs to be established for the development of ML algorithms in medical device software. The successful candidate will develop a new lifecycle model for developing ML algorithms as part of medical device software that can then be used by both regulators and medical device software developers within the Recon4IMD project.

This project brings the team from Dundalk Institute of Technology who have been instrumental in defining the existing international medical device software regulatory environment under the leadership of NUIG along with numerous European partners.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated researcher to work as a senior contributor to a large project. The position will involve performing a senior role within this world-class research team with the following objectives:

• Develop a software process assessment model for medical device software incorporating ML algorithms
• Assist academic software developers in the other WPs to develop regulatory complaint software in line with the assessment model
• Work with other members of the project team on technical aspects of the project particularly in relation to regulating for ML algorithms for medical device software  
• Assist with project review preparation;
• Develop a new lifecycle model for the development of ML algorithms in medical device software.
• Supervise research students who will be working on the project;
• Write independent, high-quality conference and journal papers;
• Actively engage with industry collaborators as part of the project;
• Ensure the timely delivery of all project deliverables and reports to funding bodies;
• Ensure that all deliverables are of high quality;
• Represent the RSRC at national and international conferences and meetings;
• Represent the RSRC in medical device manufacturers, hospitals and safety critical organisations.

Candidates should have a PhD, or equivalent experience, within the fields of software engineering or computer science. It would be desirable for them to have knowledge in one or more areas to include: healthcare software, software regulations, AI standards and governance, data science, statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain or Cybersecurity. Additionally, they should possess excellent communication skills, excellent leadership skills, display an enthusiasm for research and show an ability to work independently.

Salary Range: Postdoc PD1.1 to PD1.4 €42,783   to €46,569 depending on experience

The post will be filled on a fixed term contract for a period of up to 34 months