Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Autonomous UAV's for universal internet access
Deadline: 30.11.2020
University of Agder
The University of Agder has more than 1400 employees and 13 000 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.
The successful applicant will become part of a team of 7 researchers working on artificial intelligence, machine learning, wireless communications, and control for autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This team spans three departments and involves interdisciplinary and international collaboration.
Responsibilities
The proposed research addresses a set of technological challenges emerging in this quest for universal internet access. Specifically, it targets the development of autonomous navigation and self-organized communication approaches for networks of UAVs equipped with base stations to provide internet coverage by connecting mobile users on the ground with the terrestrial internet infrastructure, possibly in multiple hops through satellites or other UAVs. The autonomous navigation part involves algorithms for finding optimal positions in 3D space and relies on information about the spatial density of users and the electromagnetic propagation characteristics of the environment. This task will be addressed by means of machine learning, reinforcement learning, and automatic control tools. On the other hand, the self-organized wireless communication part involves techniques for efficiently communicating with the ground users with high data rates, fairness metrics, reliability, and privacy. The focus is on the physical and medium-access layers through the design of spatiotemporal precoding techniques and reporting protocols.
This position involves theoretical research, computer simulation, and measurement collection. The successful applicant will also help train PhD students and assist in the management of the research team and research project AirBonnet, whose partners include the Center for Integrated Emergency Management of the University of Agder, Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands), the University of Vigo (Spain), and Gradiant (Spain). The position may be complemented with teaching activities.
Required qualifications
Doctoral degree in a relevant subject area. Potential applicants must have submitted their theses by the time of the application deadline.
The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.510, code 1352 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, NOK 544 400-565 500 gross salary per year. Higher salary grades may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants. 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 and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, 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 the 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. 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
The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
Motivation letter.
Complete post-secondary transcript of all academic degrees. When attaching a non-Norwegian academic transcript that does not include a description of the grading system (e.g. maximum grade and minimum passing grade) used by the issuing institution, a (preferably official) description should also be attached. The description may simply contain a link to an official website where the grading system is explained.
Updated CV with the list of publications.
Doctoral dissertation.
Applicants that are not native English speakers may submit their TOEFL, IELTS, or CEFR certificate (may alternatively be emailed after the closing date).
Justification (maximum 1 page) of the experience and background in the areas of interest listed above under “Required qualifications” and “Desired qualifications”. Example: “1. Experience in programming: I took two bachelor’s courses with names [course names] where we had to program in C, and one master’s course with name [name] where we learned Python. 2. Background in machine learning: I took a bachelor’s course with name [name] where we learned the basics of supervised and unsupervised learning, as well as a master’s course with name [name] which focuses on deep learning.” And so on.
Description up to 2 pages of research directions identified by the applicant in this area with their anticipated impact and potential to address limitation of the state of the art
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: 30.11.20
Contact
For questions about the position:
Associate Professor Daniel Romero, tel. +47 37 23 31 96, e-mail daniel.romero@uia.no
