PhD student in Computing Science with focus on Hybrid-AI: automated reasoning and machine learning

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is  nearby. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably.

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The Department of Computing Science is now looking for a Doctoral student in Computing Science with a focus on Hybrid-AI: automated reasoning and machine learning.

The department has been growing rapidly in recent years. An inclusive and participatory environment are key elements in our growth. The 60 doctoral students within the department are a diverse group from different nationalities, backgrounds and fields. We offer very good employment conditions, and administrative and technical support, among other benefits. See more information at:
https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/

Is this interesting for you? Welcome with your application before 5 Nov 2024.

Project description

Hybrid AI (HAI) systems are the next wave of AI which integrate the fundamental cognitive abilities of intelligent agents: being able to learn from their environment, reasoning about what has been learned and sharing the acquired knowledge. In HAI systems, machine learning approaches can extract observations and relations from the environment that allow reasoning (i.e. learning to reason). Moreover, semantic models of expert knowledge can be used to explain the learning occurred from observing the environment (i.e. reasoning about the learnt). Thus, HAI systems will develop a deeper understanding of the dynamic environments where we people live, enabling an easier human-machine interaction.

This 4-year PhD project is funded by the Wallenberg foundation, WASP program. You will work at the Computing Science Dep. supervised by Assoc. Prof. Zoe Falomir. This group conducts research in automated reasoning, machine learning, spatial cognition and cognitive issues of human-systems interaction. We collaborate with several national and international research groups. We use principles and methods of AI, Human-Robot-Interaction, and Cognitive Science.

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. It addresses research on AI 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 AI, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish industry. More: https://wasp-sweden.org/

WASP has its own graduate school with an ambitious program including study trips to USA/Asia to visit other research labs/industries, and actively supporting multi-disciplinary and international professional networks between PhD-students, researchers, and industry. More: https://wasp-sweden.org/graduate-school

Admission requirements

The general admission requirements for doctoral studies are 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.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in computing science, the applicant is required to have completed at least 90 ECTS credits in computing science. Applicants who otherwise have acquired skills that are deemed equivalent are also eligible.

Documented expertise in the following topics of interest is a requirement:

• Automated logical reasoning (i.e. inductive/deductive/abductive reasoning), and
• Machine learning (i.e. declarative/non-declarative/supervised/unsupervised/reinforcement learning)

Extra merit will be given to those candidates that have focused in:

• approaches that bridge both topics: neurosymbolic AI, Logic Explained Networks, Logic Tensor Networks, etc.
• cognitive systems (cognitive architectures, educative games, biosignal sensors, etc.) or cognitive robotics.

Important personal qualities are, besides creativity and critical thinking, good skills in problem solving, interest in interdisciplinary research, the ability to work both independently and in a group, and experience in scientific interaction with researchers from other disciplines and in other countries.

We expect an ability to work both independently and in a team. The working language in the group (and at the department) will be English.

About the position

The position provides you with the opportunity to pursue PhD studies in Computing Science for four years, with the goal of achieving the degree of Doctor in Computing Science. While the position is mainly devoted to PhD studies (at least 80% of the time), it may include up to 20% department service (usually teaching). If so, the total time for the position is extended accordingly, resulting in a maximum of five years.

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.

The expected starting date is January 2025 or as agreed.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University.

A complete application should contain the following documents:

• A cover letter including: (i) a description of your research interests, (ii) your ideas for this PhD project, (iii) and your contact information.
• A curriculum vitae, including names of 2 academic referees who may be contacted.
• Original certificate and official transcript for Bachelor’s Degree.
• Original certificate and official transcript for Master’s Degree.
• Copy of the Bachelor thesis.
• Copy of the Master thesis.
• Copy of relevant publications, if any.
• Website portfolio (Github, Gitlab, etc.), if any.
• Documentation and description of other relevant experiences or competences.

The application must be written in English/Swedish. Attached documents must be in pdf format. Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University, and be received no later than 2024-11-05.

The Department of Computing Science values gender diversity, and therefore particularly encourages women and those outside the gender binary to apply for the position.

For additional information, please contact Associate Professor Zoe Falomir (zfalomir@cs.umu.se).

We look forward to receiving your application!