PHD Scholarship in AI at the University of Edinburgh (College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine)

 About the Project:

Background-

There is more emphasis on humans to provide healthcare in the field of medicine than ever before, and algorithms are being created to help. In fact, the use of AI is increasingly advocated to make up for long-standing healthcare shortcomings, including severe diagnosis errors, treatment errors, major resource loss, process inefficiencies, and inequalities. Yet, for medicine, the convergence of human and artificial intelligence has barely started. This results in a substantial difference between claims for theoretical technologies and real implementation and outcomes. Due to the omnipresence of AI and the potentially beneficial or unwanted effects, this may have on individuals, processes and organizations, filling this gap is significant.

Purpose-

The ultimate purpose of this PhD is to examine in practice the effects of AI-and related data-driven technologies. This includes the impact on organizational policies and strategies and their performance (e.g., efficacy, flexibility, efficiency, accountability) as well as on practitioners (e.g., their skills, their tasks and their roles).

Expectations from the researcher/student-

Students will use their research to establish action-driven methodologies and mechanisms that can be used to advance knowledge of AI and its practical implementations by organizations implementing AI technologies as well as by designers of AI healthcare systems.

State-of-the-art AI innovations are now used in the management of diagnostic and prognostic healthcare decisions as well as care delivery processes inside and outside healthcare providers. The student will gain access to case studies in Edinburgh and beyond on the application of AI innovations in healthcare (e.g. clinical decision support, process automation, etc.).

Opportunities for the researcher/student-

Although the chosen student will be supervised by the Usher Institute, Center for Medical Informatics, they will also have opportunities through schools and colleges in Edinburgh to participate in collaborative interdisciplinary cohort activities. These include the Baillie Gifford Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence initiative of the Futures Institute; the interdisciplinary EPSRC AI Center for Doctoral Training; and the recently awarded Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC).

Supervisors:

Primary Supervisor: Dr Luciana D’Adderio, The University of Edinburgh (Centre for Medical Informatics). Please contact him at l.d-adderio@ed.ac.uk

Co-Supervisor: Prof. Ewen M. Harrison, The University of Edinburgh

Funding details:

1. Home or overseas tuition fees for three years;
2. UKRI stipend (currently £ 15,285p.a.) for 3 years;
3. Research Support (APCs) at £ 5,000p.a. for three years;
4. Travel and meeting expenses of up to £ 300p.a. for three years.

Requirements:

1. A first degree (at least 2:1) and a Master's degree or equivalent experience are important to the project in the subject field.
2. Previous research or experience in data science, digital methods and/or innovative methods is desirable.
3. Show the ability to manage yourself and workload within competitive time limits.
4. Show a strong interest in multidisciplinary research, teaching, and collaboration within and beyond academia with partners
5. Demonstrate an interest in and awareness of contemporary contexts in higher education, data protection and ethics, and effective data policies.
6. The ability to communicate effectively- orally, in writing and through social media (e.g. academic publications, practitioners and policy-makers, users of services).

Documents Required:

1.  A CV
2. A personal statement detailing your research interests and reasons for applying 
3. Your degree certificate(s), your degree(s) marks
4. 2 written academic references.

The application closing date is: 15 March 2021 (but applications will be considered on an oncoming basis)

For an intake in September 2021, interviews will be held at the end of March/beginning of April.

The selected candidate will have to apply for the Usher Institute Medical Informatics PhD program after the interview and be accepted for a position.  

Please click here to find more details about this PhD programme.

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