LEDIG STILLING VED UNIVERSITETET I AGDER

PhD Research Fellows in ICT - Machine Learning

Deadline: 03.04.2023

University of Agder

The University of Agder has more than 1500 employees and almost 14 000 students. This makes us one of the largest workplaces in Southern Norway. Our staff research, teach and disseminate knowledge from a variety of academic fields. Co-creation of knowledge is our common vision. We offer a broad range of study programmes in many fields. We are situated at two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad respectively.


We are an open and inclusive university marked by a culture of cooperation. The aim of the university is to further develop education and research at a high international level.

About the position

One to two fixed-term 100% positions are available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science, as PhD Research Fellows in machine learning. The positions are affiliated with the Department of Information and Communication Technology for a period of 3 years, located at UiA Campus Grimstad. The starting date is as soon as possible or to be negotiated with the Faculty.

The PhD Research Fellows will become a part of the UiA priority research centre Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR). CAIR consists of around 50 researchers including Professors, Professors II, Researchers II, Post-Doctoral-, and PhD Research Fellows.

Responsibilities

The fellows will perform research on next-generation machine learning methods, building on recent advances in Tsetlin machines. The Tsetlin machine introduces the concept of logical interpretable learning, where both the learned model and the process of learning are easy to follow and explain. As such, Tsetlin machines are the next frontier in interpretable energy-efficient machine learning. The fellows will get the opportunity to develop novel Tsetlin machine-based approaches to natural language processing (NLP), image analysis, time series modelling, causal reasoning, and similar. The overarching goal is to advance state-of-the-art in machine learning with efficient, accurate, and interpretable Tsetlin machine-based learning.

Research topics

  • Research topics for the PhD research fellows include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Tsetlin machines and learning automata
  • Tsetlin machine-based natural language processing, image analysis, time series modelling, or causal reasoning
  • Self-supervised learning with Tsetlin machines
  • Representation- and transfer learning with Tsetlin machines
  • Visualization and interpretation of learning and decisions

Required qualifications

Applications from applicants who already hold a PhD will normally not be considered.

The candidate must hold a master’s degree in ICT, Computer Science, Electronics, or a similar/related field and document competence in areas relevant to the position. The candidate who is in the final stage of the master’s education within the relevant field may also be considered, given that a master’s degree is to be achieved before the enrollment of this position.

The ideal candidates will have expertise in the following areas:

  • Machine learning
  • Programming in Python, CUDA, and/or C/C++

Furthermore, the applicant must have strong academic credentials, written and spoken English proficiency, communication and teamwork skills.

International applicants who are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT), must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:

  • TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paper based Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
  • IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate must be admitted to UiA’s PhD program of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Specialisation in Information and Communication Technology within three months of appointment.

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work.

Personal qualities

Personal suitability, good teamwork skills, inventiveness, and a proactive approach, will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. The PhD Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to an active research community that promotes the personal and professional growth of the doctoral candidate. The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail. In return, we offer the opportunity to contribute to the strategic capabilities of a world-class research organization, along with intensive PhD supervision. You will collaborate with top scientists in your field and have excellent prospects for personal development in an innovative working environment for aspiring researchers.

We offer

  • Professional development in a large, exciting, and socially influential organisation.
  • A positive, inclusive, and diverse working environment.
  • An exciting and stimulating tasks with possibilities to international academic environments. Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers.
  • Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More about working at UiA

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 501 200 gross per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open, inclusive and co-creation university. We encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability, or an incomplete CV.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

Application

Applicants must submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job”.

The following documentation should be submitted as attachments to the online application:

  • Certificates and/or grades for all post-secondary education, up to and including the bachelor's level
  • Master's degree/higher degree certificate, with a summary of the courses/subjects included in the degree; For those who are in the final stage of the Master’s education but without a Master’s degree yet, the transcripts without the results of thesis can be provided; The evaluation result of the thesis can be provided later.
  • Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach an official description of the grading system used at the issuing institution.
  • Summary (approximately 1-2 pages) of the master's thesis.
  • Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date)
  • Summary or links to the applicant's scientific publications (if any)
  • A description of the candidate’s research interests and background for the project applied for.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in English or in a Scandinavian language.

Application deadline: 03.04.23

Contact

For questions about the position:

For questions about the application process:

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