Postdoctoral Researcher

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The Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science,

is looking for candidates for

Postdoctoral Researcher (0.8-1.0 fte)

Vacancy number 21-617

For the research project AssetDrive, we are looking for a candidate with strong Data Science skills to work with various forms of sensor data collected in vessels produced and/or operated by Dutch shipyards. The sensor data provides information on various operating parameters of the ships, and insights collected from this data could help to optimize the operation of the ship (for example to reduce the fuel consumption or reduce carbon emissions) or to improve the reliability of the ship by means of predictive maintenance (modeling how components failures are influenced by operational aspects of the ship and early indicators of failures in the raw sensor data). The project is a collaboration between the universities of Leiden, Delft and Amsterdam, and the postdoctoral researcher is expected to work together with marine experts from TU Delft to translate domain knowledge about the ships’ (sub)systems into productive data science approaches. The project has already been running for several years, and interesting results have already been obtained, which the candidate can use to produce new results efficiently.

Key responsibilities

• Conducting research in the field of Data Science with application in maritime data.
• Collaborating with academic and commercial partners in the AssetDrive project.
• Publishing strong research results either as first author or by contributing to joint papers with project partners.
• Reporting on the (intermediate) findings within the project.
• Supervising BSc, MSc, and/or PhD students;
• Contributing to organizational activities of the Institute.

Selection Criteria

• Ph.D. degree in Data Science or a closely related field or about to receive a PhD.
• Expertise in time series analysis, dealing with practical data in real-life applications (missing data, mixed sampling rate, intermittent sampling).
• Expertise with (multi-objective) optimization problems appreciated.
• Strong publication record.
• Team spirit/collaboration attitude preferred.

Research at our faculty and institute

The Leiden Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is diverse, ranging from artificial intelligence, computer science, mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and almost 5,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see https://www.science.leidenuniv.nl .

The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute of the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. We offer courses at the Bachelor and Master of Science level in the core areas of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, and Data Science, and also in the interdisciplinary areas of ICT in Business, Media Technology and Creative science and Bioinformatics. According to an independent research visitation, we are one of the foremost computer science departments of the Netherlands. We strive for excellence in a caring institute, where excellence, fun, and inclusiveness go hand in hand. We offer a clear and inviting career path to young and talented scientists with the ambition to grow. For more information about LIACS, see https://www.cs.leiden.edu

The city of Leiden

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. Leiden is a lively and beautiful city with a central location in Europe, at only 17 minutes from Schiphol International Airport. It is a very international city where almost everybody speaks English, candidates need not be afraid of the language barrier. Leiden is a typical historic university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. Today, with some 27,000 students, 5,500 staff, 16 Nobel prizes, more than 100 nationalities and a budget of more than 550 million Euros, it is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Europe. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia.

Terms and conditions

Starting in the first half of 2022, we offer a full-time (80-100%), 9-month fixed term position. Salary ranges from €2.836.- to €4.474.- gross per month for a full-time position as postdoctoral researcher (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see https://workingat.leiden.edu/

Work-life balance

Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. LIACS strives for excellence in a caring Institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequent varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with a driven yet friendly culture. In the Netherlands, a maternity allowance is standard for 16 weeks. Child care is available at and near the Bio Science Park.

Information and application

Enquiries can be made to Dr. Arno Knobbe, email [email protected] . If you want to apply for this position, please send the below information to Maaike Veldkamp, email [email protected] , telephone +31 70 527 4799. Written applications using the vacancy number and including:

• a short application letter summarizing your background and motivation to apply.
• a full CV including a list of publications and a link to your Google Scholar page with h-index;
• pdf’s or links to key publications and PhD thesis;
• names and addresses of at least two persons that can be contacted for reference (who have agreed to be contacted)

should be submitted no later than December 15th 2021 to: Leiden University, Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Attn. dr. Arno Knobbe.

The selection procedure will take place in January 2022, and selected candidates will be invited for an interview in this period, during which you are kindly requested to be available.

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