Master's thesis Data-Linkage-Systems for Integrated Health, Geospatial and Population Data

In Germany, public healthcare information systems such as the AOK Gesundheitsatlas or the Bundes-Klinik-Atlas provide structured access to hospital-related data for citizens. While such systems focus on user-facing information and comparability, they typically rely on preprocessed datasets and expose only a limited analytical perspective. The underlying processes for integrating heterogeneous data sources are usually not transparent and are not designed as reusable or extensible research-oriented systems. From a computer science perspective, the technical foundations of such systems pose several non-trivial challenges: ingesting heterogeneous data formats, ensuring data quality and plausibility, linking entities across sources, integrating spatial and demographic information, and providing structured access for analysis and visualization.

This thesis addresses these challenges by focusing on the design, implementation and evaluation of a data linkage system that integrates public healthcare, geospatial and population data. Rather than building an end-user product, the aim is to develop a methodological and technical basis that enables reproducible analyses and can serve as a foundation for healthcare demand and trend studies.

The thesis will address selected aspects form the following list:

• Overview of existing work and literature review
• Data ingestion and processing
• Database design and implementation
• Data quality assessment
• Geospatial integration
• Integration of population data
• Population-based modeling
• Client-server application for data access and visualization
• Implementation of a demonstrator and evaluation

What you contribute

• Ongoing studies in the field in Computational Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Data Science, or comparable
• Programming skills, preferably in Python and JavaScript
• Experience of SQL and relational databases
• Basic experience with client-server-architectures and web technologies. Experience with containerization, geospatial data processing or statistics is beneficial but not required.
• Interest in scientific data visualization, data quality and applied data analysis
• Structured, independent working style and ability to work in a team
• Very good English and German language skills

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) is one of the world's leading organizations for application-oriented research. 75 institutes develop pioneering technologies for our economy and society - more precisely: 32 000 people from technology, science, administration and IT. They know: Anyone who comes to Fraunhofer wants to and can make a difference. For themselves, for us and for the markets of today and tomorrow. The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS is a world-leading and internationally connected research center for computer assistance in medicine. With about 140 employees, our mission is to conduct patient-centric research and development to improve clinical processes for the benefit of our clinical partners and, in the end, patients., What we offer * A dynamic work environment at the forefront of healthcare innovation * Insight into modern technologies and innovative manufacturing processes * Professional supervision and collaboration in a dedicated team * Flexible time management for your thesis The duration of the thesis depends on the requirements of your university. We cannot offer financial compensation for thesis work. However, you can expect an excitingresearch topic and intensive scientific supervision. The thesis will be supervised by the MEVIS office in Hamburg. Students are expected to be regularly present in the Hamburg office. We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Our tasks are diverse and adaptable - for applicants with disabilities, we work together to find solutions that best promote their abilities. With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. Ready for a change? Then apply now and make a difference! Once we have received your online application (German or English), you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. We will then get back to you as soon as possible and let you know what happens next.