Professor in Data Science with focus on data analysis and machine learning - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

Umeå University welcomes applications for a permanent position as full Professor in Data Science with focus on data analysis and machine learning at the Department of Computing Science. The position, which is established through the Wallenberg Autonomous Systems Program (WASP), comes with a substantial recruitment package. Last date for application is October 31, 2016.

Work description
The emphasis of the position is data analysis and machine learning. The primary focus is on basic research that is expected to carry high industrial relevance in the long term. Examples of areas of expertise include learning for data streams, stochastic learning algorithms, big data analysis, data mining, deep learning, pattern recognition, kernel based learning, statistical learning, and reinforcement learning. Although expertise should be primarily in the core of data analysis and machine learning, the applicant should ideally also have experience from applying the research in different application areas. The recruited candidate is expected to collaborate with research groups in autonomous systems at Umeå University and in WASP.

The position offers stimulating and challenging tasks. A main criterion for employment is a strong commitment to research, and established research leaders are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will have an important role and large freedom in developing the area of data analysis and machine learning at the department, both in research and in undergraduate and graduate education. The successful candidate is also expected to develop collaboration across institutional boundaries inside and outside the university and within WASP.

The position includes a substantial recruitment package including full funding for the new professor to recruit two PhD candidates (four years each) and 2 post docs (2 years each). The PhD candidates will take part in the highly attractive national WASP Graduate School.

Further information about employment conditions and benefits will be available from August 31 2016 at www.cs.umu.se/working_cs_umu.

Eligibility
To qualify for an appointment as professor, the candidate must provide documentation to demonstrate both scientific and teaching skills. Furthermore, administrative capability and the ability to lead and develop staff are criteria for assessment as well as the ability to interact with the surrounding community.

The notion of scientific skills refers to:

• ability to independently carry out research of high international quality
• ability to independently plan, organize, lead and manage research and research projects
• ability to develop new methods and apply them to new problems
• ability to collaborate with other national and international researchers / research groups
• ability to initiate interdisciplinary collaborations
• ability to communicate research to a wider community and the general public
• ability to competitively obtain research funding

The notion of pedagogical skills refers to:

• broad, robust and up-to-date knowledge within the subject area
• the skills and experience to independently plan and conduct teaching at basic and advanced levels
• ability to establish good communication with and motivate students, and to spread enthusiasm and interest for the subject
• ability to teach and supervise at the doctoral level.

A high level of proficiency in both spoken and written English is a requirement

Assessment criteria
In the selection of candidates particular emphasis will be put on the degree of scientific expertise. Next, pedagogical skills will be taken into account. In addition, regard will be given to administrative capability, the ability to lead and develop staff, and the ability to interact with the surrounding community.

Scientific expertise must relate to the core of data analysis and machine learning, with focus on compute and method oriented research, rather than pure theory development. Documented experience from applying that expertise in at least two application areas is an advantage. The quality, originality, and timeliness of the research contributions, as well as the research’s relevance to WASP, will be assessed. Significant emphasis will be on scientific work published in internationally well-respected scientific journals and conference proceedings of scientific conferences. Documented ability to competitively obtain research funding is important.

Teaching skills must also bear upon the field of data science with emphasis on data analysis and machine learning. Proven experience of teaching at both undergraduate and graduate / research level is required, as well as documented experience in supervision of theses and educational development and leadership.

Application
The application, preferably written in English, should include:

• A cover letter, including contact information
• Certified copies of relevant diplomas, grades, and degree certificates
• A Curriculum Vitae containing academic and professional qualifications
• A complete list of scientific publications including citation numbers
• Copies of at most ten relevant publications, numbered according to the list of publications
• A description of scientific activities, preferably structured according to the definition of scientific skills above
• A research plan describing the research to be pursued within the employment (maximum 5 pages)
• A description of teaching activities and experiences
• A brief description of your experiences of administrative activities, management of operations and staff 

The application is to be submitted on the MyNetwork Pro recruitment system October 31, 2016 at the latest.  We welcome your application!

For further information about the position please contact Professor Erik Elmroth, tel +46 90-786 6986, elmroth@cs.umu.se.