WASP AI Program: PhD position in Mathematical Statistics or Computational Science - 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 mathematical statistics or computational science with a specialization in mathematical statistics, focused on the interplay between optimization and machine learning. The position is for four years of doctoral studies, including participation in research and postgraduate courses. The last day to apply is May 15, 2022.

Project description and tasks
The interplay between optimization and machine learning is the cornerstone of many important advances in inference systems and artificial intelligence in the last decade. The vast majority of machine learning applications are modeled and solved as an optimization problem. To accommodate the increasing complexity of problem models along with massive amounts of data, machine learning entails the development of new optimization methods. In contrast to the traditional black-box optimization framework, an end-to-end view of modeling and optimization is central to these novel algorithms. 

Broadly speaking, the objective of this doctoral project is to develop new principles and algorithms to expand the practical and theoretical frontiers of optimization and machine learning. This project explores stochastic approximation and randomized linear algebra to introduce new methods effective for high-dimensional problems and potentially explore their applications in statistical, deep neural networks, and reinforcement learning. 

The project is part of the AI/MLX 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.

Qualifications
The PhD student will be admitted to third-cycle studies in either mathematical statistics (MS) or computational science and engineering (CSE) with specialization in mathematical statistics.

To be admitted for studies at the third-cycle level, the applicant is required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level, or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.

For third-cycle studies in mathematical statistics, the applicant is required to have completed at least 60 credits within the field of mathematical statistics, statistics and mathematics, of which at least 15 credits shall have been acquired at the 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 the 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. 

Applicants who in some other system either within Sweden or abroad have acquired largely equivalent skills are also eligible.

Programming skills (preferably MatLab or Python) are required. Good knowledge of English language, both written and spoken, are key requirements. Documented knowledge and experience in optimization and machine learning are merits.

You are expected to play an active role in developing this doctoral project and in the department. You are expected to have a scientific and result-oriented approach to your work. You should therefore have excellent communication and collaboration ability. You are structured, flexible and solution-oriented.

The assessments of the applicants are based on their qualifications and their ability to benefit from the doctoral-level education they will receive.

About the employment
The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree. The main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, including participation in research and doctoral 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 the equivalent of four years of full-time (48 months) or up to five years for teaching part-time. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary levels for PhD position. The employment starts in the fall of 2022 or according to an agreement.

Application
You apply via our e-recruitment system Varbi. Log in and apply via the button at the bottom of the page. The deadline for applications is May 15, 2022.

A complete application should contain the following documents:

• a personal letter with a brief description of your qualifications and research interests. Motivate why you are applying for the employment and describe how your qualifications and merits are relevant to the employment,
• a curriculum vitae,
• authenticated copies of degree certificates, diplomas or equivalent, including documentation of completed academic courses, grades obtained, and possibly other certificates,
• copies of relevant work such as Master’s thesis or articles that you have authored or co-authored. If the master thesis has not been completed before the application deadline, a summary of the master thesis project and current progress shall be included. The summary can be at most five pages, including figures and references (font size 11).
• contact information for at least two reference persons.

Applicants with a degree not from a Swedish university are encouraged to provide results obtained from GMAT (and/or GRE) and TOEFL/IELTS tests if available.

The Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics values ​​the qualities that an even gender distribution brings to the department, and therefore we particularly 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 Assistant Professor Alp Yurtsever alp.yurtsever@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/

We look forward to receiving your application!