PhD Position F/M [Numetab project] High-dimensional data analysis in the framework of survival modelling in presence of competing risks.

PhD Position F/M [Numetab project] High-dimensional data analysis in the framework of survival modelling in presence of competing risks. Download job offer in PDF format Contract type : Fixed-term contract Level of qualifications required : Graduate degree or equivalent Fonction : PhD Position About the research centre or Inria department The Inria University of Lille centre, created in 2008, employs 360 people including 305 scientists in 15 research teams. Recognised for its strong involvement in the socio-economic development of the Hauts-De-France region, the Inria University of Lille centre pursues a close relationship with large companies and SMEs. By promoting synergies between researchers and industrialists, Inria participates in the transfer of skills and expertise in digital technologies and provides access to the best European and international research for the benefit of innovation and companies, particularly in the region. For more than 10 years, the Inria University of Lille centre has been located at the heart of Lille's university and scientific ecosystem, as well as at the heart of Frenchtech, with a technology showroom based on Avenue de Bretagne in Lille, on the EuraTechnologies site of economic excellence dedicated to information and communication technologies (ICT). Context The PhD candidate will join both the Datavers team based in the Inria center at the University of Lille (France) and the METRICS unit research based in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Lille. Inria Datavers team is specialised in statistical learning and her members also belong either to Paul Painlevé laboratory or METRICS. Research of Paul Painlevé laboratory covers a broad spectrum of mathematical research. METRICS is a multidisciplinary public health research team that brings together clinicians and methodologists in the fields of ergonomics, biostatistics, medical informatics, data science and health economics. Assignment The aim of the PhD thesis is to develop a new statistical method for variable selection in the context of survival analysis, with competing risks, where measurements are repeated over time on thousands of variables simultaneously. This PhD project is funded by the Numetab cross disciplinary project (Numerical transition in Obesity and Metabolic Research, PI: Pr. Pattou and Pr. Marot). The application will be to identify new omics markers (transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics) for predictive purposes in order to adapt patients’ treatment (Precision Health). The originality of the statistical approach consists in simultaneously addressing three scientific challenges: i) high-dimensional analysis (more variables than individuals), ii) analysis of competing risks in the context of survival models and iii) analysis of longitudinal data (repeated measurements on the same individuals). Results are expected both in terms of biostatistical methodology and software to provide a clinical decision support tool. Main activities The main objective is to develop a statistical method for selecting variables in a context of survival prediction in the presence of competing risks. Secondary objectives are: • to improve the search for biomarkers in analyses with repeated omics data • to develop a decision-support software tool that can be generic and can be used in any context of high-dimensional data analysis with survival models in the presence of competing risks. PhD candidates who want to understand the concepts necessary for this PhD can read the following references: - related to statistics [1] Fine and Gray (1999) A proportional hazards model for the subdistribution of a competing risk. Journal of the American statistical association, 94(446):496–509. [2] Chi and Ibrahim (2006) Joint models for multivariate longitudinal and multivariate survival data. Biometrics, 62(2):432–445. [3] Binder, Allignol, Schumacher, and Beyersmann (2009) Boosting for high-dimensional time-to-event data with competing risks. Bioinformatics, 25(7):890–896. - related to another application which motivated the PhD subject (proteomics data analysis) [4] Heyse, Vandewalle, Marot, Amouyel, Bauters, and Pinet (2023) Identification of patient subtypes based on protein expression for prediction of heart failure after myocardial infarction. Iscience, 26(3). Skills The candidate must hold a MSc in Biostatistics. Technical skills and level required : • Proficiency in R and at least one scripting language (e.g. python) • In-depth knowledge of statistical learning to handle high-dimensional data • Basic knowledge of biology (molecular and cellular biology, genomics and genetics) Other valued appreciated : creativity, independence, team working and communication skills Benefits package • Subsidized meals • Partial reimbursement of public transport costs • Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.) • Possibility of teleworking and flexible organization of working hours • Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.) • Social, cultural and sports events and activities • Access to vocational training • Social security coverage Remuneration €2,300 gross per month Apply for this position Share • Facebook • Linkedin • Twitter • Email General Information • Theme/Domain : Optimization, machine learning and statistical methods Statistics (Big data) (BAP E) • Town/city : Villeneuve d'Ascq • Inria Center : Centre Inria de l'Université de Lille • Starting date : 2027-01-01 • Duration of contract : 3 years • Deadline to apply : 2026-12-12 Warning : you must enter your e-mail address in order to save your application to Inria. Applications must be submitted online on the Inria website. Processing of applications sent from other channels is not guaranteed. Instruction to apply Please send us your CV and cover letter. Defence Security : This position is likely to be situated in a restricted area (ZRR), as defined in Decree No. 2011-1425 relating to the protection of national scientific and technical potential (PPST).Authorisation to enter an area is granted by the director of the unit, following a favourable Ministerial decision, as defined in the decree of 3 July 2012 relating to the PPST. An unfavourable Ministerial decision in respect of a position situated in a ZRR would result in the cancellation of the appointment. Recruitment Policy : As part of its diversity policy, all Inria positions are accessible to people with disabilities. Contacts • Inria Team : DATAVERS • PhD Supervisor : Marot Guillemette / Guillemette.Marot@inria.fr About Inria Inria, the French national institute for research in digital science and technology, supports the French government in national research and innovation strategies in the digital field, acting as Digital Programs Agency. Inria leads over 300 research and innovation projects with its 3,500 scientists, engineers, and support staff, in partnership with universities and the digital ecosystem (businesses, entrepreneurs, and public stakeholders). Together, we explore strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cloud technologies, digital transformation in healthcare, digital twins, and digital technologies for defence. We develop practical solutions such as software, tech startups, partnerships with national companies, and cutting-edge training programmes. Our goal is to drive scientific, technological, and industrial excellence to ensure France’s digital sovereignty.