Assistant Professor in Computing Science with a focus on knowledge-based AI methods - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Computing Science (https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/)  is hiring an assistant professor in knowledge-based AI methods, funded by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP). Application deadline is 2024-06-18.

Background

The department is home to a broad range of research and competence in different areas of Artificial Intelligence research. Logic- and knowledge-based methods, techniques and their practical realization are fundamental for many of them. Thus, we now plan to strengthen our competence in knowledge-based AI and in this way, also create stronger collaboration opportunities between different research areas at the department.

The position is financed by and comes with a substantial recruitment package from the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP). The package includes funding for two PhD students (four years each) and two post docs (two years each) in addition to running costs.

Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. The program addresses research on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems.

The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish industry.

Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/.

Duties

Your duties as Assistant Professor mainly include research and teaching, but may also include tasks in administration, academic leadership, and industry collaboration. For the first 5 years, you are guaranteed 80% research time and 20% for teaching and administration; year six will be 75% research and 25% teaching and administration. After this 6-year period, and given a successful promotion, the distribution between research and teaching may change over time depending on needs and available resources.

Your research will be in the area logic and reasoning in AI. We expect your research to focus on logic-based reasoning systems, argumentation, ontologies, reasoning under uncertainty, and rational agents.

We encourage collaboration with industry and society. We expect that the successful candidate will develop synergies between different research groups at the department, in particular in the area of AI.

In teaching, you will mostly develop and give courses in the area logic and reasoning, together with other teachers. You may also supervise thesis work. Teaching in courses on basic level may also occur.

Eligibility requirements

According to Chapter 4, Section 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance: A person qualified for appointment as an Assistant professor is a person who has been awarded a PhD or has the corresponding research expertise. Primary consideration should be given to a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise within five years prior to the deadline for application for employment as an Assistant professor. However, a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as an Assistant professor shall be the degree of such expertise required as a qualification for employment.

Thereafter the degree of pedagogical expertise as well as administrative and other experience of significance with regard to the employment’s research field and the employment tasks that may be included in the position. 

Scientific expertise

Scientific expertise shall be demonstrated through independent scientific productivity. The criteria for assessment are:

• Breadth and depth of research – quality and extent
• Originality in research
• Productivity
• Contributions to the international research community
• Commissions of trust within the research community
• Ability to competitively obtain research funding
• Collaboration with the surrounding community

Research needs to be in the area of logic and reasoning in Artificial Intelligence.

Pedagogical expertise

The criteria for evaluation of pedagogical expertise are:

• ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and an ability to supervise and examine students at every level of education
• ability to vary teaching methods and examination forms in relation to anticipated study results and the nature of the subject
• experience of collaboration with the surrounding society in planning and implementation of education
• participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources
• a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher

Pedagogical expertise can be attained through education in university pedagogy, other education of relevance for teaching at a university level or documented and proven experience teaching at the university level.

Experience in teaching in the areas of logic and reasoning is a merit.

Other assessment criteria

A general basis for assessment for all teaching categories is both good cooperative skills and the expertise and suitability in general required to complete the work duties satisfactorily.

The criteria for evaluation of administrative expertise are:

• Participation in working groups or committees (department, faculty or university level)
• Experiences of collaboration outside the academy
• Experience of organizing research and educational activities
• Experience in collaboration with industry is a merit.    

Assessment criteria and their weight

In the selection of candidates, the degree of research expertise shall be decisive. In addition, the degree of educational expertise as well as administrative and other competences of importance shall be taken into account with regard to the subject content of the employment and the duties to be included in the employment. 

Further details

As an employee at Umeå University, you're offered a wide variety of benefits that promote a good work- life balance, read more about benefits here.

Application

When you apply, we ask you to answer questions in Varbi. These questions replace a cover letter from you. The application should preferably be written in English, and include the following items:

1. CV/Umu Application form
   Fill in the required application template (word).  Submit it attached to your application in the Varbi system as your CV.  The following information must be provided in the application form:
   • basic information (contact details, employment and education history)
   • an account of research experience (including a list of articles published and a brief research plan)
   • an account of pedagogical experience and activities
   • an account of experiences of developing and managing activities and staff
   • an account of experiences regarding interacting with the surrounding society and popularizing science
   • references, including contact details
2. Copies of relevant university degrees and diplomas
3. Copies of five research publications relevant to the position, numbered according to the publication list
4. Attachments to a pedagogical portfolio (see p. 3.5 in Umu Application form).

Instructions and descriptions of assessment criteria

Applications should be made via e-recruitment system Varbi and be received no later than 2024-06-18.

Applying for promotion to Associate professor

As assistant professor, upon request, can be promoted to Associate professor if he or she meets the requirements for employment as an Associate professor and upon review is determined to meet the qualifications for such employment according to the evaluation criteria that shall be applied for promotion to Associate professor. This promotion entails a permanent position as Associate professor.

The application for promotion shall be submitted six months before the fixed-term appointment ends. If an Assistant professor after evaluation is not promoted, the fixed-term appointment ends.

Established criteria for promotion can be found in the employment profile decided by the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology on May 21st 2024.