About this role
Summary: The Postdoctoral Researcher will develop and refine AI methods to analyze Rich Pictures for palliative care research. Responsibilities include adapting user-friendly interfaces, collaborating with healthcare professionals, and publishing findings in scientific journals.
Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences
is looking for a
Postdoctoral Researcher in AI for Understanding Visual Narratives
Department: Intelligent Systems
Location: Tilburg
Contract size: 0.9 fte (36 hours per week)
Full-time gross monthly salary: €3,546 and €4,728
Contract duration: 14 months
Intended start date: 1 February 2027
Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Center of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University (TiU) is looking for an enthusiastic new colleague in the domains of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The postdoc will contribute to the research project “Advancing Research in Palliative Care: Employing Rich Pictures”, a collaboration between Tilburg University, Amsterdam UMC and Amsta Nursing Home. In this project, you will collaborate with prof. dr. Hanneke van Laarhoven, head of the Department of Medical Oncology at Amsterdam UMC and her team.
Little is known about the existential concerns of patients in the palliative phase of life. Discussing one's life in this phase can be difficult for patients. Visual aids, like 'Rich Pictures' (RPs), can facilitate this and bring to light concerns that might not otherwise be discussed. RPs can also illustrate changes over time, for instance, after an intervention. Thus, they can also serve as a new research instrument. However, RP analysis is highly labor-intensive and challenging due to the variability in drawing styles, the numerous elements and their complex relationships, and the implicit meanings of specific symbols. By accelerating RP analysis with AI, RPs can also be used as a measurement tool in large-scale research and clinical practice.
Your position
The postdoc will play a key role in the research team. The key responsibilities include:
- Extend, develop, and refine AI methods and tools to support the analysis and interpretation of Rich Pictures (RPs).
- Adapt and improve a user-friendly interface that makes the AI tools accessible to researchers and healthcare professionals.
- Collaborate closely with humanities researchers and healthcare professionals at Amsterdam UMC and other project partners.
- Publish research findings in scientific journals and present results at national and international conferences.
Requirements
We understand that no candidate will meet every single requirement. If you are excited about this position but do not tick every box, we still encourage you to apply. In your application, tell us not only about the qualifications you bring but also about the areas you are eager to develop further and how you envision doing so. We welcome applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, and orientations.
Your profile
The successful candidate should:
1. Hold a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science, Digital Humanities, Computer Science, or another relevant discipline.
2. Have an interest in and experience with deep learning, computer vision, image analysis, and/or multimodal AI.
3. Possess strong programming skills in Python and experience with relevant AI technologies, such as PyTorch and vision-language models (VLMs), as well as web development frameworks, such as Flask or Django.
4. Have an interest in applying AI to human-centered research, healthcare, or other socially relevant domains.
5. Be interested in working across disciplines, particularly at the intersection of AI, humanities, and healthcare.
6. Have a good command of English, both spoken and written.
Our offer
Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:
1. - Employment of 0.8 – 0.,9 fte (32-36 hours per week).
- Salary between €3,546 and €4,728 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile researcher 4, salary scale 10). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
- Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
- Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
- Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
- Reimbursement sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
- Options model for additional leave, pension, a bicycle or personal training.
- Moving allowance (subject to conditions).
- 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).
- Pension through ABP.
- Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research or language courses.
- Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.
- A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.
For more information, please see our [website](https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about/working) and the [CLA Dutch Universities.](https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities)
Want to know more?
Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact dr. Juan Sebastian Olier at [j.s.olier@tilburguniversity.edu,](mailto:j.s.olier@tilburguniversity.edu) dr. Samaneh Khoshrou at s.khoshrou@tilburguniversity.edu or dr. Sharon Ong at [l.l.ong@tilburguniversity.edu.](mailto:l.l.ong@tilburguniversity.edu)
More information on the project can be found here: https://www.zonmw.nl/nl/artikel/beter-passende-palliatieve-zorg-met-ai
Want to apply?
We kindly invite you to apply before 1 December 2026; this can only be done online. The first selection interviews will take place after 10 December 2026. The starting date of this position is 1 February 2027 or soon after.
The selection committee consists of:
Dr. Juan Sebastian Olier, Assistant Professor
Dr. Samaneh Khoshrou, Assistant Professor
Dr. Sharon Ong, Assistant Professor
This vacancy has been published simultaneously internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate.
About Tilburg University
Tilburg University is the university in the humanities and social sciences. Ever since our foundation in 1927, we have been committed to a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. With leading research and inspiring education, we contribute to the interpretation and, where possible, solutions to current societal issues, from climate change to digitalization
Our community is personal, engaged, and small-scale. On our green, compact, and vibrant campus there is room for encounter, collaboration, reflection, and personal growth. Read more about [Tilburg University](https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about).
Working at Tilburg University means working in an inclusive team with attractive employment conditions. At Tilburg University, you will receive ample opportunities to strengthen your talents and develop your career, in a warm working atmosphere where we attach great importance to the following values: curious, connected, caring, and courageous.
About the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD)
Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) focuses on humans, technology, culture, and their interactions in a globalizing digital society. From the interplay of our disciplines, our research and education focuses on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, their influence on communication, culture and society, and moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of six Departments: Communication and Cognition, Computational Cognitive Science, Intelligent Systems, Culture Studies, Philosophy, and the Tilburg Center of the Learning Sciences. Collaboration across disciplines is encouraged among both researchers and students. With this approach, we nurture a way of thinking that takes into account different perspectives and the diverse, sometimes conflicting needs and interests of people and society. At TSHD, we foster a culture of integrity, trust, diversity and inclusion, and constructive and critical dialogue. All members of our community are recognized and valued for their unique contributions.
University College Tilburg, with its interdisciplinary Liberal Articles and Sciences program, holds a unique position within the School. This collaboration with other Schools also includes the disciplines of economics, law, and the social sciences. Read more about the [Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD)](https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about/schools/tshd).
About the Research Center for Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence
The Research Center for Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University is part of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. The center emphasizes innovative cutting-edge research in those areas of cognitive science that bring together psychological and computational theories and methodologies. The group is responsible for the Bachelor and the Master program Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence, is co-responsible for the university- wide data science Master program Data Science & Society and is affiliated with the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science ([http://www.jads.nl](http://www.jads.nl/)). Researchers in the Cognitive Science and
Artificial Intelligence center have access to computer clusters, experimental lab facilities, and the virtual and mixed reality DAF Technology Lab and its sensing technologies
(https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/campus/experiencing-virtual-reality/ ). Moreover, researchers play an important role in Mind Labs ([http://www.mind-labs.eu](http://www.mind-labs.eu/) ), an initiative that fosters collaborations between knowledge institutions and corporations in the field of interactive technologies and behavior.
About Deep Learning for Perception Research Unit
You will be embedded in the Deep Learning for Perception Research Unit, which focuses on developing deep learning methods in contexts hallmarked by a high degree of complexity and uncertainty. In our research, we study generative models of perception. We also address transparency and explainability of deep learning models, in combination with techniques designed to reduce complexity of deep learning architectures.
Recruitment code
Tilburg University applies the [recruitmentcode](https://kmt.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/download/?id=21374) of the Dutch Association for Personnel Management & Organization Development (NVP).
Disclaimer
The text of this vacancy advertisement is copyright-protected property of Tilburg University. Use, distribution and further disclosure of the advertisement without express permission from Tilburg University is not allowed, and this applies explicitly to use by recruitment and selection agencies which do not act directly on the instructions of Tilburg University. Responses resulting from recruitment by non-contractors of Tilburg Universities will not be handled.