2022DILEUA126 Predoctoral Researcher

Job position

Predoctoral Researcher

Job position requirements (skills/languages/required experience)

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who holds a Master of Science in Math, Statistics, Informatic, Physic or Engineering.

The selected candidate will carry out research on automatic identification of phytoliths using artificial intelligence and digital microscopy.

The research goals include: 1) establishing the best strategy for phytoliths identification; 2) train and test deep learning algorithms; 3) identify neotropical phytoliths on samples extracted from archaeological sites and paleosol. Phytoliths are biogenic silica bodies that can be used to reconstruct past use of plants. The PhD student will be responsible for one of the work packages of DEMODRIVERS and for the use and maintenance of a digital scanner Olympus VS200. The PhD student will be required to develop the best workflow for phytoliths analysis and data storage and access. S/he will be responsible for the training and verification of the AI algorithm. In periods of high volume of samples being processed for phytoliths extraction, the PhD student could be asked to help in the lab. S/He is expected to publish at least 3 papers in well-known scientific journals by the end of the 4 years position.

Benefits

You will be part of a team of academic researchers working on state-of-the-art technologies in Geoarchaeology.

You will be co-supervised by Prof. Luigi Palopoli expert in computer vision and by Dr. Michael Kloster expert in digital microscopy.

You will have the chance to contribute to and participate in the international research community.

We are located in Barcelona, Spain, one of the most enjoyable cities worldwide.

You will be affiliated to the Institute of Science and Environmental Technology (ICTA-UAB), one of the most prestigious research centres in Spain.

You will have a 4 years contract with a salary of 21.000 € during the first 3 years and 23.064,24€ for the fourth year, plus financial support to attend training courses and international conferences.

Eligibility criteria: Academic curricula; experience with database management and large data handling; computer vision and image processing; AI training and testing; proficiency in English.

Academic record (35)

Relevant Research Experience (15)

Motivation (10)

Interview (30)

Language skills (10)

Selection process:

We expect to interview shortlisted candidates (in person or via Zoom/Skype) within 21 working days after the application deadline.

Starting date between 1/3/2023 and 30/4/2023.

The selection committee reserves the right to not fill this position if no suitable candidate is identified.