The position

Department of Physics and Technology announces a vacant PhD position with the Machine Learning research group at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Science and Technology.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT is a multi-campus research university in Norway and the northernmost university of the world. Our central location in the High North, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and our interdisciplinary qualities make us uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. At UiT you can explore global issues from a close-up perspective.

Credibility, academic freedom, closeness, creativity and commitment shall be hallmarks of the relationship between our employees, between our employees and our students and between UiT and our partners.

UiT is massively extending its efforts in education and research in the field of health technology. This strategic initiative builds on a long track record of collaboration between the Faculty of Science and Technology, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the University Hospital of North Norway, which builds a solid foundation for the announced position

We are seeking a PhD Candidae to take an active role in the group's research on developing novel machine learning methodology for medical image analysis. The project is conducted in a close collaboration with the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN). Data sources will not be limited to image data but include contextual data such as diagnosis codes, vital signs, written text, etc.

For image analysis, we are particularly seeking a candidate with background in deep learning and neural networks, such as e.g. convolutional neural networks but experience with graph neural networks and recurrent neural networks to incorporate the contextual information will be beneficial.

The role of the PhD Candidate

You will be a part of the UiT Machine Learning Group, and interact closely with collaborators at UNN. You will develop new deep learning image analysis methodology, building particularly but not exclusively on so-called convolutional neural networks.

Key challenges involve development of innovative methods for unsupervised and semi-supervised learning in order to exploit the structure of the unlabeled data as well as contextual data to improve the accuracy of the image analysis, and by this enable classification, localization and segmentation of objects in medical images.

Contacts

Further information about the position and UiT is available by contacting Michael Kampffmeyer:

• phone: +47 906 02 098
• email: michael.c.kampffmeyer@uit.no

Qualifications

The position requires a Norwegian Master's degree in physics, mathematics, statistics or machine learning, or a corresponding foreign Master’s degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian Master’s degree. You should preferably have experience in neural networks for deep learning and command of tools such as TensorFlow and/or PyTorch is considered a plus. A good background in machine learning, or related fields such as pattern recognition or computational statistics, is in any case required.

To gain admission to the PhD programme, you must have a grade average of C or better. Further information about requirements for admission to PhD studies are available here:

https://uit.no/nt/phd

We are looking for an interested, active and highly motivated candidate, who likes to explore new technologies, is both independent thinking and also enjoys working in a collaboration with others.

Good communication skills in English are necessary and documented fluency in English is required. Good oral and written command of a Scandinavian language is considered an advantage in connection to teaching duties.

During this assessment process, emphasis will be put on your potential for research as shown by the Master's thesis and any other academic works. In addition, we may consider work experience or other activities of significance for the PhD studies. The assessment will emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project
• A fantastic work environment with nice and dedicated colleagues
• Good career opportunities
• A large degree of independence in work
• Opportunities to travel and meet other leading scientists within the field
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund

The UiT campus is located near the center of Tromsø, a vibrant city located in Northern Norway with approximately 75 000 inhabitants, surrounded by the stunning landscape of Northern Scandinavia. The location also offers ample opportunities for e.g., sighting aurora, hiking and skiing.

Terms of employment

The appointment is for a period of 4 years, and the nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year is used for teaching or other duties for the department. The duties are normally distributed evenly over the four years.

Remuneration of PhD positions are in salary code 1017, and normally start at salary grade 54 on the pay scale for Norwegian state employees. There is a 2% deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

You have to be qualified for and participate in our PhD study program. As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

More information about moving to Norway: http://uit.no/mobility

Application

Your application must include:

• Application and motivation letter (max 1 page)
• CV (max 2 pages)
• Diplomas and transcripts (diploma supplement) for both bachelor and master level education
• Documentation on English proficiency
• References, preferably including the Master’s thesis supervisor
• Master thesis

You may also submit academic works which you wish us to consider during the assessment process.

Qualification with a Master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your Master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must have completed your degree before commencement in the position.

All documentation have to be in English or a Scandinavian language. The application must be submitted electronically through Jobbnorge.

General

We make the appointment in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. UiT will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

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