PhD student, Automated Machine Learning and Neural Architecture Search

As an academic PhD student, you have the flexibility of pursuing your own research interests, and at the same time, you will be working very closely with industrial data and use cases.

Project description
We are a research group working with automated machine learning. In particular, we are interested in efficient and explainable neural architecture search by extracting properties and underlying structures from both data and neural networks. To further explore these properties, we also have a strong interest in synthetic data generation for neural network training and testing. Some of our interested research topics include neural architecture search (NAS), generative adversarial networks (GAN), kernel methods and topological data analysis. We are closely working with industry in the domains of pharmaceuticals, smart manufacturing, automotive, architecture, etc, to keep our research relevant to practical use cases. In addition, we have a strong incentive to reduce bias in data and improve fairness in AI, which is a long-term goal that we are striving for.

In this project, the candidate will develop and evaluate new methods for making automated machine learning adaptable to practical, industrial/societal problems and provide more cost-effective, explainable, and trustable solutions.

Information about the division and the department
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering is a joint department at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg, with activities on two campuses in the city of Gothenburg. The department has around 270 employees from over 30 countries. Our research has a wide span, from theoretical foundations to applied systems development. We provide high quality education at Bachelor's, Master's and graduate levels, offering over 120 courses each year. We also have extensive national and international collaborations with academia, industry and society.

Our aim is to actively improve our gender balance in both our department and division. We therefore strongly encourage female applicants for our positions. As an employee at Chalmers and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, you are given the opportunity to contribute to our active work within the field of equality and diversity.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Mathematics. The applicant should have strong background and experience in Python programming and deep learning. Strong mathematical skills is a merit. In particular, previous experience in NAS, GAN and topological data analysis would be useful.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220635 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Application deadline: 15-01-2023

For questions, please contact:
Assistant professor, Yinan Yu, Computing Science division
E-mail: yinan@chalmers.se
Phone: 0765825672

Professor, Robert Feldt, Interaction Design and Software Engineering division
E-mail: robert.feldt@chalmers.se
Phone: 0317726326

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!