Postdoctoral position in machine learning, causality and generalization

Information about the project
This is a call for a post-doctoral researcher in the Data Science and AI division at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology.

The position is placed in the research group led by Fredrik Johansson, currently comprised of 5 PhD students working on topics related to machine learning for improved decision making with applications in healthcare. The project is supported by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) funded by the Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

Supervised machine learning (ML) has become an essential tool for scientists and engineers. This is no doubt in part due to the simplicity of its default implementation: 1) Pick a measure of error as learning objective; 2) Collect a data set of sample inputs and outputs; 3) Fit a model which returns outputs with minimal average error on inputs from the data set. This approach, empirical risk minimization, has proved tremendously successful in diverse domains but is sensitive to changes in input domain, to interventions on key variables or to small sample sizes. This position will explore machine learning methods and theory which go beyond this idea to provide stronger guarantees and more efficient learning through, for example, causal analysis or theory on domain generalization. These are examples; you will have large influence to define your project.  

The candidate is expected to pursue research into machine learning in the context of (causal) interventions, changes in input domains or tasks, or small-sample learning (see description above). Other directions can be explored if there is mutual interest with the advisor and/or PhD students in the group. Ideas inspired by applications in healthcare are encouraged, but profiles with a strong methodological or theoretical record are preferred. The candidate will have large influence in the specific projects pursued during the postdoc.

Major responsibilities
The main responsibility of the candidate will be to pursue research in projects agreed on with the advisor. The candidate will have the chance to work with group members and collaborators at Chalmers and abroad, including the co-supervision of PhD students. It is expected that the postdoc co-authors papers with students during the employment. The candidate is encouraged to supervise/teach up to 20% of their time in exchange for prolonging the position duration.

Your major responsibility as postdoc is to perform your own research in a research group. The position may also include teaching on undergraduate and master's levels as well as supervising master's and/or PhD students to a certain extent. Another important aspect involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of postdoc, you should hold a doctoral degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, information technology, computer or electrical engineering, signal processing or physics. The degree should be awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). To qualify, candidates must have produced peer-reviewed published research in topics related to this listing.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Swedish is not a requirement, but Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for 24 months with the possibility of extention equivalent in time to teaching effort.

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.

Read more and apply here
Application deadline: 2022-08-31

For questions, please contact:
Fredrik Johansson, CSE DSAI, e-mail: fredrik.johansson@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. ***