Doctoral Research Fellow (Ph.D.) in Machine Learning for Text Mining

A Doctoral Research Fellowship in Machine Learning for Text Mining is available at the Faculty of Computer Sciences, Engineering and Economics at Østfold University College (ØUC).

The Doctoral Research Fellowship is associated with the project Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Assessment for Learning (AfL) to Improve Learning and Teaching in 21st Century (AI4AfL) funded by the Norwegian Research Council.

The AI4AfL project aims to develop new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that is able to analyse written texts and provide various types of automatic feedback. The main computational challenge stems from the unstructured and language-specific nature of text data to extract syntactic, semantic and sentimental features that will represent the quality of written essays. The project will produce explainable machine learning models for automatic grading of essays and providing feedback to improve writing skills. The project will also develop new knowledge about how teachers organise and facilitate AfL practices with AI technology to enhance students’ capacity in learning to learn. The research in the project will provide a broader insight among teachers, school owners and teacher educators into how AfL practices supported by AI technology may contribute to the development of students’ understanding about what it means to learn in English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) writing classes. In doing so, the project will offer an approach to develop students’ capacity in learning to learn.

The Doctoral Research Fellowship is a full time (100%) fixed term position for 3 years and funded by the Norwegian Research Council (50%) and Østfold University College (50%).

Starting date: 01.08.2022 

The candidate is expected to apply and be accepted to a Doctoral Programme in another accredited Norwegian Institution prior to this date. The successful candidate will receive assistance in the application process to the Doctoral Programme. 

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the Project Leader Professor Irina Engeness or Associate Professor Hasan Ogul concerning the details of the AI4AfL project. For other information, please contact Human Resources.

• Completed a Master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits according to Norwegian standard definitions) within the field of Computer Science or similar. The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in terms of the Norwegian grading scale
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

  For international candidates (outside of EU/EEA area), approved TOEFL English proficiency test with min score 90 or IELTS test with min. score 7.5

• Solid programming skills
• Documented knowledge in machine learning methods, tools and platforms

Emphasis will be placed on the following:

• Prior academic output (papers in journals/conferences and citations)
• Relevant work experience (if applicable)
• Relevant background in machine learning, deep learning, text mining and natural language processing
• The applicant’s own ideas of research themes and research design that would be relevant for the project proposal
• Good communication and collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities

Currently ØUC does not offer a Doctoral Programme. Consequently, the selected candidate must be admitted to a Doctoral Programme at another institution. The application process will be assisted by the Faculty of Computer Sciences, Engineering and Economics. Admission to a Doctoral Programme is a condition for appointment as a Research Fellow.  

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the State Employees law, the act relating to Universities and Universities Colleges and the national guidelines for appointment as a Ph.D. student, a postdoctoral fellow or a research assistant.

Depending on qualifications and relevant experience, Ph.D. candidates will be placed in the Norwegian government pay scale position code “1017 Ph.D. student” (491.200 - 534.400 NOK per year) and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

The appointment process and the conditions of employment will follow national guidelines for University and University College PhD scholars.

In order to apply, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button . You will need to create an account, if you do not have one already, in order to log on.

Application must include the following:

• Letter of Intent that includes your qualifications, motivation for the advertised position and ideas for the project proposal
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications (if applicable). Include a short description of your contribution in multi-authored publications.
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts of academic records (all certified and translated to English if not awarded in the Scandinavian region)

All attachments should be included electronically within the application deadline. Other documentation may be claimed at a later stage, e.g. proof of claimed English proficiency.

Østfold University College is a state university college with around 7800 students and 620 employees. The University College’s academic communities are organised into three major faculties: The Faculty of Health, Welfare and Organisation, the Faculty of Teacher Education and Languages, and the Faculty of Computer Science, Engineering and Economics. We are located in Fredrikstad and Halden and have a broad portfolio of studies ranging from vocational programmes of study to arts programmes, both at bachelor’s and master’s level.

The University College is experiencing positive growth and has an ambitious strategy for the future, including the establishment of an interdisciplinary doctoral programme called ‘Digitalisation and Society’, delivering outstanding educational programmes that are socially relevant, and strengthening interaction with trade and industry and society – both in education and research.

We are looking for applicants who are passionate about developing Østfold University College and want to contribute to building an attractive, competent and future-oriented educational environment.

For more information about Østfold University College, visit our website at https://www.hiof.no/english/