PhD Position in Mathematics for Artificial Intelligence - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics at Umeå University is opening a PhD position in mathematics focusing on the mathematics of artificial intelligence. Deadline for application is May 21, 2020.

Project description
Artificial intelligence and deep neural networks have had tremendous success on several previously unsolved data analysis problems. The mathematical understanding of how and why deep neural networks work is however very limited. This project focuses on the development of mathematical methods and tools for investigation and future development of deep neural networks. In particular we will investigate the imposition of scale separation in deep neural networks for improved robustness and explainability. The research project involves mathematical and algorithmic development as well as practical application and testing using state of the art software. The project is part of the AI/Math track of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems, and Software Program (WASP) and the PhD student will be enrolled in the WASP graduate school, see https://wasp-sweden.org/graduate-school/ for more information.

Admission requirements
The PhD student will be admitted to third-cycle studies in either mathematics or computational science and engineering (CSE) with specialization in mathematics. Prerequisites include 240 ECTS credits (swe. högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 ECTS credits should be on an advanced level (master level). For third-cycle studies in mathematics, the applicant is required to have completed at least 60 credits within the field of mathematics, of which at least 15 credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level. For third-cycle studies in CSE, the applicant is required to have completed at least 90 credits in CSE courses, of which at least 30 credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level. CSE courses refer to courses with major quantitative, statistical or computing science elements, such as courses in computing science, mathematics and mathematical statistics, and relevant courses in biology, ecology, physics and chemistry. Applicants who in some other system either within Sweden or abroad have acquired largely equivalent skills are also eligible.

Qualifications
Candidates need to be skilled in both oral and written communication in English and should be able to work independently as well as in collaboration with others. Applicants with a degree not from a Swedish university are encouraged to provide results obtained from GMAT (and/or GRE) and TOEFL tests if available. The candidates also need to have a genuine interest, but not necessarily documented knowledge, in working with computers and programming, e.g. in Matlab, C++, or Python. A good background in mathematics, numerical analysis, optimization, partial differential equations, finite element methods, and/or programming is qualifying. To be admitted to the WASP graduate school strong grades are required.

About the employment
The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies which include participation in research, postgraduate courses, and to take part in the WASP graduate school. The duties can include teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%). The employment is limited to four years of full-time (48 months) or up to five years including teaching part-time. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary ladder for the PhD position. The employment starts after summer 2020 or according to agreement.

Application
A complete application should include the following documents:

• a personal letter with a brief description of qualifications, research interests, and motivations and with your contact information
• a curriculum vitae
• authenticated copies of degree certificates and copies of relevant work such as master’s thesis or articles that you have authored or co-authored
• contact information for at least two reference persons

The application must be written in English or Swedish and the documents must be in PDF format. The application must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University and be received no later than May 20, 2020.

Since we strive for a more equal gender distribution within our department, we especially encourage female applicants.

The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (chapter 12, 2§) and the decision regarding the position cannot be appealed. 

Further information
Further information is provided by Professor Mats G. Larson, +46(0)70 2680923, mats.larson@umu.se and Associate Professor Karl Larsson, +46(0)90 7867816, karl.larsson@umu.se. You can also contact the head of department Åke Brännström for additional questions at ake.brannstrom@umu.se.

More information about the department: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-mathematics-and-mathematical-statistics/