PhD scholarship in Anomaly Detection and Root Cause Analysis in Cable Broadband Networks

Field service technicians at TDC NET drive approximately 80,000 kilometres every day, the equivalent of circling the Earth twice. Do you want to improve the efficiency of field service by developing a software platform that will optimize demand management, remote resolution and routing?

Then the GREENFORCE project might interest you. The platform will decrease kilometres driven by technicians, thus decreasing cost and CO2 emissions. GREENFORCE is a partnership between DTU Management Engineering, DTU Compute, Softwarehouse Qampo, and TDC NET, Denmark’s biggest supplier of digital infrastructure.

The project will develop mathematical models (including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) for anomaly detection and improved root cause analysis. The resulting information and insight will contribute with input to another main task of GreenForce; the use of Operations Research (OR)) and Decision Science to develop improved dispatching algorithms for field service. The main objectives are: Improved predictive maintenance, Enhanced remote resolution to identify problems remotely, and (3) Optimal route planning and task scheduling to reduce driving time and increase service level.

Responsibilities and tasks
We are looking for ambitious candidates for a PhD project (3-year, full-time). The project will focus on Anomaly Detection and Root Cause Determination. You will develop algorithms and models to analyze monitored data obtained from cable broadband networks combined with data related to handling of customer tickets. Feature generation/detection from time series analysis must be combined with insight from the tickets to detect and predict anomalies and provide reasoning about possible root causes. Various machine learning methods will be assessed towards their applicability and advanced to tackle the domain specific challenges. Furthermore, you will develop suitable visualization tools for problem identification and diagnostics.   

The PhD position will be hosted at DTU Compute, but interact closely with DTU Management Engineering, which is responsible for the Route Planning development of the project. You will collaborate closely with decision scientists at Qampo and TDC NET, including a co-location with the partners in either Copenhagen or Århus, depending on your preference and suitability.  

Qualifications
You should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

You are required to possess a M.Sc. degree in mathematical modelling, including Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics or another closely related field. In addition, the following set of competencies would be ideal:

• Experience in developing algorithms for ML, AI and Statistics.
• Experience in data mining and cleansing
• Good programming skills in R, Python and/or Matlab (experience with TensorFlow or Pytorch will be considered a plus)
• Good project management skills
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Fluent in English, spoken as well as written
• Some basic knowledge of Operations Research and Route Planning would be good, to improve collaboration with other work packages

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by representatives from DTU Compute.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 February 2022 or according to mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .  

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor, Bjarne Ersbøll (DTU), tel.: +45 4525 3413, email: [email protected] or Associate Professor Andreas Baum, email: [email protected] , tel.: +45 4283 1804.  

You can read more about DTU Compute at www.compute.dtu.dk/english . 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .  

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than19 December 2021 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here )
• A research statement (2-3 pages) explaining your ideas and relevant literature

Applicants not providing all the above material will not be considered.

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Compute
DTU Compute is a unique and internationally recognized academic department with 385 employees and 11 research sections spanning the science disciplines mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. We conduct research, teaching and innovation of high international standard – producing new knowledge and technology-based solutions to societal challenges. We have a long-term involvement in applied and interdisciplinary research, big data and data science, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), smart and secure societies, smart manufacturing, and life science. At DTU Compute we believe in a diverse workplace with a flexible work-life balance.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.