PhD student position in edge computing and decentralized learning

At the Department of Electrical Engineering, we conduct internationally renowned research in information and communication theory, artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, signal processing, and image analysis. We offer a dynamic and international research environment with about 150 employees from more than 20 countries, and with extensive national and international research collaborations with academia, industry and society. The department provides more than 70 courses.

The position of Ph.D. student at Chalmers University of Technology is a full-time temporary employment with a competitive monthly salary and full social benefits, limited to a maximum of four years plus teaching and other departmental duties. There are no tuition fees for Ph.D. studies at Chalmers. The starting date is tentatively August 2022.

After completing Ph.D. studies at Chalmers University of Technology, you will be in great demand from Swedish as well as international industry, and you will have an excellent basis for further academic research as well. Candidates with any nationality are welcome to apply.

Project description
Billions of connected devices such as IoT sensors, wearables, drones, and autonomous vehicles continuously produce and process data. Processing this massive amount of data to turn it into intelligent behaviors and decision-making requires the availability of suitable computing frameworks.

In most scenarios, data is inherently distributed and can be sensitive. Centralized over-the-cloud learning is not well adapted for this setting: uploading vast amounts of data to the cloud puts enormous pressure on existing communication networks, entails unacceptable long propagation delays, and poses privacy concerns. To address this issue, edge computing is envisioned as a new paradigm whereby computational power is moved from the cloud closer to where the data is generated, i.e., the wireless edge. Particularly, federated learning and swarm learning have emerged as the most promising approaches to decentralized learning at the network edge.

The overarching goal of this project is to developing low-latency, secure, and private decentralized learning and edge computing schemes.

Major responsibilities
You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research (verbally and in writing) in major journals and conferences. In addition, the position also includes teaching on undergraduate and M.Sc. level, or other departmental duties, of up to 10 percent of full time (the contract is extended beyond the 4 years accordingly). The selected candidate will also benefit from our ongoing collaboration with AI Sweden (Dr. Johan Östman), a national center for applied artificial intelligence. This gives opportunities for many inspiring discussions and networking.

Qualifications
You should have a strong background in mathematics,  information theory, coding theory, or machine learning. You should also have obtained a master's degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits, or must be close to completing such a degree.

For this position we look for someone who has good grades in the core mathematical courses and a strong interest in pursuing theoretical research, who are independent, curious, and creative, and have the ability to work in an international environment and to present their ideas effectively. As Chalmers is a highly international environment, proficiency in written and spoken English is necessary.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 4 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 20220216 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
2 pages where you introduce yourself and present your qualifications, describe previous research activities and their result, and outline your career goals.

Other documents:
• Copy of 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. The files may be compressed (zipped). Applications received via email will not be considered.

Application deadline: May 31, 2022 



For questions, please contact:
Alexandre Graell i Amat, Department of Electrical Engineering
Email: alexandre.graell@chalmers.se

*** 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!